2025 Citroen C3: Petrol hatch revealed, Australian plans unclear

After revealing the new electric Citroen e-C3 late last year, the French brand has revealed its petrol and mild-hybrid counterpart.

The new Citroen C3 looks almost identical to the e-C3, with more upright, SUV-like styling than the outgoing C3 that aligns it more closely with the separate C3 offered in developing markets.

Orders have opened in Europe ahead of mid-year deliveries, but it’s unclear when it’ll come to Australia.

“Information regarding updates to product lineups in Australia will be shared in due course. The current C3 is available in market,” said a spokesperson for Peugeot Citroen Australia.

“There’s no further update on e-C3 at this stage.”

The C3 measures 4.01m long, up 19mm on the outgoing model. It’s also 100mm taller, with ground clearance up from 135mm to 197mm.

A new Hybrid 100 powertrain features a three-cylinder petrol engine with a 48V mild-hybrid system and a new dual-clutch automatic transmission.

The petrol engine produces 75kW of power, while an electric motor produces 21kW. Citroen says the powertrain offers 205Nm of torque, with 55Nm from the electric motor.

Citroen promises 10 per cent lower CO2 emissions and fuel consumption compared to an equivalent petrol version, and claims up to 50 per cent of city journeys can be done in electric mode.

The entry-level engine is a turbo 1.2-litre three-pot with 75kW of power, mated with a six-speed manual transmission.

All new C3 models gain Citroen’s suspension system with progressive hydraulic cushions, as seen on other vehicles from the brand like the flagship C5 X, which promises a better ride and superior body control.

This system sees two hydraulic cushions used at each corner of the vehicle – one for compression, one for decompression – in conjunction with the shock absorber and spring, and in lieu of mechanical stops.

The comfort focus continues inside with redesigned Citroen Advanced Comfort seats, with an extra 10mm of foam to be more enveloping and supportive.

An available 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system sits on the minimalist dashboard, which features a fabric-wrapped section Citroen says is inspired by sofas.

There’s no traditional instrument cluster, with Citroen instead introducing a head-up display of sorts, with key information projected onto a glossy black surface.

All models come standard with LED headlights and autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection.

Available features include satellite navigation, climate control, wireless smartphone mirroring, a wireless phone charger and rain-sensing wipers.

Citroen sold just 69 C3 hatchbacks in Australia in 2023, down 10.4 per cent on the previous year.

It was outsold more than six-to-one by the Skoda Fabia and Audi A1, though it was narrowly Citroen’s best seller, beating the C5 X by a single unit.

MORE: Everything Citroen C3