Citroen C3 budget hatch gets turbo power, safety upgrade

The current Citroen C3 has been imported from India since 2023 as a more back-to-basics model than the French-built version that preceded it.

Now Stellantis South Africa has added extra substance to the budget hatchback, with a safety upgrade across the board and the addition of a turbocharged automatic model to the range.

Priced at R299,900, the new C3 Max Turbo is powered by a 1.2-litre turbopetrol engine, good for 81kW and 205Nm and paired exclusively with a six-speed automatic gearbox.

This joins the existing normally aspirated 1.2 Plus and 1.2 Max models, which offer 60kW and 115Nm and a five-speed manual gearbox. These cost R249,900 and R259,900 respectively, with six airbags now fitted as standard across the range.

In terms of standard features, the base version comes with manual air conditioning, multi-function steering wheel, remote central locking, electric windows, rear park distance control and a 10-inch infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

The 1.2 Max adds 15-inch alloy wheels to the equation as well as front foglights, reverse camera and electric mirror adjustment.

Further to that the 1.2 Max Turbo gains stability control, automatic climate control, electric-folding mirrors and LED headlights.

All models are sold with a two-year or 30,000km service plan and five-year/100,000km warranty.

IOL