Citroen's first made-for-India model, the new C3 premium hatchback, is set to launch in India on July 20. Revealed late last year, bookings for Citroen's first mass-market model for India open on July 1 with the hatchback set to be offered with a pair of 1.2-litre petrol engines. Citroen earlier this week revealed some new details about its hatchback including confirming the engine line-up and sharing details on the equipment that will be available. While you will have to wait to current wait to read our review we take a look at how the upcoming Citroen compares to some of its expected rivals in the market.
While the C3 has the look of a micro or subcompact SUV, Citroen will be marketing the model as a hatchback. The main competition will come in the form of the Hyundai Grand i10 Nios and the crossover-inspired Maruti Ignis with the high-riding Punch micro-SUV also being a key rival.
Also read: New Citroen C3 Technical Specification Revealed
Compared to the other models here the C3 is the longest.
Starting with the size Citroen has only revealed the wheelbase and ground clearance figures for the new C3 though vehicle certification documents from ICAT filed with the Delhi Transport department reveal more details on the size of the C3.
| Citroen C3 | Hyundai Grand i10 Nios | Maruti Ignis | Tata Punch | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 3981mm* | 3805mm | 3700mm | 3827mm |
| Width | 1733mm* | 1680mm | 1690mm | 1742mm |
| Height | 1586mm* | 1520mm | 1595mm | 1615mm |
| Wheelbase | 2540mm | 2450mm | 2435mm | 2445mm |
*Figures from certification documents filed with the Delhi Transport Department.
The C3 is the longest vehicle in this comparison by a fair margin with the wheelbase also up to 90mm longer than its competitors. The Punch meanwhile is the tallest and widest model here at 1742mm wide and 1615mm tall.
The Punch is both the widest and tallest car here and also sits the highest of the ground at 190mm.
In terms of ground clearance, the C3 at 180mm is near identical to the Ignis though the Punch given it's SUV nature sits the highest of the ground at about 190mm.
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Moving to the engine line-up, the Citroen C3 will be available with a pair of 1.2-litre petrol engines – one naturally aspirated while the other will be turbocharged. In terms of displacement, a 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol unit is par for the course with the differences down to the number of cylinders. The Punch and C3 use three cylinder units while the Ignis and Nios both get four cylinder engines.
| Citroen C3 | Hyundai Grand i10 Nios | Maruti Ignis | Tata Punch | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1.2 naturally-aspirated, 3 cyls, petrol | 1.2 naturally-aspirated, 4 cyls, petrol | 1.2 naturally-aspirated, 4 cyls, petrol | 1.2 naturally-aspirated, 3 cyls, petrol |
| Power | 81 bhp | 82 bhp | 82 bhp | 84.5 bhp |
| Torque | NA | 114 Nm | 113 Nm | 113 Nm |
| Gearbox | 5-speed MT | 5-speed MT/AMT | 5-speed MT/AMT | 5-speed MT/AMT |
| Fuel economy (claimed) | 19.8 kmpl | 20.7/20.2 kmpl | 20.89 kmpl | 18.97/18.82 kmpl |
In terms of power output, Citroen's 1.2-litre naturally aspirated unit is 1 bhp down on the Grand i10 Nios and Ignis. Tata's unit is the most powerful at 84.5 bhp though torque output for all units is nearly similar. Citroen however is yet to officially reveal the torque output for its 1.2 naturally aspirated unit. All but the Citroen have the added convenience of being available with AMT gearbox options. Citroen has yet to confirm an automatic gearbox option for the C3.
Both the Ignis and Grand i10 use 4 cylinder naturally aspirated units
Moving to the turbo-petrol, it's only the Citroen C3 and the Hyundai Grand i10 Nios that offer this option.
| Citroen C3 | Hyundai Grand i10 Nios | |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1.2 turbo-petrol | 1.0 turbo-petrol |
| Power | 108 bhp | 99 bhp |
| Torque | 190 Nm | 172 Nm |
| Gearbox | 6-speed MT | 5-speed MT |
| Fuel economy (claimed) | 19.4 kmpl | 20.3 kmpl |
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Grand i10 Nios Turbo's 1.0-litre three-cylinder engine good for 99 bhp and 172 Nm
The Citroen has the clear advantage in this department housing a larger 1.2-litre mill compared to the Nios' smaller 1.0-litre GDI unit. The Citroen also has the power and torque advantage at 108bhp and 190 Nm with the Nios Turbo developing 99 bhp and 172 Nm. Another crucial difference is the gearbox with Citroen offering one additional gear ratio to play with – 6-speed vs 5-speed. This could prove beneficial for high speed cruising out on the highways for the Citroen. Neither hatchback gets the option of an automatic with the turbo-petrol.
