New Citroën ë-C3: the electric crossover priced from €19,990

This year marks exactly 75 years since Citroën introduced the 2CV, a car built around an exceptionally straightforward idea: to be an umbrella on four wheels. Now, in 2023, and imbued with that same spirit of simplicity previewed by the Oli, the French brand has unveiled the new ë-C3.

It is undoubtedly a more sophisticated and technology-led model than the 2CV, as it must be in a different era, yet it shares another key principle: it will be sold at an “umbrella price”. Or, at least, for as little as it is possible to charge for an electric car that meets 21st-century expectations.

Designed and manufactured in Europe, the new Citroën ë-C3 signals the start of a fresh Stellantis offensive. The group intends to strengthen its position in the B-segment with the first European-built, fully electric model in the class to be priced below €25,000.

Diogo Teixeira travelled to Paris, France, for an early look at it, and shows everything the new Citroën ë-C3 has to offer in the video. Take a look:

Electric, but not only

Since its 2002 launch, the Citroën C3 has found more than 5.6 million buyers, making it the French manufacturer’s best-selling model. In Europe, it accounts for roughly 29% of Citroën sales.

With this fourth generation, Citroën is looking to build on those figures. To do so, it is placing its faith in the fully electric ë-C3, which is intended to make fully electric mobility accessible to a large proportion of Europe’s population.

However, following the same approach Stellantis has already used with vehicles such as the Jeep Avenger and Fiat 600 - putting the choice in customers’ “hands” - Citroën will also offer the C3 with petrol engines.

Returning to the fully electric ë-C3, it debuts an 83 kW (113 hp) electric motor. It claims a 135 km/h top speed and completes the 0-100 km/h sprint in 11s.

The motor is supplied by a 44 kWh LFP battery - a first for the French brand - which delivers up to 320 kilometres of range on the WLTP cycle.

An electric car for less than €20,000?

The Citroën will initially arrive in this 320-kilometre-range version, with prices starting from €23,300.

In 2025, though, the French car maker will introduce an ë-C3 variant with just 200 kilometres of range. Aimed at drivers who cover short distances and can charge regularly, it will be priced from €19,990.

That is a “knockout price” for a fully electric B-segment offering. Citroën explains it as part of its ambition to offer a battery-electric car at the price of an equivalent combustion-engined model.

Is that you, Oli?

Several of the solutions used on the new ë-C3 were already previewed by the Citroën Oli, a concept car we went to see in Paris and later had the opportunity to drive in Portugal:

The front and rear light signature is a clear example, as is the new logo. Making its production-car debut on the Citroën ë-C3, it underlines the model’s character as a genuine crossover.

This is evident not only in its silhouette, which is taller than that of the current-generation model, but also in the bumpers and wheel arches. These feature more substantial protective cladding, giving it a stronger identity, just as on the Oli.

A completely new Citroën ë-C3 interior

The links between this ë-C3 and Citroën’s Oli concept continue inside, where the cabin is entirely different from that of the current-generation C3.

That close relationship is particularly apparent in the dashboard’s strongly horizontal lines, as well as in the projected head-up display, which takes the place of a conventional instrument cluster.

The rectangular-looking steering wheel is also new, along with the 10.25-inch central infotainment screen. There are also numerous generously sized storage areas, as Citroën has accustomed us to expect.

Another immediately noticeable feature in the cabin of this new model is its Advanced Comfort seats. They use denser foam to enhance onboard comfort, a solution we have already tried in other models from the French manufacturer.

When will it arrive?

The new Citroën ë-C3 will reach European markets at the beginning of 2024 in its 320-kilometre-range form. As mentioned above, a second version with 200 kilometres of range and a €19,990 starting price will follow in 2025.

As for petrol-powered C3 versions, it is not yet known when they will be launched or how much they will cost.