The Citroen eC3 will be the first electric car to feature the French brand’s badge and is set to launch in 2023. Despite the relative low adoption rates of electric cars and Citroen in the Indian market as compared to ICE cars and other car brands, the eC3 might be the most cost-effective option in the market.
To explore this further, we spent some time with the eC3 to determine if it is indeed the best value-for-money electric car in the Indian market.
Also Read: Auto Expo 2023 Saw Record Turnout of 6.36 Lakh Visitors, SIAM Says
2023 Citroen eC3: A Stylishly Unique Design Review
Without doubt, the Citroen eC3 is virtually indistinguishable from its petrol-powered C3 equivalent. Whether one likes the styling of the C3 or not, it can be assumed that the same verdict will be passed on the eC3.
We are personally fond of the eC3’s design, with its wide stance, flared wheel arches, and vertically-split headlights adding to its appeal.
The eC3 from Citroen has been updated with a new charging port cover on the right-side fender, as well as ‘e’ badges on the doors.
The rear face also has new badges, as well as black cladding, roof rails, stylish alloy wheels, squarish tail lamps, and dual-tone paint schemes that were seen on the petrol-powered C3.
Additionally, it now comes with more color options.
The dimensions of the eC3 remain the same, measuring
- 3,981 mm in length,
- 1,733 mm in width, and,
- 1,604 mm in height.
The overall design of the car is attractive, with a youthful and stylish aesthetic.
Citroen has successfully incorporated a traditional grille, without any green or blue detailing that is common among other electric vehicles.
2023 Citroen eC3 Review: Roomy Interior
The interior of the Citroen eC3 is very similar to that of the C3, providing plenty of space for up to five people to sit comfortably.
The dashboard layout remains unchanged, giving the interior a fun, colorful look.
The eC3 has done away with the traditional gear lever and replaces it with a C5-style toggle switch for engaging R, N, or D modes.
It also has two driving modes: Eco and Normal. Additionally, Citroen has included a day-night IRVM that was absent on the C3.
Also Read: LG लेकर आया है 97 इंच का नया वायरलेस OLED TV
Citroen has included connected car features as part of the new package. Additionally, the brand has launched a mobile application that provides the vehicle’s essential information on a handheld device.
Unfortunately, it was not possible to add further features such as powered ORVMs, automatic climate control, and more.
The battery pack is placed underneath the floor, making the rear footwell slightly higher.
The battery is installed in the extended wheelbase, leaving the boot area with 315 litres of space, which still contains a spare wheel.
Review of the Performance of the 2023 Citroen eC3
The Citroen eC3 is outfitted with a 57 PS permanent magnet DC motor that produces a maximum torque of 143 Nm.
This allows the eC3 to reach a top speed of 107 kmph, with 0-60 kmph timings clocking in at 6.8 seconds.
The powertrain delivers a smooth and responsive performance.
No sudden acceleration surge is present, making it suitable for city living and commuting. The power delivery is linear and the transition between acceleration and deceleration is smooth.
Furthermore, with the absence of three-pot motors, there are no vibrations.
The hatchback had a softer suspension, which made for a comfortable ride. The steering was spot on and the lowered centre of gravity provided better stability at high speeds.
The claimed range of the car with its 29.2 kWh battery pack is 320 km on a full charge, which is a good number.
However, since the car was only tested on a track and for a limited amount of time, it is difficult to ascertain the actual range in regular driving conditions.
The verdict on the 2023 Citroen eC3
We had a brief time behind the wheel of the Citroen eC3 and it definitely feels like an ideal city car. It has a great design, roomy interior, a big boot, and a 10-inch touchscreen display.
It also has a powerful engine, and the integrated charger provides a great deal of convenience.
The only factor that will determine how successful it will be is the cost, which hasn’t been revealed yet. If it is below Rs 10 lakh on the road, it will certainly be a hit.
Also Read: Apple launches new M2 Pro, M2 Max processors, leaving Intel chips only on Mac Pro