New Citroen C3 and C4 to lead brand's fightback

An updated and improved Citroen C3 will be used next year to build a launchpad for the arrival of an all-new crossover-style Citroen C4 in Australia.

The facelifted Citroen C3 was previewed in Europe back in February, but its Australian release has been held back by COVID-19 shutdowns and production delays.

It is now set to be launched in the second quarter of 2021, with the redesigned Citroen C4 coming later next year.

“We want to play up those cars,” said Peugeot Citroen Australia general manager Kate Gillis.

Gillis has just unveiled the all-new Peugeot 2008, and said there was no conflict between the French sister marques and that the local company is developing a split strategy to build the sales and following of each brand.

“We are Peugeot Citroen Australia. We represent both brands. The same ethos, the same thinking, applies for both,” she said.

“But they have a very, very different personality and characteristic. Citroen is more comfort, Peugeot is design.”

Despite that, design is driving a different-looking line-up for the C3 and C4, which will both become more SUV-like in 2021.

The styling of the C3 has been tweaked with Airbumps on the side and a bolder frontal treatment with LED lighting, although the mechanical package is unchanged.

“We’ll have a full lift with a change in specification. The changes will appeal to younger buyers,” said Gillis.

“And it builds towards C4. We’re aiming for quarter two or three.”

The all-new Citroen C4 has also been previewed in Europe and moves away from its hatchback roots with SUV features including a raised ride height with bigger wheels, a high bonnet and elevated driving position, as well as a trendy coupe-style rear end.

It will be available with petrol, diesel and fully-electric powertrains, although Gillis is not yet going into any detail on powerplants, specification or pricing for Australia.

“It’s too early. That can wait,” she said.

But she is bullish about the potential for the new C4, despite the tight competition in Australia’s compact SUV class.

“There is a new C4 coming through for 2021. And a good existing car parc. We will use it to build the opportunity for Citroen,” she said.

Citroen, which says it remains committed to the Australian market for the long haul, currently offers only the C3, C3 Aircross and the C5 Aircross models.

A plug-in hybrid version of the Citroen C5 Aircross was unveiled late last year, but is still to be confirmed for release here.