What's the news?
Citroen's new C3 Aircross, a soft-roader-y replacement for the upright old C3 Picasso, goes on sale in Ireland on the 6th of November, and prices will start from €20,695. It'll be getting an Irish public debut on the 27th of October at the Ideal Home Show at the RDS Simmonscourt in Dublin.
Citroen says that there are some 85 separate variations on the C3 Aircross, depending on how much personalising customers want to do, and that it comes with some tech that's new to the Citroen brand, including wireless phone charging and 'Grip Control' traction control.
You certainly won't fail to spot it on the roads, with styling that lifts cues from the smaller C4 Cactus and with those unique 'Venetian Blind' rear pillars that promise a combination of visibility and privacy. There are also colour options for the roof, door mirrors, wheels, roof bars, and more.
The C3 Aircross is one of the first Citroens to fully benefit from the firm's new Citroen Advanced Comfort programme, which looks to avoid unnecessary sportiness and instead focuses on comfort and wellbeing for both driver and passengers. So the C3 Aircross' cabin has been designed with very comfy seats, more glazing areas for more interior light, and lots of storage spaces to help keep clutter at bay.
It's also been designed to be practical, with a 410-litre boot that can be expanded to 520 litres if you slide the rear seats forward (from Flair trims and up). Feel and Flair models come with a 'Family Pack' that includes a fold-flat front passenger seat for long loads, 60/40 split-slide rear bench, rear sun blinds, a ski hatch, and a rear centre armrest with cup holders.
Citroen's also aiming for high safety levels, with the optional Grip Control traction control system taking the place of four-wheel drive, and a number of optional safety systems including a colour head-up display, speed sign recognition and recommendation, active safety brake, intelligent beam headlights, park assist, top rear Vision reversing camera, keyless entry and start as well as lane departure warning and blind spot monitoring systems.
There's a seven-inch touschscreen in the cabin, which comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, optional 3D sat-nav, and connection to the MyCitroen app which allows owners to access vehicle data and set servicing reminders.
The engine range kicks off with the 82hp 1.2-litre petrol PureTech engine (with Co2 emissions of 116g/km), or you can have a 100hp 1.6 BlueHDI diesel with Co2 of 104g/km. There's also a turbocharged 1.2 petrol PureTech with 115g/km, and an automatic option for the same engine, which means Co2 emissions of 126g/km.