Citroen may introduce a tall-stance sedan coupe as their third CMP-based vehicle, with the possibility of an all-electric variant in the future.
Citroen has placed a strong emphasis on scalability, diversity, and local production of its cars in the Indian market. Upon entering India, the automaker committed to introducing three new vehicles manufactured in the country within a span of three years. With the successful launch of the C3 hatchback in 2022 and the recent global debut of the C3 Aircross SUV, reports suggest that Citroen’s upcoming vehicle will be a crossover coupe, aiming to make a significant impact on the sedan market in the coming year.
Citroen C3 sedan crossover: What to expect?
Citroen plans to leverage its localized Common Modular Platform (CMP) to introduce a new vehicle that is expected to have a similar length of around 4.3 meters, like its upcoming SUV counterpart, the C3 Aircross. The French automaker aims to disrupt the mid-size sedan segment with a unique twist. The new vehicle will be a sedan coupe cross, designed to exude a sporty appearance and feature a tall driving stance, adding practicality to its design.
This approach aligns with the philosophy adopted by the Volkswagen Group in India with models such as the Skoda Slavia and Volkswagen Virtus. By opting for a notchback design, Citroen intends to capitalize on the spacious boot characteristic of sedans, ensuring ample luggage space for customers. With SUV-inspired attributes, the new Citroen sedan cross is expected to showcase a muscular and imposing design, featuring oversized wheel arches and potentially sporting 17-inch alloy wheels, similar to the C3 Aircross.
Citroen C3 sedan crossover: Interiors
Being the third installment in the C3 series, the interior design and materials of the new sedan cross are anticipated to resemble those of the C3 Aircross. The vehicle is likely to feature a 10-inch infotainment system with support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with an all-digital driver’s instrument console. The cabin may also come with leatherette seat upholstery and a basic air conditioning system controlled by rotary knobs. Similar to the upcoming SUV and hatchback models, the sedan cross might not include certain features such as a sunroof, front ventilated seats, and a wireless phone charger.
Citroen C3 sedan crossover: Engine
Currently, Citroen’s vehicles manufactured in India come with two engine options: a 1.2-liter naturally aspirated engine and a 1.2-liter turbo petrol engine. The naturally aspirated engine produces 81bhp and 115 Nm of torque, while the turbo petrol engine delivers 109bhp and 190 Nm of torque. Both engines are available only with a manual transmission, with the naturally aspirated engine paired with a 5-speed gearbox and the turbo petrol engine with a 6-speed gearbox. Based on Citroen’s strategy for the C3 Aircross, it is likely that the new sedan cross will only be offered with a turbo petrol engine. Currently, there are no automatic transmission options available for any of the C3-based vehicles. Similar to the C3 hatchback and SUV, Citroen plans to introduce an electric version of the sedan cross in the future.
Citroen C3 sedan crossover: Competition
While Citroen has not officially confirmed it yet, it is anticipated that the new sedan cross will be unveiled and launched sometime in the upcoming year. Once released, it will enter the competitive mid-size sedan segment, where it will contend with popular models such as the Hyundai Verna, Honda City, Maruti Suzuki Ciaz, Skoda Slavia, and Volkswagen Virtus. These established vehicles currently dominate the segment and pose as formidable competitors for Citroen’s upcoming sedan cross.
