Citroën is introducing a small SUV-inspired supermini to target developing markets, in particular India and South America.

The New C3 launches in India and South America in the first half of 2022

Dubbed New C3 to distinguish it from the C3 supermini in Europe, it’s due for launch in the first half of 2022 as the first in a family of three vehicles, outlined in the ‘C-Cubed’ programme launched in 2019 and aimed at selected international markets.

The vehicles are based on three key criteria: the creation of a competitive and market-leading offering with strong styling, a Citroën experience designed for on-board comfort, and a design approach tailored to the specific needs of its target markets.

The brand added that the C3 name will be used for all Citroën B-segment hatchbacks globally, but models are differentiated to suit local needs.

Measuring less than 4m in length, the New C3 is a similar size to the European C3 but developed for local terrain conditions – it draws inspiration from SUVs for its ground clearance and gets tougher suspension and components. It also features a 10.2m turning circle to make it agile for urban environments while its compact size puts it in a lower tax band in India.

Vincent Cobée, Citroën global CEO, said: “Ensuring Citroën’s future requires a greater international presence, by becoming stronger in all the markets in which we operate, including South America, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and China, and by opening up to new ones, including India, which will soon become the third-largest market in the world.

“We are rolling out an ambitious product plan in order to achieve this, which will see the launch of three internationally-orientated models in three years. Models designed, developed and produced in strategic regions and which will fully represent Citroën’s identity in terms of style and on-board peace-of-mind.

“New C3 is a vital part of this international ramp-up and the first stage of this growth strategy. This hatchback, less than 4m long, is aimed at a major segment in India and South America. Modern, connected and tailored to local use, it is perfectly placed to support Citroën’s growth.”

To cater for increased demand for vehicle customisation in the Indian market, the New C3 will have two-tone bodywork and a range of combinations. A total of 11 customisation variants are available in India, including single-tone and two-tone, with 13 on offer in South America.

The launch of a B-segment hatchback is particularly important to Citroën’s growth in India – the vehicle class has a 23% share of the overall market. The brand announced its arrival in India in 2019 and launched its first import model at the start of 2021 in the form of the Citroën C5 Aircross SUV.

While Citroën has a much more established presence in South America, dating back to the 1960s, its objective today is to gain a firmer foothold in this market, with modern products, in step with customer aspirations.