New Citroen e-C3 EV to be Revealed on October 17

author: FutureCar Staff    

Citroen is set to introduce the new e-C3, which is expected to be one of the most affordable electric cars in the UK. The CEO, Thierry Koskas, believes that the e-C3 will stand out in the market due to its three main attributes: being made in Europe, offering all the features that buyers expect, and having a price tag under 25,000 euros.

The e-C3 is scheduled to be launched at the beginning of 2024 and will be built on a cost-focused platform. The pricing structure will also be designed to reduce haggling, ensuring a fair deal for customers. With a starting price of under 25,000 euros, the e-C3 could be significantly cheaper than its competitors, such as Vauxhall's Corsa Electric.

Citroen has released a teaser video alongside the announcement, urging people to "forget everything you know about electric cars." The video provides a glimpse of the e-C3's design, showcasing bold head- and tail-light features reminiscent of the Citroen Oli concept.

The new e-C3 is expected to have a range of over 300km (186 miles) and will be approximately four meters in length, similar to the existing C3. It will be based on Stellantis's 'Smart Platform,' which is a cost-focused evolution of the existing CMP and e-CMP architectures. This platform has been successful in India and South America, allowing for a competitive price point.

The battery capacity and performance details have not been disclosed yet. However, it has been confirmed that the e-C3 will be manufactured at Stellantis's factory in Trnava, Slovakia, alongside Peugeot's 208. While it remains uncertain if a combustion-engined version will be offered alongside the electric variant, the possibility exists based on other Smart Platform models.

Citroen's positioning as a defense against Chinese manufacturers entering the European market is a significant aspect for Stellantis. The CEO acknowledges the challenge but emphasizes the brand's ability to compete in terms of production costs and sales network. Citroen aims to increase its market share in Europe to five percent and have 30 percent of its global sales outside of Europe.

Unlike Dacia's fixed-price offering, Citroen will still allow some flexibility and incentives for customers. However, the brand's goal is to provide fair pricing that is transparent, ensuring that the listed price is close to the actual price paid by customers.

After its unveiling in October, the e-C3 is expected to be available for sale in the first quarter of 2024. Additionally, a larger SUV version of the existing C3 Aircross is planned for release next year to address the demand for a bigger car in the B-segment SUV market.

For those interested in superminis, check out our list of the best options currently available in the UK.

FutureCar Staff