Citroen C3 CNG spotted testing in India before official launch

With the mass-market, rugged-looking C3 hatchback, Citroen has sent us strong indications that it is here to stay in the long-run game of volumes. The Citroen C3 has arrived at tempting prices and the increasing dealer network suggests that Citroen is having some tricks up its sleeves. And if a recent set of spy pictures are to be believed, the French carmaker is set to enter the segment of CNG-powered vehicles with the Citroen C3 CNG.

In a few spy pictures by GaadiWaadi, we can see a fully camouflaged Citroen C3 with a testing kit mounted at the back of the hatchback, which is expected to be a CNG emissions testing kit. The test mule spied was fully camouflaged, but it is safe to say that it is a Citroen C3, evident by details like dimensions, unique front styling with characteristic daytime running LEDs.

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The Citroen C3 has launched a few days ago with two powertrain options – a 1.2-litre naturally-aspirated 83 PS petrol engine and a 1.2-litre turbocharged 110 PS petrol engine. However, considering that the segment of CNG-powered vehicles caters to cost-conscious buyers, it is safe to say that the Citroen C3 CNG will use the naturally-aspirated petrol engine as its base. With the addition of the CNG kit, it is expected that the C3 CNG will have lower power and torque outputs, but higher fuel efficiency figures. The CNG-powered version of the Citroen C3 will also have a 5-speed manual gearbox.

Citroen C3 only available with petrol

Currently, the Citroen C3 is offered in two variants – base-spec Feel and higher-spec Shine. In the beginning, the Citroen C3 CNG is expected to be offered only in the Feel variant, with a CNG kit installed in its boot compartment. The Feel variant is a bare-bones, entry-level variant, which only gets essentials like front power windows, power steering and manual AC.

Launched at a starting price of Rs 5.7 lakh, the new Citroen C3 is the French carmaker’s most affordable and locally-developed model in India. The current petrol-powered C3 takes on other rugged-looking offerings like Maruti Suzuki Ignis, Tata Punch and lower variants of Nissan Magnite and Renault Kiger. The CNG-powered version of the Citroen C3 will take on similarly-priced CNG hatchbacks like Maruti Suzuki Swift, Hyundai Grand i10 Nios and Tata Tiago. Made with over 90 per cent localization level at Citroen’s Thiruvallur manufacturing facility, the new C3 is also expected to receive an optional 6-speed torque converter transmission in the coming months.

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