The new “Smart Car” platform that underpins the Citroen e-C3 will serve as the base for around 7 new production models by Stellantis brands as a low-cost alternative to the 4 existing STLA modular architectures.
This represents a deviation from the company’s previous strategy that wanted all future production models from the group’s 14 brands to ride on one of the STLA Small, Medium, Large, and Frame architectures. The “Smart Car” platform appears to be similar in size to the STLA Small, and it appears to be an evolution of the previously widely-used CMP architecture. It was designed with the goal of affordability, focused on fully electric models although it is also compatible with ICE powertrains.
More: 2024 Citroen e-C3 Debuts In Europe As A Budget-Friendly EV With A 199-Mile Range
Automotive News Europe reports that Stellantis will utilize its new budget architecture to better compete with the army of low-cost Chinese-built EVs expected to arrive in Europe in the near future.
Which Are The 7 New Models?
Besides the Citroen e-C3 and its combustion-engined C3 sibling, the “Smart Car” underpinnings will be used by the next-gen Fiat Panda crossover supermini, set to arrive in mid-2024. This was all but confirmed by Renaud Tourte, the man responsible for the “Smart Car” development program, following earlier comments by Fiat’s CEO, Olivier Francois that the next Panda will make life difficult for Chinese rivals.
More: 2024 Fiat Panda EV To Target Chinese Rivals With A Less-Is-More Approach
Tourte revealed that a stretched version of the platform will underpin Citroen’s upcoming 7-seater B-SUV that was teased yesterday. As confirmed by our recent spy shots, the successor to the aging C3 Aircross will be closely related to the next-gen Opel Crossland. Both B-SUVs will most likely borrow the longer body, generous ground clearance, and three-row seating layout of the Citroen New C3 Aircross, albeit with a Euro-focused chassis setup, powertrains, and equipment.
As for the rest of the 7 upcoming models, Tourte said that “at least two other Stellantis brands” besides Citroen will make use of the “Smart Car” platform, photographing Opel and Fiat. After all, those are the three low-cost brands in Stellantis’ portfolio.
Production of the models underpinned by the “Smart Car” platform will initially take place in the Trnava plant in Slovakia, but other facilities in either Europe or Morocco could be added in the future as suggested by the high-ranked official.
