After teasing the arrival of its first EV for months, Citroën has finally taken the wraps off the Ë-C3 electric hatchback in India. As expected, this new EV is based on the ICE-powered Citroën C3, albeit with a few differences, primarily the electric powertrain.
The company decided not to unveil its new EV at the Auto Expo, perhaps with the concern that its EV would be drowned out by the sea of other electric car announcements that happened at the annual automotive event.
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Citroën Ë-C3 features and range
Thanks to the company’s announcement, we’re also getting an excellent idea about the EV’s specifications. Starting with the motor, Citroën says it is capable of delivering 57 hp and 143Nm of peak torque. This translates to a top speed of 107 kmph and 0-60 kmph acceleration of 6.8 seconds.
The automaker is utilising a 29.2 kWh battery underneath, which can reportedly run for up to 320 km on a full charge. Keeping in line with most modern EVs, the Ë-C3 supports DC fast charging, potentially juicing up the vehicle from 10 to 80% in merely 57 minutes. There’s a built-in eco mode which should help the EV run as long as possible. Citroën has also included regenerative braking with the new Ë-C3.
Moving to the inside of the Ë-C3, the obvious change is the addition of an EV-specific gear selector in favour of the traditional manual gearbox. A 10.2-inch infotainment system is in place as well, accompanied by Android Auto/Apple CarPlay support and support for the MyCitroën mobile app, which adds a long list of features to the EV’s media system.
Citroën Ë-C3 expected pricing and availability
Despite revealing the EV’s technical specifications, the automaker did not reveal the official pricing of the Ë-C3. But it seems feasible that the EV would carry an ex-showroom price tag of Rs 9 lakh, making it the Tata Tiago EV’s key competitor in India. Bookings for the Citroën Ë-C3 open from January 22, while the EV is expected to be available by February.
The onboard battery comes with a 1,40,000 km/7-year warranty, while the electric motor gets 1,00,000 km/5-year coverage. Lastly, the car itself is covered for three years or 1,25,000 km, whichever comes first.