Citroen C3 Aircross SUV India Debut Tomorrow: What to Expect

Citroen has announced that the most recent C3 Aircross will make its debut in India tomorrow. This will mark the introduction of the SUV to the nation. The news surfaced after numerous spy shot images of the same went viral online. The latest C3 Aircross spy shots give us a fairly accurate idea of what to anticipate when it breaks cover later this week. The model will belong to the mid-size SUV market in India and will compete with other vehicles in this segment. According to the firm, the brand-new SUV is created and engineered in India. In terms of competition, the upcoming SUV will compete with other B-SUVs like the Hyundai Creta and the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara once it rolls out in the Indian market. 

Also Read: Citroen C3 Aircross Officially Teased Ahead of India Debut on April 27

Citroen C3 Aircross SUV: Exterior Styling

The upcoming C3 Aircross will not look all that different from the C3 from the outside. The front fascia will have subtle changes in the form of an updated grille and headlight design, which are based on images of the SUV that Citroen retails in foreign markets under the same name. However, the C3 SUV's current C3 design cues will continue to be present in the overall appeal. As a result, features like split headlights, the grille design, and the wraparound tail lamps will remain largely unchanged. Regarding the SUV's dimensions, the C3 Aircross will be longer than the C3 as can be seen in certain spy shots that recently surfaced online. The amount of space that the SUV is anticipated to offer inside is also indicated by the smaller front and rear overhangs. 

Citroen C3 Aircross SUV: Interior Features

The three-row seating arrangement is the main talking point of the upcoming C3 Aircross, though Citroen has not revealed whether it will offer the SUV in the six or seven-seat configuration. The same 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system as the C3 hatchback, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a partially or entirely digital instrument cluster, a multifunctional steering wheel, ventilated front seats, an engine start/stop switch, and an electric sunroof are additional features that could be included in the dashboard.

Citroen C3 Aircross SUV: Engine and Gearbox

A 1.2-litre, three-cylinder, turbocharged PureTech petrol unit with 108bhp and 190Nm of torque is anticipated to be the engine of choice for the new C3 Aircross three-row SUV. The C3 hatchback from the French automaker also comes with the same unit. The EAT6 or EAT8 (Efficient Automatic Transmission) six- or eight-speed automatic gearbox is available in some of the brand's global models, even though it is mated to the six-speed manual gearbox in the C3. Having said that, it would be unexpected if the C3 Aircross received the PureTech 130 engine. 

Although there has been no official confirmation to date, the Citroen C3 Aircross may eventually offer an electric powertrain option. The CMP modular platform will be utilised for building the new C3 Aircross SUV. This platform is already the basis for a large number of Stellantis vehicles from manufacturers such as Jeep, Fiat, and the made-in-India Citroen C3. 

Also Read: Citroen C3 Shine Variant Launched in India at Rs 7.60 Lakh; Gets New Safety Features

Citroen C3 Aircross SUV: Launch Timeline and Market Rivals

The 5-seater SUV will face competition from the Hyundai Creta, the Kia Seltos, the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, and the Toyota Hyryder on the market. On the other hand, the 7-seater model will compete with the Kia Carens and the Maruti Suzuki XL6. Before being launched in other markets, the new SUV will first be introduced in India on April 27. It will go on sale later in 2023, according to several reports from the industry.