Citroen Ireland has stolen a march on the electric car competition by pricing its new electric e-C3 hatchback at the same level as the petrol-engined version of the new compact model - both cars have a starting price of €23,400.
What does that kind of money get you?
That gets you an e-C3 with a 44kWh battery pack, which is good for a range of up to 320km on one charge. Citroen Ireland Managing Director Colin Sheridan commented: “We are thrilled to announce pricing for the all-new Citroen C3 and e-C3 starting from just €23,400. This model disrupts the segment by introducing an affordable, highly equipped offering with a choice of petrol and electric at the same price point. The pricing and specification cements Citroen’s commitment to making electric mobility accessible to all, we look forward to seeing all-new C3 on Irish roads for the 251-registration period.”
Is the e-C3 the cheapest EV in Ireland?
Almost. Technically there is currently a basic Nissan Leaf SV model with a 40kWh battery pack, which is €50 cheaper than the e-C3. That, though, is a limited-time special offer price for 251 registrations, so the e-C3 is arguably the cheapest full-price EV. Equally, the Nissan has less range - 270km, compared to the e-C3’s 320km.
What’s the performance like?
The electric e-C3 has a 113hp electric motor, which gives it a 0-100km/h time of 10.4 seconds. Its battery can be charged at up to 100kW on DC rapid charging points, allowing a 20-80 per cent charge in about 26 minutes.
The petrol version uses a 100hp 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine with a six-speed manual gearbox. There’s also a 48-volt mild hybrid model, with prices starting from € 26,800. Citroen claims that this model can run in electric mode for as much as 50 per cent of urban journeys.
Citroen Ireland will offer the new C3 and e-C3 in two trim levels—Plus and Max - across the three powertrains.
How good is the standard equipment?
Plus models come with LED headlights, Citroen’s Advanced Comfort seats and suspension, 17-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, a new Citroen Head Up display system, a 10.25-inch touchscreen with Apple Carplay and Android Auto, decorative roof rails, front and rear skid plates, automatic wipers, power-folding and heated door mirrors, leather-effect steering wheel, 60/40 folding second-row seats and driver seat adjustment, electric door mirrors, automatic lights, rear parking sensors, rear spoiler, cruise control, manual air conditioning and six airbags.
Max models get rear privacy glass, grey fabric/leather effect combination upholstery, automatic air conditioning, 3D navigation, wireless smartphone charging, a reversing camera, electrochromic rear-view mirror, heated driver and passenger seats, and heated steering wheel.
Colour options will include Polar White, Monte Carlo Blue, Elixir Red, Bright Blue, Mercury Grey and Perla Nera Black and a contrast two-tone black roof will also be available.
How big is the C3?
The C3 is a compact car - 4.01 metres long - and has been designed so that it has a slightly SUV-ish stance, rather like a Dacia Sandero Stepway, an effect heightened by the standard roof rails. There’s a generous 197mm of ground clearance, too, so the C3 should be able to tackle unmade roads with ease, not to mention potholes and speed bumps, something that the Citroen Advanced Comfort Suspension, with its clever hydraulic bump-stops, should help with.
The boot is also generous, at 310 litres it’s somewhat ahead of the class average. Citroen also claims that the C3’s headroom, legroom, and shoulder room are all better than the average for this sort of car.
Orders are open now, and deliveries will start in time for the 251 registration period.