- Second-generation C3 Aircross grows longer to make room for seven-seat option.
- Combustion, hybrid and electric powertrains available, as on its Opel Frontera cousin.
- Square-jaw design shares cues with smaller, five-seat e-C3 hatch revealed last year.
When Citroen revealed the new crossover styling direction for its latest C3 and electric e-C3 counterpart, some of us were left wondering what the next C3 Aircross could do to justify its existence, beyond promising a bit of extra legroom.
But it’s not more legroom that distinguishes the second-generation Aircross from the regular C3, it’s room for more legs. A wheelbase stretch gives the pocket-sized SUV a seven-seat option for the first time.
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Citroen officially unveiled the new C3 Aircross today and, as expected, it’s a mashup of Stellantis products we’re already familiar with. It ditches curves for creases, adopting the boxy design language already seen on the smaller C3 hatch that shares its updated ‘Smart’ CMP platform, and Citroen’s controversial new corporate logo takes pride of place on a grille whose mesh is patterned after the brand’s double-chevron badge.
And there are similarities to the South American-market Aircross revealed 12 months ago, though that features different door handles and a more traditional Citroen nose.
In packaging terms, the Aircross closely echoes the recently-revealed Opel Frontera, which again uses the same architecture, and will be competing directly with the Citroen for buyers across Europe. Neither firm has revealed the wheelbase measurements of either car (which are likely to be identical), but Citroen says the Aircross’s is the largest in its class, and the reason it’s been able to fit a third row of seats inside – something Opel has yet to confirm for its SUV.
We do know that the overall length has grown by 240 mm (9.5 inches) versus the old Aircross, bringing the bumper-to-bumper total to 4,390 mm (172.8 inches), and Citroen says the more upright rear window means third-row passengers won’t have to bow their heads.
Like all of its small SUV rivals, the Aircross has zero real off-road intent, despite what the raised ground clearance, roof bars and body moldings would have you believe. Citroen hasn’t detailed the powertrain setups at this stage, but it does say that combustion, hybrid and electric options will all be available.
And from what we know about the contents of the Stellantis parts bin, the C3 and the Opel Frontera, that means we can expect to find the group’s 1.2-liter turbo engine under the hood both with and without 48-volt mild-hybrid assistance. And for EV fans there’ll be the option of a fully electric version powered by a single 154 hp (156 PS) electric motor working on the front axle and providing a 250+ mile (402 km) range.
We’ll find out more in the coming weeks when Citroen drops additional details about the C3 Aircross, including shots of the interior, ahead of European sales starting later this year.
