Citroen C3 Aircross automatic to launch by January-end

The Citroen C3 Aircross has found very limited appeal in our market with just one powertrain on offer. An automatic gearbox has sorely been missing from the line-up, let alone the fact that it is rather sparsely equipped. Well, Citroen will finally be fixing one of these aspects – the automatic gearbox-equipped C3 Aircross is slated to launch by the end of this month. Our dealer sources suggest prices will be lower than the entry-level automatic variants of rivals.  

1. C3 Aircross to get 6-speed torque converter automatic
2. Will likely be sourced Japanese transmission maker Aisin
3. Similar AT gearbox also used by Volkswagen, Skoda and MG

Citroen C3 Aircross automatic: what to expect?

Citroen already offers a 6-speed torque converter automatic gearbox on the C3 Aircross in Indonesia that’s sourced from Japanese transmission maker Aisin, and the same unit is expected to come to India as well. Citroen even uses this Aisin 6-speed AT on the European-spec C3 hatchback.

Indonesian-spec C3 Aircross automatic pictured here.

Incidentally, it's from the same family of gearboxes as the ones used in the Skoda Kushaq and Slavia, and the Volkswagen Taigun and Virtus for their 1.0-litre TSI engines, and the MG Astor for its 1.3-litre turbo-petrol engine. Torque converters have been the mainstay in the midsize SUV segment, with five out of nine models being offered with one, so the C3 Aircross will be in the right company. The other most popular AT gearbox in the segment is a CVT, while some models also offer DCTs.

This gearbox will come mated to the 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbo-petrol engine, and will likely be offered on the higher-spec Plus and Max trims. Although specs are yet to be confirmed, the Indonesian-spec C3 Aircross produces 190hp and 205Nm with the AT gearbox – power remains unchanged from the manual version, but torque is up by 15Nm. The gearbox also features a manual mode, but does not get paddleshifters.

Although the lack of features makes it feel compromised, the C3 Aircross has a very robust mechanical package with a punchy engine and fantastic ride quality, and the new AT gearbox should fill the sizeable gap in its line-up.

More Citroen automatic models to follow

Following the C3 Aircross, the same gearbox is also expected to make it to the C3 hatchback. A torque converter will be expensive for the entry-level segment, where AMTs are more popular for their cost effectiveness, but that should help the C3 stand out as a more sophisticated mechanical package. The upcoming C3X coupe-SUV is also expected to come with the 6-speed gearbox, likely right from launch. However, its launch is likely to be delayed as Citroen is looking to equip it more generously, correcting the shortcomings of its existing models.