C3 angles Citroën towards new design future
By Mark Smyth2024-02-20T10:46:00
Citroën is introducing a new design language with its latest generation C3. Mark Smyth takes a look at the new model with the designers behind it.
Citroën has always been about innovation in design, technology and engineering. Mention the French brand and many will think of the beautiful DS, the hydro suspension of the GS or the boisterous reputation of the Saxo. The latter was replaced in 2002 by the C3, a popular small hatchback that also gave us quirky models like the C3 Pluriel and in the outgoing generation, the C3 Aircross.
One thing all of these models had in common was curves, but all that changes with the introduction of the new C3 and the battery-electric e-C3. Citroën’s new design language features more geometric shapes and angles, and to get some insight into how this radical change still reflects the brand, CDN spoke to the team at the Stellantis design centre in Paris.
The new fourth generation shares the same wheelbase as the old model but is 19mm longer and 6mm wider. The main change is a move into crossover design, something heralded by the former C3 Aircross, with the new C3 28mm higher and boasting 163mm of ground clearance.
It is the first…