The European version of the Citroen e-C3 is on its way to rival the upcoming Renault 5 and VW ID.2 electric superminis
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The original story was updated on Oct 13 with new teasers and information about the Citroen e-C3 debut
Citroen announced that the all-new e-C3 electric supermini will debut on October 17, ahead of its market launch in Europe in early 2024 with a targeted starting price below €25,000 ($26,400). Official teasers of the model suggest it will be inspired by the Oli concept, and hint at similarities with the production-spec Citroen New C3 which is already available in India and South America.
The first teaser of the 2024 Citroen e-C3 appeared in July 2023, hidden inside Stellantis’ financial results presentation for the first half of the year. Now the company published a clearer version of the same front-view teaser alongside a second image revealing the taillights.
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The LED headlights of the new e-C3 are reminiscent of the 2022 Citroen Oli concept, while the silhouette, mirrors, generous ground clearance, and taillights, look very similar to the New C3 for India and South America. The original teaser featured an illuminated version of Citroen’s new emblem which is not visible in the revised photo. Note that the e-C3 will be the first production model to feature the new oval emblem before it gradually finds its way into the rest of the lineup.
The taillights look like a boxier evolution of the ones in the outgoing C3, featuring different LED graphics compared to the similar New C3. In this way, the rear lighting signature of the e-C3 matches the one at the front. We can also see a portion of the curvy tailgate and a black rear spoiler suggesting that the EV will come with a bi-tone exterior following the example of the current generation.
Reading between the lines, while the 2024 Citroen e-C3 will compete in the supermini segment, it is expected to share the crossover stance of the New C3, albeit with more modern styling features as depicted in our speculative rendering from last year. After all, the B-SUV role will be covered by the upcoming 2024 Citroen C3 Aircross which will grow in size compared to its predecessor proposing a more spacious family-friendly alternative to the hatchback.
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The French supermini is expected to ride on the tried-end-tested eCMP platform or on the evolved STLA Small architecture, sharing a great deal of its underpinnings with the upcoming Fiat Panda. The company brags about class-leading comfort which is a signature trait of all Citroen models. Besides the fully electric version that will be available at launch, there could be an ICE-powered C3 featuring Stellantis’ 1.2-liter mild-hybrid powertrain.
According to French media, the e-C3 is rumored to be available with a single electric motor producing either 80 hp (60 kW / 82 PS) or 107 hp (80 kW / 109 hp). Energy will be sourced from 40 kWh or 50 kWh batteries from Chinese company Svolt, offering a claimed range of over 300 km (186 miles). Interestingly, those specs differentiate it from both the Indian-spec New e-C3 and the European-spec Peugeot E-208 and Opel Corsa-e siblings.
Affordable Pricing And Leasing Scheme
The advertised sub-€25,000 ($26,400) starting price of the Citroen e-C3 makes it the cheapest EV in the French brand’s lineup if we exclude the Ami heavy quadricycle. More importantly, it places it in the same price bracket as the similarly-sized Renault 5 and VW ID.2 rivals set to launch in 2024 and 2025 respectively, waging a war between electric superminis.
As reported by L’Argus, Stellantis CEO, Carlos Tavares, has confirmed that the Citroen e-C3 will be available to lease with a monthly fee of €100 ($110) in France, after an agreement with the local government. Note that the Peugeot e-208 can be leased for as low as €145 per month in France using Stellantis’ “Electric As You Go” program, meaning that the Citroen sibling will be more affordable.
We will learn everything about the 2024 Citroen e-C3 in its official premiere on October 17 which will be streamed live on YouTube. Stellantis has confirmed that the European market launch of the EV will follow in early 2024.
