The new Citroen e-C3 has been named ‘Car of the Year’ at the 2024 Company Car & Van Awards, beating rivals such as the MG 4, the BYD Dolphin, and the Mazda MX-30. The award recognizes the best vehicles for business users, based on criteria such as value, performance, efficiency, and practicality. So, what makes the e-C3 so great? Here are some of the reasons why the judges were impressed by this small electric car.
Rugged design and spacious interior
The e-C3 is the first model to display Citroen’s new design language and logo, which were previewed by the Citroen Oli Concept in 2022. The e-C3 features a tall, boxy design, slim LED headlights, chunky wheel arch cladding, and roof rails. The result is a look that’s more reminiscent of a small SUV than a small hatchback, giving the e-C3 a distinctive and robust appearance.
The Citroen e-C3 electric car also offers a spacious and comfortable interior, with plenty of room for five passengers and their luggage. The boot capacity is 300 liters, which can be expanded to 1,000 liters by folding the rear seats. The dashboard consists of a stepped design, with a digital driver’s display on top of the dashboard and a 10.25-inch infotainment screen (optional on the entry-level version) in the center. The dashboard also features colored detailing and fabric inserts, adding some flair to the cabin. The e-C3 also comes with various features to enhance the driving experience, such as wireless charging, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a reversing camera, and a head-up display.
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Efficient and affordable electric powertrain
The e-C3 is powered by a 111-hp electric motor and a 44-kWh battery, which delivers an official range of 199 miles. This is less than some of its competitors, such as the MG 4 (218 miles) and the BYD Dolphin (211 miles), but more than enough for most daily journeys. The e-C3 also offers a lower entry-level price than its rivals, starting from $25,000 (estimated), which makes it one of the most affordable electric cars on the market. The e-C3 also benefits from lower running costs, such as cheaper electricity, lower maintenance, and tax exemptions.
The Citroen e-C3 can charge at up to 100 kW of DC fast charging, which means a 10-80% top-up should take around 30 minutes with a suitably powerful charging point. This is similar to the MG 4 and faster than the Dolphin. The e-C3 can also charge at 3.3 kW of AC charging, which takes 10.5 hours to fully charge. The charge port is conveniently located on the front left fender, making it easy to access.
The e-C3 also offers three driving modes: Normal, Eco, and Sport. Normal mode provides the best balance between performance and efficiency, while Eco mode reduces the torque to 120 Nm and increases the range by 10-15%. Sport mode boosts the torque to 180 Nm and improves the acceleration but reduces the range by 10-15%. The e-C3 also has two levels of regenerative braking, which can be selected by using the gear selector. The higher level allows for one-pedal driving, while the lower level provides a more conventional feel.
Smooth and quiet driving dynamics
The e-C3 delivers a smooth and quiet driving experience thanks to its electric powertrain and suspension. The e-C3 has a 0-60 mph time of 6.8 seconds, which is not very fast but adequate for most situations. The e-C3 feels perky at low speeds, thanks to the instant torque of the electric motor, but loses some steam at higher speeds. The e-C3 has a top speed of 107 mph, which is sufficient for highway driving but not very impressive.
The Citroen e-C3 electric car handles well, with light and precise steering, good body control, and a stable ride. The e-C3 is easy to maneuver in tight spaces thanks to its compact dimensions and good visibility. The e-C3 also absorbs bumps and potholes well, thanks to its soft suspension and high-profile tires. The e-C3 is very quiet, with minimal wind and road noise and no engine noise. The e-C3 also offers a good level of safety, with features such as six airbags, ABS, EBD, ESC, hill start assist, lane departure warning, and emergency braking.
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Conclusion
The e-C3 is a worthy winner of the 2024 Car of the Year award, as it offers a compelling design package, practicality, efficiency, and affordability. The e-C3 is a great choice for business users who want a small electric car to meet their needs without breaking the bank. The Citroen e-C3 electric car is also a great choice for anyone who wants a stylish, spacious, and smooth electric car that can make their daily commute more enjoyable and eco-friendly. The e-C3 is not perfect, as it has some drawbacks, such as a limited range, slow acceleration, and a hard plastic interior. However, these are minor issues compared to the many strengths of the e-C3, which make it one of the best electric cars on the market.
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