Citroen has introduced a price hike on its C3 high-riding hatchback this month, making it the third price hike introduced by the French automaker since the C3’s launch in July 2022. The price hike is due to Citroen updating the C3's two petrol powertrains to meet the upcoming Real Driving Emission (RDE) norms.
- Live and Feel trims' prices hiked by Rs 18,000
- Feel Turbo trim's prices remain unchanged
- Rivals the Maruti Ignis and Tata Punch
Citroen C3: new prices, RDE-compliant engines
The C3 continues to be powered by two 1.2-litre petrol engines which are now RDE and E20 compliant. The first is an 83hp, naturally aspirated unit that’s paired to a 5-speed manual and the second is a 110hp, turbocharged unit that’s paired to a 6-speed manual gearbox. There is no automatic gearbox option at the moment, but Citroen plans to offer a 6-speed torque converter automatic for the C3 in the second half of 2023.
The C3 is available in three trims – Live, Feel and Feel Turbo. However, the Live and Feel trims see a price hike of Rs 18,000 whereas the Feel Turbo's prices remain unchanged. The C3 now starts at Rs 6.16 lakh and goes up to Rs 8.25 lakh. Here is the detailed price break-up of the C3.
| Citroen C3 prices (ex-showroom, India) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Variant | New price | Old price | Difference |
| 1.2 Petrol Live | Rs 6.16 lakh | Rs 5.98 lakh | Rs 18,000 |
| 1.2 Petrol Feel | Rs 7.08 lakh | Rs 6.90 lakh | Rs 18,000 |
| 1.2 Turbo petrol Feel | Rs 8.25 lakh | Rs 8.25 lakh | Nil |
Citroen C3: rivals
The C3 takes on the manual versions of the Maruti Suzuki Ignis, Tata Punch, Nissan Magnite and Renault Kiger. With the new pricing, the base spec Citroen C3 is Rs 16,000 more expensive than the starting price of the Punch and Magnite, and Rs 34,000 costlier than the Ignis. However, it undercuts the starting price of the Kiger by Rs 34,000.
Citroen’s upcoming plans
Citroen recently launched the electric counterpart of the C3 in India, and is currently working on an all-new midsize SUV, likely to be called the C3 Aircross. This SUV is undergoing final phases of testing, and upon its expected launch later this year, will take on the likes of the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara and Toyota Hyryder. The brand will also bring the all-electric eC3 Aircross SUV in India by 2025.
With the third price rise, will you still go in for the Citroen C3 over its rivals? Let us know in the comments below.
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