2018 Citroen C3 Aircross Overseas Preview Drive | Citroen’s Small SUV Gets Serious About Its Playful Side
The SUV, universally adored around the world, has finally taken an unrelenting hold on Europe, driving manufacturers like Citroen to ditch their compact and space efficient mini MPVs in favour of more adventurous compact SUVs.
The new Citroen C3 Aircross has been designed with global appeal in mind and takes the place of the roomy C4 Picasso minivan in the manufacturer’s range. The goal is to create a vehicle with genuine sales growth potential for the brand, and with the rampant success of small crossover vehicles that won’t be hard to do.
Citroen invited TMR to Corsica, off the southeast coast of France, to experience the brand’s newest compact model - the latest in a revitalised range of compact Citroen models.
Vehicle Style: Small SUV
Price: $35,000 (estimated) plus on-road costs
Engine/trans: 81kW/205Nm 1.2-litre 3cyl turbo petrol | 6sp automatic
Fuel Economy Claimed: 5.6 l/100km
OVERVIEW
The new Citroen C3 Aircross wears a familiar face, part of the brand's new design direction, with themes adapted from cars like the C4 Cactus and new C3 hatch. As an SUV it also stands taller, more upright, and wears the usual plastic protective cladding expected of the class.
Personalisation is the key, which is why mix and match colourways for the main body, roof, and accents (including the roof rails, headlight surrounds, and C-pillar louvres) are available in everything from subtle white and silver to searing high-vis orange.