Citroen C3 Aircross Automatic review - Auto gearbox makes a big difference | Autocar India

Summary

The 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

00:00

😊 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.

05:00

😃 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.

Keywords

💡midsize SUV

Midsize SUV refers to a category of sport utility vehicles that are larger than compact SUVs but smaller than full-size SUVs. The video mentions the C3 Aircross competes in the midsize SUV segment against models like the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos. This positions the C3 Aircross as a practical yet affordable family SUV.

💡torque converter

A torque converter is a type of automatic transmission that allows the engine to disconnect from the transmission during gear changes, leading to smooth and seamless shifts. The video states the C3 Aircross automatic uses a 6-speed torque converter unit for greater refinement compared to the manual.

💡paddle shifters

Paddle shifters are levers attached to the steering wheel that allow the driver to manually change gears in an automatic transmission car. The video mentions the C3 Aircross lacks paddle shifters, instead offering manual gear control via the gear lever.

💡equipment

Equipment refers to the features, technology and comforts offered in a car. The video says the C3 Aircross falls short on equipment compared to rivals, lacking options like a sunroof, ventilated seats, and more.

💡cost cutting

Cost cutting refers to steps taken to reduce manufacturing expenses. The video points out some elements like the door handles and AC knobs reflect cost cutting and compromise on the C3 Aircross.

💡token amount

A token amount refers to a small or nominal sum of money. The video states the C3 Aircross automatic can be booked by paying a token amount of Rs. 25,000.

💡back rest

The back rest is the rear passenger seat that can recline for added comfort. The video praises the C3 Aircross' back rest and space for rear passengers.

💡third row seats

Third row seats provide seating capacity for up to 7 passengers. The C3 Aircross has removable third row seats but space is very tight, best for children.

💡fundamentals

Fundamentals refer to the core aspects like practicality, space, comfort that underpin the basic experience of an SUV. The video says the C3 Aircross gets these fundamentals right.

💡shortlist

A shortlist refers to a narrowed down selection of best options. The video recommends shortlisting the C3 Aircross automatic if seeking a well-priced and smooth riding SUV.

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