Afrigather It’s instantly apparent that the brand new Citroen C3 Aircross Max has a tall job forward of it. Ever since Citroen’s hey-days of the ’60s and ‘70s, the French producer sealed an enviable status for radical automobile design. The one downside was its left-field creations weren’t at all times effectively acquired by the shopping for public. Certain, many iconic Citroens have been destined to change into prompt future classics as a result of their quirky interpretation. Nonetheless, you at all times received received the sense the French agency sort of envied manufacturers that would merely make , humble, cost-effective automobile for the lots.
That’s the place the brand new Citroen C3 Aircross Max enters the fray. Priced at simply R344 900, it’s actually radical on worth. And having spent every week with it, I’m unable to suss out any draw back on this worth equation. To begin with, it’s taller, chunkier and extra strong than the bottom C3 hatchback Stellantis additionally launched this 12 months. The final one hailed from Europe, however to carry the Citroen C3 Aircross Max into South Africa at a aggressive value, it’s sourced from India.
CITROEN C3 AIRCROSS MAX
And we get it, actually we do. Stellantis’ international restructuring means rising markets like South Africa can and may get right-hand-drive autos from the Far East. And, what? The New World Order works. The Citroen C3 Aircross Max is designated a no-frills, entry-level kind crossover in South Africa. It foregoes all of the sensible, quirky stuff you’ll discover in Peugeot and Opel, so the Stellantis international playpens don’t overlap.
And, as a budget-friendly crossover, the Citroen C3 Aircross Max is kind of optionless but additionally fairly faultless. What you see is what you get. On the outside you get a two-tone roof, contrasting wing mirrors and some nice-to-have trim bits. However, on the within, it’s a really extraordinary gray on black inside with just a few materials inserts to inject some differentiation. Crucially, there’s a neat 10-inch infotainment display with wi-fi Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and reverse-view digital camera that handles all performance. And there’s a fundamental 7-inch instrument cluster. It’s fundamental and to-the-point, however you’ve received to understand the pragmatism of its execution.
PRAGMATIC MEETS PRACTICAL
Clearly, extra essential to the Citroen C3 Aircross Max engineering workforce is its sensible execution. With a wheelbase of 2 671 mm and an total size of 4 323 mm, the Citroen C3 Aircross Max is without doubt one of the greatest autos at school and value vary. And it reveals. There may be seating for 5 full-size adults and an enormous boot (444 litres) because of its proudly upright, boxy form on the rear. Throughout the take a look at interval, I hosted guests from abroad with a great deal of baggage and a passion to go to all the everyday Cape City vacationer traps. And the boxy Citroen felt prefer it was proper in its aspect. The adjustable driver’s armrest was an sudden and welcome boon for consolation, too.
On the highway, the excellent news extends to its drive high quality as effectively. The perky little turbocharged three-cylinder 1.2-litre engine punches effectively above its weight. 81 kW and 205 Nm of torque is transferred to the highway gamely by a six-speed computerized. And delivers a thrummy three-pot roar within the course of. Mixed with a commendable weight reduction programme, it pretty shunts the Citroen C3 Aircross Max from zero to 100 km/h in lower than 10 seconds. It’s additionally enjoyable with out dashing your gasoline economic system, which settled at a real-world common of 7.0 l/100 km throughout our analysis. Equally commendable is its dealing with, given this can be a not-so small crossover SUV. Steering really feel is mild however exact, and the physique shell copes effectively with the additional trip peak and chunky 17-inch wheels.
THE VERDICT
So, the R344 900 query have to be whether or not the Citroen C3 Aircross Max is definitely worth the montly repayments? We, for one, consider it’s. Simply psychologically, any new household automobile retailing for much less the R400k has received the correct to your consideration. Certain, among the typical French fandango to draw the trendies is lacking. However the automobile continues to be putting sufficient with its two-tone execution to be desireable. And, mechanically, the upside of the feisty 1.2T motor is there for all to see with its pragmati efficiency. Because of this, it deserves to achieve a value-driven South African market.
THE FIGURES
- Citroen C3 Aircross Max 1.2T 6AT
- Value: R344 900
- Engine: 1.2-litre turbo petrol
- Energy: 81 kW @ 5 500 r/min and 205 Nm @ 1 500 r/min
- Transmission: 6-speed auto, front-wheel drive
- Gasoline Financial system: 6.3 l/100 km (claimed) / 7.0 l/100 km (examined)
- Efficiency: 0-100 km/h in 9.5 seconds / high velocity 185 km/h
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THIS FAMILY CROSSOVER?
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