2017 Citroen C3 city car revealed

The 2017 Citroen C3 has been unveiled with styling inspired by the brand’s quirky Cactus model and a raft of Mini-style customisation options.

Citroen Australia is currently negotiating a potential mid-2017 introduction for the French brand’s latest-generation city car, which competes against rivals such as the Ford Fiesta, Mazda 2 and Toyota Yaris.

The five-door vehicle, which is a fraction shorter than four metres in length, is available in up to 36 possible colour combinations.

There are nine body colours and three roof colours, while customers can also select colour options for the foglight surrounds, side mirrors, rear window surround, plus the distinctive, scratch-proof Airbump side panels that are borrowed from the C4 Cactus.

A notable highlight inside the C3’s cabin is a full-HD camera mounted behind the rear-view mirror. The driver or front passenger can use the ConnectedCam system to record photos or videos for sharing on social media (read our separate story).

There’s also a rear-view camera, with other available safety systems including lane departure warning and blind spot detection.

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The minimalist cabin is dominated up front by a 7-inch touchscreen that Citroen calls the C3’s “control centre”. There is a conventional instrument cluster ahead of the driver.

Citroen says it has focused on cabin ergonomics, as part of its previously reported ambition to produce the most refined and comfortable cars in the segments in which it competes.

This includes a panoramic sunroof for a brighter interior and specially constructed seats.

The French brand describes some of the cabin’s cubby-storage options as “ingenious”. Boot space is certainly good for the class, at 300 litres.

Engine options for Australia will include three three-cylinder petrol engines and two diesel engines. A six-speed manual is the standard gearbox with a six-speed auto also to be offered.

The Citroen C3 is only likely to be released in Australia if its local subsidiary can negotiate a good business case with its French headquarters. The current model was axed from Australia in 2015 due to poor sales blamed on the C3’s relatively high pricing in its price-sensitive segment.