Citroen C3 Aircross Automatic review - Auto gearbox makes a big difference | Autocar India
Summary
TLDRThe Citroen C3 Aircross automatic variant was recently launched with a smoother 6-speed torque converter paired to the 1.2L turbo petrol engine. While not as quick shifting as a dual clutch, it provides better refinement. The C3 impresses with a comfortable ride, attractive styling, and great packaging, though it falls short on features. Priced attractively, the automatic expands its appeal. Overall, the well-priced C3 Aircross is practical and smooth, making it competitive in the crowded midsize SUV segment.
Takeaways
- 😀 The Citroen C3 Aircross automatic variant has been launched in India
- 🚗 It is powered by the same 1.2L turbo petrol engine; torque is higher by 15Nm with the automatic gearbox
- ⚙️ The automatic gearbox is a 6-speed torque converter unit sourced from Aisin
- ✅ The automatic variant feels smoother to drive than the manual version
- 👍 It has good low speed ride quality and soaks up bumps nicely
- 🛣️ High speed stability is also good; however, vertical movements are felt at the rear
- 🎉 The automatic gearbox suits the C3 Aircross well for city driving conditions
- ❌ Lacks some key features like sunroof, ventilated seats, auto climate control
- 💲 Priced attractively as always, with the automatic variant about Rs 1 lakh over manual
- 👍 Strong value proposition with smooth engine-gearbox, ride quality and interior space
Q & A
What changes have been made to the C3 Aircross with the new automatic variant?
-The key changes are a new 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission sourced from Aisin, 15Nm more torque from the 1.2L turbo petrol engine for a total of 205Nm, and some additional features over the manual variant.
How does the torque converter gearbox affect the performance?
-The automatic gearbox makes the C3 Aircross feel more refined and eager in city driving conditions compared to the manual, but lacks some of the shift quickness of dual clutch gearboxes. There is a slight hesitation when kicking down at highway speeds.
What are some highlights of the ride and handling of the C3 Aircross?
-Key ride and handling highlights are the light and easy to maneuver steering, good high speed stability, a soft suspension that absorbs bumps very well for comfort, and decent overall balance between ride and handling.
What features are still missing in the C3 Aircross automatic?
-Some key missing features are a sunroof, ventilated seats, auto climate control, and more. There has also been some cost cutting seen in the door handles, key, lack of rear window controls, and AC knobs.
How practical is the C3 Aircross for carrying passengers and luggage?
-Passenger space is ample even for tall adults in both rows, with a reclining 2nd row. The optional 3rd row is very tight and best for kids. Uniquely, the 3rd row seats can be removed to allow a maximum luggage space of 511 liters.
What is the expected pricing of the C3 Aircross automatic variant?
-Official pricing is not announced yet, but expected to be around Rs. 1 lakh over the equivalent manual variant. For reference, the manual variants range from Rs. 9.99 lakhs to 12.97 lakhs currently.
What are some strengths of the C3 Aircross?
-Key strengths are attractive styling, good space and packaging, smooth and eager engine performance (especially with the new automatic), impressive ride quality and stability, and most importantly an aggressive pricing positioning.
What customer segment does the C3 Aircross automatic appeal to?
-The automatic gearbox significantly broadens the appeal to customers who desire the convenience and smoothness it offers in urban conditions, over the manual variant of the C3 Aircross which caters more to enthusiastic drivers.
How does the C3 Aircross compare to rivals like Creta and Seltos?
-The C3 Aircross competes closely with Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos in the hotly contested mid-size SUV space, with the automatic helping close feature gaps. It is weaker in some premium feel aspects but offers great practicality and pricing.
What is the takeaway recommendation on the C3 Aircross automatic?
-It is an SUV that nails the fundamentals like space, comfort, pricing and now smoothness of the auto gearbox too. Hence it is easy to recommend, especially for city use, if you can overlook some missing premium features.
Outlines
😊 Overview of the updated Citroën C3 Aircross SUV with a new automatic transmission option
This paragraph provides an introduction to the updated Citroën C3 Aircross SUV that was launched last year. It now comes with a 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission paired to the existing 1.2L turbo petrol engine. The automatic gearbox improves torque, makes the powertrain feel more refined, and enhances driveability especially in the city. However, it is not as quick shifting as a dual clutch auto. The SUV retains its strengths like ride quality, handling balance, style and value.
😃 A well-priced automatic SUV option with good ride and handling
This paragraph highlights that the automatic gearbox brings more appeal to the C3 Aircross and makes it suitable for a wider audience. While exact pricing is unavailable, expect a premium of around Rs. 1 lakh over the manual variants. It continues to offer fundamentals like practicality, packaging and ride handling balance at a good price. Areas for improvement include more features and improved quality in some areas.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡midsize SUV
💡torque converter
💡paddle shifters
💡equipment
💡cost cutting
💡token amount
💡back rest
💡third row seats
💡fundamentals
💡shortlist
Highlights
The C3 Across gets a 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission mated to the 1.2L turbo petrol engine
Torque is up by 15Nm to 205Nm with the automatic variant compared to the manual
The automatic transmission is smooth and responsive, but not as quick shifting as a dual clutch unit
Manual mode via tipronic helps keep the engine in the powerband when required
The automatic has good low-speed response and picks up eagerly to throttle inputs
Ride quality is one of the best in class with good bump absorption
High speed stability is good but vertical movements are felt at the rear
The C3 Across has attractive style inside and out with a funky dashboard
Equipment is still lacking compared to rivals - no sunroof, ventilated seats etc
Front and middle row space is ample, third row is tight
Third row seats are removable to increase luggage room
Cost cutting evident in some areas like door handles and controls
The automatic broadens the C3 Across' appeal greatly
Pricing starts at Rs. 9.99 lakhs and ranges up to Rs. 12.97 lakhs
A very well-packaged and practical SUV now with smooth auto option
Transcripts
[Music]
this is the citran C3 across that was
launched last year in the hotly
contested midsize SUV segment to go up
against the likes of the Hyundai creta
and the Kia seltos now when we drove it
last year we did like quite a few things
about it like it's strong fundamentals
its aggressive price tag and its clever
packaging but we did find that it was
lacking in terms of features and
powertrain options that is until now
this is the citen C3 across automatic
and here's what it's like to
drive but before we proceed do subscribe
to the autocar India YouTube channel and
like this video If you enjoyed watching
so the gearbox is a six-speed to
converter unit that's made it to the
same 1.2 L turbo petrol engine as before
the power is still the same at 110
horsepower but torque has gone up with
this automatic version this puts out 205
n m which is 15 more than the
manual this engine feels smooth and
refined and it pulls linearly all the
way to the red line citen turbo Patrol
has a good mid-range punch too but as
with any other three-port motor you do
hear the thrm sound inside the cabin
when you're really revving it out
now let's talk about the gearbox now
this is a six-speed torque converter
unit and it's been soured from Isen
which also supplies gearbox to the likes
of the scoda kosak and the Volkswagen
tyon in this car segment it's not as
quick as a dual clutch automatic
transmission but what it lacks for in
shift speed it makes up for in
smoothness part throttle responses are
also very good and the gearbox responds
very eagerly to your throttle inputs
however when you're on a highway and you
want to make a quick overtake you put
your foot
down and there is that little moment of
hesitation before it kicks down and you
proceed ahead the C3 across automatic
also comes with the option of manual
control for the gearbox but it's not via
paddle shifters on the steering wheel it
is via this Tiptronic function on the
gear lever the manual shifter works well
and it helps you keep the engine in the
meat of the Power Band when
required what I also like about this
gearbox is it's offthe line response
when you're stationary you just have to
Pro the throttle gently and the C3
aircross will go forward without
hesitation we're yet to test the C3
across Auto for performance and fuel
efficiency so stay tuned for that the
automatic not only feels more seamless
than the manual it also feels more at
home in the
city
and what also helps matters in the city
is this steering it's nice and light and
easy to Twirl in traffic and as you pick
up the pace it picks up in weight and
gives you that good confidence and
feedback that you
need ride and handling balance is
another strong point of the C3 I cross
in fact it is one of the best riding
SUVs in its class low speed ride is
impressive as this SUV soaks up rough
edges pot holes and ruts with ease this
soft Edge makes the C3 acoss a very
comfortable car to ride in though at
high speeds it does tend to bob up and
down a bit especially at the rear
straight line stability is good too and
the C3 across inspires confidence around
the bz other strong points of the C3
aircross remain as is it remains a nice
looking SUV that is proportionate and it
has that typical French flare inside and
outside
[Music]
the attractive looking light
arrangements and Alloys on the outside
and the funky looking panel on the
dashboard inside do help the cause
however it still fall shorts on the
equipment front with features like a
sunroof ventilated seats autoclimate
control and much more not being on offer
here's a look at the complete features
[Music]
list
[Music]
the citen seats are comfy all around and
it's easy to find your Ideal Driving
position space in the second row is
ample for six-footers and the back rest
even reclines however the optional third
row is tight and best reserve for
children or adults for short drives
uniquely the third row seats can be
removed entirely to liberate 5 11 L of
luggage space and they can be used as
picnic chairs
instead what you won't like is the
blatant cost cutting that's gone on in
this SUV the most prominent of which are
the door handles the simple key the
absence of individual window controls
for the rear and the chunky AC knobs to
name a few the C3 across was always an
Sue that got the fundamentals right at a
very attractive price tag and now with
this automatic gearbox option it appeals
to an even wider customer base than
before the citen C3 I cross automatic is
on sale right now and you can book yours
for a token amount of rupees
25,000 at the time of recording we don't
have the prices but expect the auto to
cost around rupes 1 lakh more than the
equivalent manual variant for reference
the C3 aircross manual is priced between
rupees 9.99 to
12.97% fits the bill so if you are on
the lookout for an SUV that is practical
superbly packaged very well priced and
has a smooth engine and gearbox the C3
aircross should definitely be on your
short
list
تصفح المزيد من مقاطع الفيديو ذات الصلة
Citroën C3 Aircross : SUV 7-seater 289 jutaan!
Mini Palisade😍 2024 Hyundai Alcazar Signature Diesel AT Review
Maruti Suzuki Baleno 2024: Should You Buy One? | View
NEW MG3 review – the CHEAPEST and BEST hybrid? | What Car?
Tata Nexon cng 2024 vs brezza CNG | Comparison | All Details
GEELY COOLRAY : ¿El SUV más rápido de origen chino?
5.0 / 5 (0 votes)