Citroën C3 Aircross

The Citroën C3 Aircross is name designated to two SUVs produced by the French automaker Citroën. The first is the Brazilian version of C3 Picasso MPV, and the second is an urban SUV launched in 2017 that replaces the C3 Picasso in Europe.

First generation (2017–present)
First generation
Overview
ManufacturerCitroën
Also calledCitroën C4 Aircross (China)
Production2017–present
AssemblyFigueruelas, Zaragoza, Spain (Opel Espana de Automoviles)
Body and chassis
ClassMini SUV
Body style5-door SUV
PlatformPSA PF1 platform
RelatedOpel Crossland X
Peugeot 2008
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,604 mm (102.5 in)[1]
Length4,150 mm (163.4 in)[1]
Width1,760 mm (69.3 in)[1]
Height1,640 mm (64.6 in)
Chronology
PredecessorCitroën C3 Picasso

The Citroën C3 Aircross for Europe is a subcompact crossover SUV from Citroën. Presented on 12 June 2017 in Paris, it has been marketed from October of the same year. The C3 Aircross was announced by the C-Aircross concept car, presented at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show.

It shares its platform and many elements with its cousin the Opel Crossland X that replaces the Meriva, following the partnership between Groupe PSA and General Motors, which was first announced in 2012. Its style, directed by Pierre Authier, is in harmony with that of the new Citroën range: front double decker, "3D" lights. The C3 Aircross also offers numerous possibilities for customisation.

In China, a long wheel base version exists and is known as the C4 Aircross. Its wheelbase at 2,655 mm is 11.5 centimetres longer which results into a length of 4270 mm.[2]

Interior (Brunei)
C3 Aircross back view (United Kingdom)
C4 Aircross (China)

C3 Picasso (SUV trim package) (2010–present)

C3 Aircross
C3 Aircross at the 2012 Montevideo Motor Show
Overview
Also calledCitroën Aircross (facelift)
Production2010–present
AssemblyPorto Real, Brazil (Citroën Brazil)
DesignerDonato Coco
Jean-Pierre Ploué[3]
Body and chassis
ClassMini SUV
Body style5-door SUV
LayoutFront-engine, front-wheel-drive
RelatedCitroën C3 Picasso
Peugeot 207
Powertrain
Engine1.6 L EP6 VTi 16-valve I4 (petrol)
Transmission5-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,540 mm (100.0 in)[1]
Length4,279 mm (168.5 in)[1]
Width1,723 mm (67.8 in)[1]
Height1,697 mm (66.8 in)[1]
Kerb weight1,387 kg (3,058 lb)[1]
C3 Aircross rear side view, showing the higher ride height and spare wheel - added to create an off road look

The Citroën C3 Aircross for Latin America is a C3 Picasso based mini SUV, first announced by Citroën's Brazilian division in August 2010. The C3 Aircross is manufactured in Porto Real, Brazil, and was launched in Brazil and Argentina in September 2010.[4]

Compared with the C3 Picasso, the restyled C3 Aircross has raised suspension, chrome roof bars, mirror covers, side skirts and a rear spare tyre.[5][6] The Brazilian version is capable of running on E85 Bioethanol[7] and is based on the Peugeot 207 SW platform.[8]

Ivan Segal, the managing director of Citroën of Brazil predicted sales of 30,000 Aircross models in a full year at launch,[4] but lowered this expectation in 2011 to 2,000 Aircross models per month. Segal wanted to achieve this by targeting "young and adventurous" buyers.[9]

Design and features

The Aircross features an upholstered fabric interior, with corduroy or leather options.[10] The engine supports are designed to collapse downwards slightly in a front end impact to prevent the engine from invading the cabin and injuring passengers. The C3 Aircross SX and Exclusive models have ABS, one of the few vehicles on sale in the Brazilian market with this feature.[11]

The C3 Aircross was designed with an obligation for green materials to be used where viable. 20 kg (44.1 lb) of the vehicle's polymers, include the parcel shelf, boot carpet, and partial use in the doors, are from natural fibres to meet this target.[12]

Engines

In Brazil, the Aircross is available with a four speed automatic or five speed manual gearbox.[13]

Petrol engines[14][15][16]
Model Year Engine code Displacement
(cc, cu in)		 Power Torque 0–100 km/h
(0–62 mph) (seconds)		 Top speed Transmission CO
2 emissions (g/km)
1.6 litre VTi 16v
(petrol)		2010–EP61,587 (97)110 PS (81 kW; 108 bhp)142 N⋅m (105 lb⋅ft)14165 km/h (103 mph)5 speed manual220
1.6 litre VTi 16v
(alcohol)		2010–EP61,587 (97)113 PS (83 kW; 111 bhp)155 N⋅m (114 lb⋅ft)14165 km/h (103 mph)5 speed manual220
1.6 litre VTi 120
(petrol)		2013–EP61,587 (97)115 PS (85 kW; 113 bhp)152 N⋅m (112 lb⋅ft)5 speed manual
1.6 litre VTi 120
(alcohol)		2013–EP61,587 (97)122 PS (90 kW; 120 bhp)161 N⋅m (119 lb⋅ft)5 speed manual

Restyling (2016)
2016 Citroën C3 Aircross

In the end of 2015, a facelifted version of the C3 Aircross was introduced in South America as a model for 2016. The most significant changes are a new front end. The non-Aircross version was dropped.

Reviews

Autoblog.com reviewed the C3 Aircross, giving a mostly negative review to aspects and features of the vehicle. The basic X model launched with no airbags, ABS, or temperature sensor; the last of which they consider to be a necessity in the hot Latin American climate. They criticised the boot, calling it awkward and complicated since it can only open once an arm carrying the spare tyre has been unlocked and swung out of the way, which increases the space required for parking.

Further, in their review, they complained that the dashboard mounted displays were difficult for the driver to see comfortably, echoing concerns CNET had when reviewing the C3 Picasso, where they called the displays "not particularly readable" and possibly dangerous to use while driving.[17]

Only one engine is available for the C3 Aircross; a 1.6 litre HDi used in other Citroën cars, including the Latin American market's C3 Picasso. Autoblog.com's review was favourable to it since it performed very well in the Aircross off road, although it was noisy on road. They found no discernible issues with the suspension, which handled well on and off the road, traversing irregular terrain without issues.[10]

Overall, Autoblog.com considered the price of AR$80,000 to be unrealistically high for the lack of features they considered to be essential, and when compared to rivals.[10][18]

Sales
Year Argentina Sales Brazil Sales Notes
2010 0[19] 4,254[20]
2011 4,341[19] 16,717[21]
2012 3,910[22] 9,793[23] Brazil sales figures only represent from January to the start of November.
2013 5,517[24]
2014 2,450[25]
2015 TBA TBA

See also

References
  1. "(Portuguese)". Latin American vehicle market info. Tudo de Carros. Retrieved 29 January 2013.
  2. "CoolCarsInChina.com - About China's Coolest Cars". CoolCarsInChina.com. Retrieved 16 December 2018.
  3. "21 cars you can't drive in the US". News site. Bloomberg Businessweek. Retrieved 5 September 2012.
  4. Calmon, Fernando (26 July 2010). "C3 Aircross goes on sale". Just-auto.com. Retrieved 15 November 2012.
  5. Fernando Calmon (9 April 2010). "C3 Picasso Aircross description". Just-auto.com. Retrieved 20 April 2012.
  6. "C3 Picasso Aircross details". Citroënët. Retrieved 18 May 2012.
  7. "Citroën News - Aircross runs on E85". Retrieved 16 August 2012.
  8. "Autoblog Argentina Aircross review". Autoblog. Autoblog Argentina. Retrieved 14 August 2012.
  9. Le Houelleur, Yann (30 August 2010). "Avec Aircross, Citroën met le turbo en Amérique latine" [With the Aircross, Citroën puts the turbo in Latin America]. L'Usine nouvelle (in French). Infopro Communications. Retrieved 28 May 2012.
  10. Cristófalo, Carlos. "Autoblog.com C3 Aircross review (Spanish)". Reviewer, blog, news. Autoblog.com. Retrieved 19 November 2012.
  11. Oliveira, Ricardo. "Brazilian C3 Aircross mystery shopper review". Mystery shopper of car dealerships. Jotoliveira. Retrieved 12 December 2012.
  12. "Engine specs from PSA Peugeot Citroën" (PDF). Creator and designer. PSA Peugeot Citroën. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 June 2017. Retrieved 21 November 2012.
  13. "Ficha Technical 2013/14" (PDF). Citroën Brazil. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 January 2014. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
  14. "Citroën engine specifications". Creator. Citroën. Retrieved 7 November 2012.
  15. "automobile-catalog.com HDi 90 EGS6 Airdream specs". Car infosite listing manufacturer claims and test results. automobile-catalog.com. Retrieved 7 November 2012.
  16. Grigole, M. "C3 Aircross consumption stats". Consumption values and mileage database. Spiritmonitor.de. Retrieved 14 December 2012.
  17. Hide, Nick. "Cnet reviews the C3 Picasso". News and review site. Cnet. Retrieved 16 August 2013.
  18. "autos.demotores review of the Aircross". Reviewer and car seller. autos.demotores.com. Retrieved 7 December 2012.
  19. "matgasnier". "Argentina Aircross sales 2010/2011". Blog, sales data and statistics. Best selling cars blog. Retrieved 15 November 2012.
  20. "Fenabrave Brazil market Aircross figs 2010 (Portuguese)". Statistical data for Brazil. Fenebrave. Archived from the original on 2 November 2012. Retrieved 15 November 2012.
  21. "Fenabrave Brazil market Aircross figs 2011 (Portuguese)". Statistical data for Brazil. Fenebrave. Archived from the original on 2 November 2012. Retrieved 15 November 2012.
  22. "Argentina Aircross sales 2012 (Spanish)". Autoblog. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
  23. "Fenabrave Brazil market Aircross figs 2012 (Portuguese)". Statistical data for Brazil. Fenebrave. Archived from the original on 2 November 2012. Retrieved 15 November 2012.
  24. "Argentina Aircross sales 2013 (Spanish)". Autoblog. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
  25. "Argentina Aircross sales 2014 (Spanish)". Autoblog. Retrieved 30 July 2015.
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