The Citroen C3 has arrived in New Zealand, with the French car maker’s all-new small car making its debut in showrooms just in time for Christmas with an entry level price of $24,990 plus on road charges and the top version boasts the largest windscreen ever seen on a small car!

“The Citroen C3 transformed the Australian perception of Citroen,” explains Lawrie Malatios, General Manager of Citroen New Zealand. “It brought to our market for the first time small Citroens which, although they have played a major role in the European car market for most of Citroen’s history, had not been seen here. The arrival of the C3 brought a whole generation of young car buyers to Citroen for the first time, as well as a considerable number of female buyers. The new C3 will expand and develop its role of introducing the benefits of Citroen ownership to young car buyers, but, at the same time, with its sophisticated styling and performance, it will also be attractive to people wishing to downsize their car without any loss of style, comfort and driving pleasure.”

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The new Citroën C3 is a smart, sophisticated, low emissions and unique 5-door small car, designed for modern transport needs, both in the city and on the open road.

Boasting contemporary and dynamic styling, a sleek profile, refined quality throughout and an optional massive panoramic ‘Zenith’ windscreen, this is a car that sets a new benchmark in the small car segment - and is a bold reinvention of its popular predecessor, which sold more than two million examples worldwide.

“The unique Zenith windscreen, which is standard on the top versions, provides a unique driving experience and makes every journey special,” says Mr Malatios. “Much more than just a larger area of glass, it is also technically advanced, letting in light in differing amounts at different angles and stopping heat and UV rays. It is another example of Citroen’s advanced technical know-how producing a solution and a better car.”

With a focus on four main areas - STYLE, QUALITY, SPACE and EFFICIENT PERFORMANCE - Citroën’s design team have created one of the most appealing and rewarding models to own in its class.

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In addition, thanks to the availability of the unique panoramic Zenith windscreen, new C3 provides something extra - a totally new motoring sensation. Just one of the stand-out design features of this new car, the vast and flowing glass area is a quintessential application of Citroën’s ‘Créative Technologie’, a feat of vehicle engineering and an unparalleled offering in the small car market.

Not only one of the most compact models in the small car sector (9 cm shorter than 207 and Clio); the new C3 also offers one of the most spacious cabin environments and a class-leading 300-litres of boot space. The new C3’s intelligent architecture optimises internal volumes and provides generous amounts of room for all occupants - ensuring exceptional driver and passenger comfort.

On the road, new C3 combines refined performance with a smooth ride and nimble handling. The designers’ focus on the control of weight and optimising aerodynamics means the new C3 is one of Citroën’s most CO2-efficient models.

To further promote money-saving greener driving, most versions feature a Gear Efficiency Indicator (GEI), which alerts the driver at the optimum moment to change gear - helping them to minimise fuel consumption.

Designed with the latest technology to suit 21st century driving requirements, new C3 is available with Bluetooth® and USB connectivity for portable media players as standard on the Exclusive versions and optional on other varients. The new C3 also benefits from a six-speaker audio system, with the availability of a new eight-speaker Hi-Fi system for concert theatre-like sound quality.

The range of available engines meets every requirement. New C3 offers a choice of two petrol power-plants – one of which was co-developed with BMW. With a combined cycle fuel economy of as little as 6.3 l/100 km, the new Citroën C3 offers a combination of stylish and economical motoring. The all important carbon dioxide rating is from as little as 145 g/km.

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As with any new Citroën model, safety is assured. The new C3 features an array of active and passive safety equipment, which includes a reinforced body structure and ESP, ABS with EBD, up to six airbags, EBA as standard, as well as the availability of cruise control with speed limiter on two of the three variants.

The new C3 will be offered in Citroën’s three core trim levels – VT, VTR+ and Exclusive – offering an extensive range of variants.

Prices start at $24,990 plus on road costs for the Citroën C3 VT, while the VTR+ costs $29,990 with the combination of a petrol engine and an automatic gearbox. Topping the range is the C3 Exclusive with the petrol engine/automatic gearbox priced at $34,990 with all prices exclusive of on road costs.

“The stylish, grown-up, yet fun C3 is impossible to confuse with any other car,” says Lawrie Malatios. “Retaining the exuberant charm and friendly personality of its predecessor, the new C3 represents a bold, contemporary, dynamically rewarding and fresh approach to the compact family vehicle, and provides a unique offering with that sensational panoramic Zenith windscreen.

In these exciting times for Citroën, new models such as C3 clearly show the confidence of the brand. This new car illustrates our determination to exceed expectations, to do away with convention and to provide practical benefits through the use of Créative Technologie.”

ENDS

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