New Citroen e-C3 brings 199-mile range for £21,990

Key to achieving such keen pricing was the use of the cost-effective Smart Car platform, which was originally reserved for the separate ‘CC21’ C3 sold in India and Latin America.

Although the new Europe-bound C3 was conceived as an EV, this platform can support a combustion powertrain if there is sufficient demand (as was the case in the UK with the C4 X), and Citroën has left enough room beneath the bonnet for a petrol engine. A Citroën UK spokesperson confirmed to Autocar that the combustion C3 will target a starting price below £15,000, making it a rival to the Dacia Sandero.

The Smart Car platform was adapted to satisfy European regulations, gaining a stronger crash structure (the CC21 C3 infamously scored zero stars in Latin NCAP safety testing), and was given a host of tweaks to improve refinement, while the battery compartment under the rear seat bench was changed from a T-shape to a square to improve capacity.

The LFP chemistry brings several advantages: it is cheaper to produce, lasts longer and completely omits cobalt. However, LFP cells are not as energy-dense as nickel manganese cobalt, meaning LFP battery packs of equivalent capacity weigh more. Additionally, LFP batteries are typically more sensitive to external temperatures, with significantly reduced charge rates in cold conditions.

Citroën is confident that the relatively small range of the new C3 will be plenty, as project manager Guillaume Noël explained: “In the B-segment, we want to keep it simple. We know that, on average, most of our customers do less than 80km [50 miles] per day, and I’m sure that, even in cold weather, we will be able to meet that requirement.” In the name of affordability, no heat pump will be fitted.

Ride comfort was a priority for the ë-C3 (another spiritual link to the 2CV), so it features Citroën’s Advanced Comfort hydraulic bump stops.

The ë-C3 isn’t significantly longer or wider than today’s C3, but it is 100mm taller, boosting head room and bringing a more commanding driving position. Passenger space is significantly improved in other ways, too: Citroën claims the most generous rear knee room in the class.

Brand CEO Thierry Koskas confirmed that, although the two cars are now similar in proportion, the ë-C3 does not replace the Citroën C3 Aircross. Instead, the C3 Aircross will grow into a seven-seat electric SUV, also based on the Smart Car platform.

Inside the ë-C3, the goal was to provide a “zen feeling”, according to design lead Boris Reinmöller. “We just wanted it to be as simple as possible in terms of design,” he said.

There is a head-up display as standard, and the two higher trim levels feature a 10.25in infotainment touchscreen as standard, but the entry-level You variant replaces the latter with a Volkswagen Up-style smartphone dock.

A dedicated smartphone app will be created to give drivers access to music, radio, calls and sat-nav via their phone (although the touchscreen can be added as an optional extra). Every other core control is handled by a physical switch or button.