The launch of Citroen's upcoming sub-compact SUV has been pushed to 2022. Originally, it was supposed to arrive near the festive season this year.
This Hyundai Venue rivaling is expected to be named C3 in the Indian market. Unlike the C5 Aircross, the C3 will be a heavily localized product. It will underpin the Common Modular Platform (CMP), developed by Groupe PSA and Chinese automaker Dongfeng. This platform is designed for various compact body styles like compact B segment cars, entry-level and mid-range C segment sedans, and compact SUVs. It can accommodate both gasoline and diesel engines as well as hybrid and electric powertrains.
For those who aren't aware, the French maker has already started testing the C3 SUV on Indian soils. And thanks to the numerous spy shots and recently leaked scale model images, we have a fair idea about its exterior design. It will feature typical Citroen design elements such as a large chrome-finished grille, a split headlamp setup, two-tone bumpers, an upright stance, and heavy black cladding around the car.
Similar to its UK-spec model, the India-bound C3 is likely to be 3.99m long with a generous cargo space of 300-liters. While its's interior details are yet to be revealed, the C3 is expected to be the segment's most feature-rich offering, which will help the SUV to stand out in the hotly contested sub-4-meter segment.
Powering the Citroen C3 could be a 1.2-liter turbocharged petrol engine, paired with manual and automatic transmissions. There won’t be any diesel engines on offer. However, reports are suggesting that it could feature a flex-fuel system.
Once launched, the Citroen C3 will take on the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, Toyota Urban Cruiser, Tata Nexon, Kia Sonet, Ford EcoSport, Hyundai Venue, Mahindra XUV300, Renault Kiger, and Nissan Magnite.
