PARIS MOTOR SHOW: New Citroen C3 for Oz

Citroen shocked the world when it revealed its new-generation C3 in June, when the small French hatchback was reinvented as an 'SUV', but at the time the all-new model hadn't been confirmed for Australia.

Now motoring.com.au sources have confirmed the radical new C3 will indeed be introduced here mid next year, when it will join a gaggle of all-new SUVs from French sister brand Peugeot, including its all-new SUV-look 3008 and 5008 models.

The current C3 – Citroen's best seller globally and last priced from $19,990 here -- was discontinued Down Under earlier this year, but we understand Citroen Australia is now confident it can land the new model at a competitive price by mid-2017, especially given it will positioned not alongside light hatchbacks but small SUVs like Mazda's CX-3 and the Honda HR-V.

"The new C3 brings with it a host of innovative and practical features wrapped up in an attractive and fun design,” said general manager Kai Bruesewitz in June.

“Negotiations are well underway and we are very keen to reintroduce the C3 to Australia if we can deliver a package that meets the needs of Australian customers and complements the overall local brand direction.

“In the likely case that those negotiations are successful, we anticipate launching the vehicle in Australia mid-2017 with specifications and pricing confirmed closer to this time,” said Bruesewitz.

Based on the PSA Group's A platform, the new C3 grows in size and gets a C4 Cactus-style off-road look complete with side 'Airbumps'.

It is longer and wider but some 40mm lower than the model it replaces at 3990mm, 1750mm and 1470mm respectively. It rides on a 2540mm wheelbase, packs a 300-litre boot, the largest glovebox in its class, large front door ‘cubbies’ and 1379mm of shoulder room – 20mm more than before. Citroen lists a tight 10.7-metre turning circle.

Apart from air-filled Airbump bodyside rub strips from the C4 Cactus, the cheeky new exterior features a “floating” roofline, black windscreen pillars, black wheel-arch extensions, two-tier front lighting signature, round headlights, LED daytime running lights, short overhangs, 3D tail-lights, a new double-chevron emblem and a new C3 badge with the figure ‘3’ appearing in black with a chrome surround.

Designed under Citroen’s Advanced Comfort concept are wider, more comfortable seats and a spacious interior topped by a panoramic sunroof. There are also a number of first-in-class interior features, such as the “world-first” Citroën ConnectedCam, an onboard HD camera mounted behind the rear-view mirror that lets drivers share their road-trip photos and videos directly to the cloud.

The GPS-connected, two-megapixel, wide angle (120-degrees) full-HD camera has 16GB of internal memory, allowing drivers to take photos for keeping or immediate sharing on social media or, by keeping the button pressed, shoot up to 20 seconds of film for sharing once the car is stationary.

Other new technologies include a 7.0-inch touch-screen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring, 3D-connected navigation with speech recognition, reversing camera with parking aids, lane departure alert, blind spot monitoring, hill-start assist, hands-free ignition and four interior “mood packs”.

These include Standard mood, which Citroen describes as uncluttered and neutral thanks to yellow over-stitched upholstery, Metropolitan Grey (which “puts the emphasis on warmth and brightness, with soft [dashboard and seat trim] colours and textiles), Urban Red, which features a sporty red dash colour, and Hype Colorado – bringing upmarket dash materials, contrasting upholstery and a two-tone, leather-covered steering wheel.

Indeed, customisation will be a highlight, at least in Europe, where 36 two-tone exterior colour combinations will be offered, alongside various colours for the wing mirrors, fog lights, rear window surround and the Airbumps.

Nine body colours (Banquise White, Perla Nera Black, Shark Grey, Aluminium Grey, Ruby Red, Almond Green, Cobalt Blue, Power Orange and Sand) can be combined with three roof colours (Opal White, Onyx Black, Aden Red).

Citroen Australia is currently working through a range of powertrain options, including three PureTech triple-cylinder petrol and two BlueHDi turbo-diesel engine choices matched to the French maker’s latest-generation EAT6 automatic transmission.

Next year in Australia Citroen will also release facelifted versions of its EMP2 platform-based C4 Picasso and Grand Picasso people-movers and – potentially – two new commercial vehicles: the new-generation Berlingo and, for the first time here, the French brand's large Jumpy cargo van (known as the Expert in the UK).

Launched this year in Europe, the all-new French van is built in partnership with Peugeot and Toyota, and would be Citroen Australia's first direct rival for the Renault Trafic, Toyota HiAce, Hyundai ILoad and Volkswagen Transporter. Passenger versions called the Citroen Space Tourer and Peugeot Traveller are also offered in Europe.

What's coming from Citroen in 2017:
C3 redesign
C4 Picasso facelift
C4 Grand Picasso facelift
Berlingo redesign -- TBC
Jumpy/Expert -- TBC