New Citroen e-C3 brings 199-mile range for £22,000

The LFP chemistry brings several advantages: it is cheaper to produce, lasts longer and completely omits cobalt. However, LFP cells are not as energy-dense as nickel manganese cobalt, meaning LFP battery packs of equivalent capacity weigh more. Additionally, LFP batteries are typically more sensitive to external temperatures, with significantly reduced charge rates in cold conditions.

Citroën is confident that the relatively small range of the new C3 will be plenty, as project manager Guillaume Noël explained: “In the B-segment, we want to keep it simple. We know that, on average, most of our customers do less than 80km [50 miles] per day, and I’m sure that, even in cold weather, we will be able to meet that requirement.” In the name of affordability, no heat pump will be fitted.

To ensure the ë-C3 remains usable on longer journeys, it is capable of rapid charging at rates of up to 100kW, enabling a 20-80% charge in 26 minutes.

Ride comfort was a priority for the ë-C3 (another spiritual link to the 2CV), so it features Citroën’s Advanced Comfort hydraulic bump stops.

Straight-line performance is comparable to that of the current petrol C3. A single motor pushes 111bhp through the front wheels, allowing the ë-C3 to dispatch the 0-62mph sprint in around 11.0sec. Its top speed is 84mph.

The ë-C3 isn’t significantly longer or wider than today’s C3, but it is 100mm taller, boosting head room and bringing a more commanding driving position. Passenger space is significantly improved in other ways, too: Citroën claims the most generous rear knee room in the class.

Brand CEO Thierry Koskas confirmed that, although the two cars are now similar in proportion, the ë-C3 does not replace the Citroën C3 Aircross. Instead, the C3 Aircross will grow into a seven-seat electric SUV, also based on the Smart Car platform.

Inside the ë-C3, the goal was to provide a “zen feeling”, according to design lead Boris Reinmöller. “We just wanted it to be as simple as possible in terms of design,” he said.

There is a head-up display as standard, and the two higher trim levels feature a 10.25in infotainment touchscreen as standard, but the entry-level You variant replaces the latter with a Volkswagen Up-style smartphone dock.

A dedicated smartphone app will be created to give drivers access to music, radio, calls and sat-nav via their phone (although the touchscreen can be added as an optional extra). Every other core control is handled by a physical switch or button.

The brief for the exterior was to move away from the soft curves of the current C3, explained Reinmöller: “The earlier Citroëns were quite playful, almost to our liking a bit too playful, so we wanted to become a little bit more mature in its treatment.

“In its section treatments, [we wanted] to bring out the muscles as well, although we stayed a bit soft and gentle – it’s not a Peugeot! It’s still a friendly feel in terms of surfacing, but it’s more defined.”

Nonetheless, the new ë-C3 does retain an element of fun in its design. There are two ‘colour clip’ inserts on each side of the car which allow the addition of swappable, colour-contrasting accents.

Three hues will be available at launch – orange, neon-green and white – but Citroën confirmed plans to expand the selection of colours, adding that graphics such as national flags may eventually become available.

The importance of the ë-C3 to Citroën’s future can’t be understated: the C3 currently takes 40% of the brand’s passenger car sales, according to the firm.