The new all-electric Citroën ë-C3 is unveiled, will cost 23,300 euros

The new all-electric Citroën ë-C3 was unveiled today as the “first affordable European electric car.” The vehicle is completely redefining the rulebook for B-segment vehicles designed and built in the Old Continent. More specifically, the new ë-C3 is the first all-electric B-segment vehicle developed and built in Europe with a starting price of 23,300 euros.

For the first time in the history of the C3, Citroën is equipping all versions of the all-new, all-electric C3 with the innovative Citroën Advanced Comfort suspension as standard. Invisible to the driver and passengers, but essential for ride comfort, is the well-known Advanced Comfort suspension. In this system, two progressive hydraulic shock absorbers are used in conjunction with the shock absorber and spring instead of mechanical stops – one for compression, the other for decompression (or rebound).

The spacious interior has been designed around refined finishes to provide occupants with an ambiance similar to that of their living room or lounge. The completely redesigned Citroën Advanced Comfort seats of the ë-C3 are tailored to the vehicle and use additional foam to provide a welcoming and soft feeling from the first contact. The seats have a thick special foam. Occupants feel like they’re sitting in a comfortable armchair that keeps them in place and isolates them from the bumps of the road. The high-density foam in the core of the seats ensures optimal comfort, especially on longer journeys.

It continues with the completely reimagined interior design, which gives front seat occupants 30mm more headroom for a higher driving position with an improved sense of control and safety. The new ë-C3 is more spacious inside in almost every dimension than its predecessor, despite being only 19mm longer and 6mm wider. The rear elbow room is 19mm and the front elbow room is 21mm higher than the average market, while the rear seat knee room is the best in its class, at least 20mm more than average.

The s[spacious interior offers plenty of useful and smart storage space in the door panels, centre console and under the centre armrest, while a wireless charging station is available for the centre console (standard on the “Max” versions). The 60-40 modularity of the rear seat backrest and a width of 1,015 mm between the rear wheel arches ensure that larger items can be transported when needed. The boot capacity of 310 litres (+10 litres compared to the old C3) should be enough for most shopping trips.

With a height of 1.57m (excluding roof rails), the ë-C3 is taller than its predecessor and benefits from SUV-style ground clearance to make it easier to get in and out and provide a safer ride over bumps, curbs and potholes that are often encountered when driving in the city. The ground clearance of the all-electric ë-C3 is 163 mm, compared to 135 mm of ground clearance for the previous model.

For the first time in the Stellantis Group, the cost-effective, BEV-native platform uses a 44 kWh LFP (lithium ferrophosphate) battery pack to provide a WLTP range of up to 320 km and the 100 kW DC fast charging capability allows charging from 20 to 80 percent of capacity in 26 minutes. Standard AC charging from 20% to 80% takes around 4 hours at 7 kW or 2 hours 50 minutes if 11 kW is available.

With the 83 kW (113 hp) electric motor and the fully automatic transmission, the car accelerates from 11 to 0 km/h in around 100 seconds and with a top speed of 135 km/h, the new ë-C3 offers enough power to cope with daily journeys and traffic, especially in urban and suburban traffic. Connected navigation with the new ë-ROUTES app ensures that travel times are shortened and a more reliable “live” charging network is always available.

Setting new standards for interior design was a primary goal. The new ë-C3 features the C-Zen Lounge, an innovative, spacious and well-equipped interior that – as you would expect from Citroën – reinvents the traditional dashboard and offers a high level of comfort.

With the introduction of the C-Zen Lounge, the driver and front passenger will be able to enjoy a clear view of the front thanks to the large windscreen and the horizontal bezel that graphically extends across the entire vehicle and is flanked by Citroën’s signature vertical air outlets. The panel is divided into two different levels, with the technical elements at the top and a cozy fabric-covered section in “Sofa Design Style” below, which adds warmth and visual character to the cockpit while enhancing the feeling of comfort.

A real innovation is the absence of a traditional instrument cluster. For the first time, the new all-electric ë-C3 features a new Citroën head-up display, which projects vehicle information onto a glossy black area between the top of the dashboard and the bottom of the windscreen. This smart solution ensures that there is no duplicate information, as would normally be the case between a head-up display system and an instrument cluster, and ensures that the driver can easily access all the important information they need without taking their eyes off the road. The compact new multifunction steering wheel is smaller and easier to handle, and can be adjusted in height and distance, helping to keep the Citroën head-up display in view during operation.

A 10.25-inch colour infotainment screen floats in the centre of the front end, while the “My Citroën Play with Smartphone Station” level is offered as standard, with a dedicated app for owners of the “You” model to access music, radio, calls and navigation via their own device.

Despite being a small car, the all-electric ë-C3 puts a lot of emphasis on connected infotainment that focuses on occupant ease of use and quick access to smart, useful features that customers need to travel easily and live their connected lives seamlessly.

Instinctive steering wheel controls and a “home” button on all versions ensure a stress-free experience for the driver behind the wheel. The infotainment system is available in two variants – My Citroën PLay and My Citroën Drive. There are two levels of Connected Services subscriptions to get the most out of the system and the MyCitroën app. Both trim levels and the corresponding infotainment system versions (My Citroën Play with Smartphone Station and My Citroën Drive with 10-inch touchscreen) are compatible with the Citroën e-ROUTES app.

The new ë-C3 offers a comprehensive collection of driver assistance technologies such as Activa Safety Brake, Driver Attention Alert, Activa Lane Keeping Assist, Speed Limit Detection, Electronic parking brake, Auto High-Beam Assist, Rea parking, sensors, etc.

The ë-C3 will be available to its European customers in two well-equipped versions – “You” and “Max”. The entry-level version “You” is starting at 23,300 euros and comes standard with LED front headlights, Citroën Advanced Comfort suspension, Active Safety Brake (emergency braking system), new Citroën head-up display, “My Citroën Play with Smartphone Station” for infotainment, electric exterior mirrors, automatic lighting, rear parking sensors, cruise control, air conditioning and 6 airbags.

Citroën ë-C3 Max also features 17-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, a two-tone paint finish with a contrasting roof, LED taillights, Citroën Advanced Comfort seats, tinted rear side windows & rear window, automatic climate control, reversing camera, 10.25-inch colour touchscreen with wireless connection to Apple Carplay and Android Auto, 3D navigation, wireless charging, a leather-look steering wheel and a 60/40 folding rear bench seat. An optional “Winter Package” offers a heated windscreen, heated front seats and a heated steering wheel.

The all-new ë-C3 is offered in a choice of 5 distinctive and high-quality paint colours – Polar White, Monte-Carlo Blue, Elixir Red, Mercury Grey and Perla Nera Black. Citroën’s signature two-tone contrasting roof is offered to customers in the “Max” version as standard in black or white.