Overview

Released in Australia in April 2019, the Citroën C3 Aircross was a compact SUV. Manufactured in Zaragoza, Spain, the front-wheel drive Citroën C3 Aircross was powered by a 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine that was mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Over the combined ADR 81/02 test cycle, fuel consumption was 5.6 litres per 100 km.

For Australia, the C3 Aircross range consisted of ‘Shine’ editions, though a limited-run ‘Launch Edition’ was offered upon its release. When released, the Citroën C3 Aircross Shine had a recommended retail price of $32,990 (excluding on-road costs).

Body and dimensions

Like the Citroën Mk.3 C3 , the Citroën C3 Aircross was underpinned by PSA’s PF1 (or ‘A’) platform. Compared to the Citroën Mk.3 C3, however, the Citroën C3 Aircross was 59 mm longer (at 4155 mm), 21 mm wider (1765 mm), 131 mm taller (1605 mm) and had a 65 mm longer wheelbase (2604 mm); ground clearance was also raised by 20 mm to 253 mm. luggage capacity for the C3 Aircross was 410 litres and this increased to 1289 litres when the rear seats were folded flat and luggage was filled to the roofline.

The Citroën C3 Aircross had a kerb weight of 1203 kg.

Suspension and steering

The Citroën C3 Aircross had MacPherson strut front suspension and a torsion beam rear axle. Furthermore, the C3 Aircross had rack-and-pinion steering with electric power assistance.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Citroën C3 Aircross included dual front airbags, front-seat mounted side airbags, full-length curtain airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control and front seatbelts with pre-tensioners and load limiters.

As standard, Australian-delivered Citroën C3 Aircross vehicles were equipped with the following safety technologies –

• Forward Collision Warning and Active Safety Brake: uses a multifunction camera and 24 GHz radar sensor to detect obstacles, vehicles or pedestrians. Operating at speeds above 30 km/h, Forward Collision Warning initially issues an amber visual alert if there is a potential collision hazard. In its second stage, a red visual alert and an audible warning sound to indicate that a collision is imminent. If the driver fails to react, the brakes are applied autonomously to reduce vehicle speed and, if possible, bring the vehicle to rest;
• Lane Departure Warning: monitors lane markings and warns the driver if a making is accidentally crossed. If steering deviation is detected, the driver is alerted by a flashing indicator on the digital instrument panel and an audible signal in the cabin;
• Active Lane Keeping Assistance: operating at speeds above 64 km/h, Active Lane Keeping Assistance applies steering wheel torque to correct the vehicle’s course when a potential lane change is detected without the indicators having been activated. If the driver wants to maintain the direction of the vehicle, they can prevent the correction by keeping a firm hold on the steering wheel;
• Active Blind Spot Monitoring: operating at speeds above 13 km/h, Active Blind Spot Monitoring uses lateral ultrasound sensors to detect a vehicle or bicycle in the driver’s blindspot. If detected, an LED illuminates in either side door mirror. Furthermore, if the driver attempts to change lanes when an object has been detected, the Active Lane Keeping Assistance function applies steering wheel torque to correct the driver’s trajectory;
• Adaptive Cruise Control with stop & go: operating at speeds above 30 km/h, Adaptive Cruise Control maintains a pre-selected safe distance (up to 150 metres) from the vehicle ahead until the C3 Aircross comes to rest. Once the vehicle comes to rest, applying the accelerator will resume operation;
• Highway Driver Assist: operating at speeds from 30 km/h to 180 km/h, Highwat Driver Assist controls vehicle speed, the distance to the vehicle ahead and steering to keep the Citroën C3 Aircross in its lane. As such, Highway Driver Assist provides autonomous driving, but requires the driver to keep their hands on the wheel to keep the system active. The driver can take back control at any moment by pushing on the Active Lane Departure Warning System button, by exerting force on the steering wheel or by braking;
• Coffee Break Alert: after two hours of continuous driving at speeds above 70 km/h, a message appears which recommends that the driver takes a break;
• Driver Attention Alert: active at speeds above 65 km/h, Driver Attention Alert uses the windscreen-mounted camera to identify ‘trajectory anomalies in relation to road markings’. If more than three anomalies are detected, the system recommends that the driver take a break;
  Speed Limit Recognition and Recommendation: uses the windscreen-mounted camera to recognise speed signs and displays the information on the instrument panel. Furthermore, the speed can be recorded as an instruction for the speed limiter / cruise control in one movement; and,
• Intelligent Beam Headlights: automatically switches between high and low beam headlight settings according to avoid dazzling other drivers.

Euro NCAP testing

In Euro NCAP testing , the Citroën C3 Aircross received a five star safety rating which included an 85 per cent adult occupant protection rating and an 82 per cent child occupant protection rating. In the frontal offset test, protection of the driver’s head, thighs, lower left leg and feet were rated as good, though chest and lower right leg protection were rated as adequate (i.e. a slight risk of serious injury). Maximum points were awarded in the side impact test; in the more severe pole test, chest protection was rated as adequate.

Wheels, tyres and brakes

The Citroën C3 Aircross had 6.5J x 17-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels with 215/50 R17 tyres; a temporary use spare wheel was included as stsandard. Furthermore, the C3 Aircross had 283 mm by 26 mm ventilated front brake discs and 249 mm by 9 mm solid rear discs.

Features: Citroën C3 Aircross Shine

The infotainment system for the Citroën C3 Aircross Shine consisted of a six speaker sound system, digital radio tuning (DAB), seven-inch touchscreen with navigation, Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity and media streaming, ‘Mirror Screen’ (smartphone integration via Mirror Link, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto), a USB socket and 3.5 mm auxiliary input jack.

Other standard features for the Citroën C3 Aircross Shine included grey ‘Mica’ cloth interior trim, climate control air conditioning, cruise control with speed limiter, halogen headlights, front fog lights, daytime LED running lights, static cornering lights, dusk-sensing headlights, rain-sensing wipers, a reversing camera, a colour heads-up display, wireless mobile phone charging (Qi standard), a leather steering wheel, leather gear knob, split/folding rear seats, remote central locking, power mirrors, power windows, a height and reach adjustable steering wheel, a height adjustable driver’s seat, push-button start, an electrochromatic (auto-dimming) rear view mirror, a 12 volt power socket, reading lights, tyre pressure monitoring, a trip computer and an immobiliser.

The Citroën C3 Aircross also had a ‘City Park Assist’ function which provided automated steering for reverse and parallel parking manoeuvres.

Features: Citroën C3 Aircross Launch Edition

Compared to the C3 Aircross Shine, the C3 Aircross Launch Edition was further equipped with grey ‘Metro’ fabric interior trim and a panoramic glass sunroof.