We live in an era when even the least expected things can let out an upcoming car design, as scale models in this case!
Citroen had started its India operations in April this year by launching the C5 Aircross flagship SUV. With the first offering priced at a premium, we knew that the French giant would bring in a more accessible small car soon. Citroen insiders had then hinted at placing a compact SUV as their second product for India. In the time ahead, we came to know that the compact SUV would be named C3 Aircross and would be a completely made-in-India product, unlike the C5. Also, a number of spy pictures of camo mules undergoing rigorous road tests had surfaced as well.
However, now the design highlights of the Citroen C3 have been exposed in detail, in the most unsuspecting way ! Autocar India has leaked a number of images of the promotional scale models of the C3 prior to the official unveil. From the images, the C3 final design seems to stand close to the earlier renders and images.
Design Highlights
The overall shape appears to be quirky and stylish. There is a pronounced air of ‘SUV-ness’ in the overall design. The grille appears wide and the dual-layered headlamps remind you of the bigger C5. The SUV gets flat bonnet, raked windshield, black cladding, blacked out pillars and roof rails etc. The roofline tapers slightly towards the rear and there are dual-tone diamond-cut alloy wheels as well.
The tailgate design appears upright and the tail lamps are rectangular. The overall rear design would remind you of the C5 Aircross in many parts. Plus, there are a few cues borrowed from it, like the faux muffler- like elements finished in Orange, on the sides, and dual-tone bumpers.
Expected Engines And Powertrains
Though details are scarce at the moment, the Citroen C3 would be built on Group PSA’s Common Modular Platform (CMP) and is expected to come with 1.2L turbo petrol 1.2 naturally aspirated petrol engines, and going by earlier reports by Autocar India, it will have no diesels! Group PSA manufactures a 1.5L diesel engine at their facility in Hosur. But as per a statement made by Citroen India earlier, it is likely to offer just petrol engines on the C-cubed range for India, of which the C3 Aircross forms a part.
Launch And Other Details
As per the sources, Citroen C3 Aircross is hoped to make its global premiere soon. This car would be made in India, for the global markets. The model is known by the C21 name in India now and is known to launch here later this year.
Source: AutoCar india Image source
