Citroen reveals C3 Aircross compact SUV

Citroen has pulled the covers off the latest addition to its model line-up – the C3 Aircross.

The new compact SUV will go up against the likes of the Nissan Juke, and features the same funky-looking exterior as the smaller C3 supermini – albeit in a more SUV-sized package.

The new C3 Aircross is heavily influenced by the CAircross Concept car that was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this

Hyundai has unveiled its latest compact SUV – the Kona.

Joining the Tucson and Santa Fe in the company’s range of SUVs, the Kona is designed to take on the likes of Nissan’s Juke and is slated to arrive in the UK in late October.

The exterior has been given a variety of dramatic styling touches, from slim daytime running lights at the front of the car to contrasting year. Citroen claims that the new model offers the most spacious interior in its class, with generous amounts of leg and headroom in both the front and back of the car.

Personalisation is another key feature of the new C3 Aircross, with the French manufacturer offering up to 90 colour combinations. There are eight body colours to choose from, as well as four roof colours and four Colour Packs.

Customers will also be black “armour” designed to both protect it and give it a more dynamic look.

Inside, the Kona benefits from a large infotainment screen, and has been designed to “float” above the dashboard, giving a better sense of Hyundai premieres all-new Konainterior space. This system will be available with a five, seven or eight-inch display, and will incorporate smartphone connectivity options such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The underfloor layout of the car has also been extensively worked upon, so that, despite being four-wheeldrive, there’s plenty of room for all passengers. The rear seats fold flat to provide better practicality levels, too.

Offered with a choice of two turbocharged, smallcapacity petrol engines, the able to choose from five different interior design choices, which Citroen says are “inspired by the worlds of furniture and fashion”.

The new model will be available with a choice of three petrol and two diesel engines. Kona should be economical as well as fun to drive. The first is a 1.0-litre unit linked to a six-speed manual transmission, while the second is a larger 1.6-litre turbocharged engine driven through a sevenspeed dual-clutch automatic.

An optional four-wheeldrive system will be available, while refinement levels should be impressive thanks to a MacPherson front strut

The petrol line-up consists of the 128bhp unit with a six-speed manual gearbox, a 109bhp engine with either a manual or automatic transmission and an 81bhp engine with a manual gearbox. As far as diesel engines are concerned, system and new sub frame bush mountings.

A host of safety features customers will be able to choose from a 118bhp unit with a sixspeed manual or a less powerful 99bhp manual.

The new model is also available with a wide range of safety equipment, such as blind-spot monitoring, will also be included in the Kona, including Forward Collision Avoidance Assist lane-departure warning, a rear parking camera and active safety brake to name but a few.

While no word has yet been issued on how much the new C3 Aircross will cost, it is set to go on sale in the UK on November 1. (FCA), Lane Keeping Assist and Driver Attention Warning.