C3 Aircross in a class of its own

TARGET: FOR THOSE LOOKING FOR A ROBUST, PROTECTIVE SUV

Seating five easily, comfort and convenience features sums up Citroën’s offering. Andre de Kock

Like its bigger C5 brother, the Citroën C3 Aircross cannot be mistaken for any other vehicle. It boasts unique body styling, plus all the attributes of a robust and protective SUV, including raised ground clearance, a high-set driving position, large wheels and wing extenders.

It comes with the same three-cylinder, turbocharged, 1 199cc engine as the C3 Shine model, also kicking out 81kW of power at 5 500rpm and 205Nm of torque at 1 500rpm – all sent to the front wheels via a six-speed automatic gearbox. Citroën says it will go to 100km/h in 10.7 seconds, with a top speed of 184km/h.

It is 4 154mm long, 1 756mm wide and 1 637mm high, with 16inch alloy wheels inside of 205/50/ R16 tyres.

Citroën makes the point that this is a true SUV, with 178mm of ground clearance, plus front and rear skid plates.

Setting it aside from other vehicles in the class, the C3 Aircross has unique styling touches, like colour on the roof bars and Venetian blind rear quarter lights.

It has halogen headlamps, automatic headlamps, LED daytime running lights, rear lights in full LED 3D, front fog lights that swivel when cornering, welcome lights and a licence plate LED lamp.

In its Shine persona it has red coloured side mirrors, chrome door handles, coloured rear quarter windows, and red roof bars.

Comfort and convenience features abound, like programmable cruise control with a speed limiter, keyless start and smart entry, front and rear centre armrests, one-touch electric window operation, plus an electrochrome rear view mirror.

There is also automatic air conditioning, a multi-function height and depth-adjustable steering wheel, plus automatic wipers

C3 1.2 Feel ................................................. R239 900 C3 1.2 THP AT Shine ................................... R289 900 C3 Aircross 1.2 THP AT Feel ....................... R339 900 C3 Aircross 1.2 THP AT Shine ..................... R359 900 with a rain sensor.

It will seat five adults in cloth covered seats, that will split and fold in a 60/40 configuration in the rear to increase the luggage space from 410 litres to 520 litres.

Safety features naturally include an anti-lock braking system, electronic brakeforce distribution and emergency brake assist, traction control, hill-start assist, airbags all round, automatic drive-away locking, a tyre pressure sensor, a driver’s seatbelt unfastened warning and an anti-theft alarm system.

There is a seven-inch touchscreen radio with USB, bluetooth, a 12V socket and six speakers as well as a mirror screen with Apple carplay and Android auto, an on-board computer and on-board navigation system.

Most of my time at the launch was spent behind the wheel of the C3 Aircross and it impressed with its nimble handling and uncanny ability to soak up rough road conditions.

Fast it is not, but Citroën’s targeted customers will not be looking for a race car, but unique styling and supreme comfort – both of which this vehicle supplies.