This story contains independent illustrations created by Jean Francois Hubert/SB-Medien for CarScoops that are neither related to nor endorsed by Citroen.
The Citroen C3 Aircross is one of the numerous Stellantis offerings in the small SUV segment, focused on comfort, affordability and practicality. The model was originally introduced in 2017 and received a major facelift in 2021, but the French company is already working on the second generation, set to debut in 2024. Thus, we gathered all the information on the upcoming model, combining them with speculative renderings made by our associates.
Mature Styling, More Tech
The current C3 Aircross has been criticized for its fish-like face featuring sharp edges compared to the chubby and rounded pre-facelifted model. The new generation is expected to combine the best of both worlds, with a more mature exterior design that won’t come short of French quirkiness.
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As depicted by the renderings, the new C3 Aircross could receive a heavier dose of plastic cladding at the front, helping it look more like an adventurous SUV and less like a dull MPV. The aluminum style skid plates and the color accents on the air bumps and the fog light bezels will also help in this direction. The LED headlights could be a mixture of the ones in the recently facelifted C5 Aircross merging with the illuminated grille and the double chevron emblem, and the more aggressive split headlights of the C4 / e-C4.
The profile will be more muscular than before with toned fenders similar to the ones we saw on the smaller New C3. Speaking of which, the budget-friendly car that was developed for India and South America will be sold alongside the next generation of the C3 supermini hatchback and the C3 Aircross SUV, meaning that we will have three different models with the C3 moniker.
Back to the C3 Aircross, it should retain the floating roof design thanks to the black-painted pillars visually merging with the large glass surfaces. Other features could include roof rails, new two-tone design for the alloy wheels, and thicker protective plastic cladding on the lower part of the doors.
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Inside the cabin we expect the C3 Aircross to follow in the same path paved by the C4 crossover hatchback, the C4 X crossover fastback, the facelifted C5 Aircross SUV, and the C5 X flagship. And by that we mean the adoption of a more angular layout for the infotainment touchscreen on the center console in combination with Citroen’s new, but rather small digital instrument cluster, and an optional head-up display.
A few colorful accents on the dashboard, doors and seats could make the C3 Aircross more playful than the aforementioned larger models. At the same time an array of storage compartments would increase practicality. Finally, the seats will definitely follow the lines of the Citroen Advanced Comfort program, with thick foam making them ultra-comfortable for longer trips.
New Platform Will Allow It To Grow In Size
The current Citroen C3 Aircross and its Opel Crossland sibling are the only remaining Stellantis SUVs that are still based on the old PSA PF1 platform. Thus, the new generation will move into the more modern CMP / eCMP that is already underpinning the Peugeot 2008, Opel Mokka, and DS 3 Crossback, as well as the larger Citroen C4 and C4 X. Mind you, the same architecture will be used in the next Fiat 500X, the upcoming Alfa Romeo Brenero, and the already confirmed “baby” Jeep.
The new underpinnings will allow the C3 Aircross to grow in size, taking it from the 4,150 mm (163.4 inches) of the current generation closer to 4,300 mm (169.3 inches) which is the length of the second generation Peugeot 2008. This will reposition it among the largest models in its segment, while closing the gap with the C5 Aircross which measures 4,510 mm (177.6 inches).
The larger footprint will translate to more space for passengers and their luggage, making the C3 Aircross more practical than ever before. We shouldn’t forget that Citroen is more focused on a value-for-money character and added practicality for its models than any other Stellantis brand. However, it is also focused on comfort, with the C3 Aircross retaining the plushy ride of its predecessor thanks to a brand-specific suspension setup distancing it from sportier rivals.
Mild Hybrid Petrol And EV Powertrains
The CMP / eCMP architecture is compatible with both ICE and BEV powertrains, as proven by the numerous supermini and SUV models based on it. The new C3 Aircross is expected to drop the 1.5-liter BlueHDi diesel from the lineup, but that is not the only change in terms of combustion engines. Stellantis is working on a new variant of the 1.2-liter PureTech petrol with the addition of a mild-hybrid system, resulting in lower fuel consumption and reduced CO2 emissions.
As for the fully electric e-C3 Aircross, it will adopt a familiar setup including a single electric motor producing 134 hp (100 kW / 136 PS) and a 50 kWh lithium-ion battery. The WLTP range is expected to be close to the 345 km (214 miles) of the Peugeot e-2008, although advancements in the battery tech and software by 2024 could increase that number. There are also reports about a lesser and more affordable EV variant with 99 hp (74 kW / 100 PS) of power, broadening the options in the C3 Aircross range.
The new Citroen C3 Aircross is expected to arrive in 2024, one year after the new C3 supermini which is also moving on the CMP architecture following the Opel Corsa and the Peugeot 208. This means that the first camouflaged prototypes of the second-gen C3 Aircross should be roaming the streets in 2023, giving us more details about the design and the features of the French SUV.
