Citroen announces C3 pricing

CITROEN has announced local pricing and specification for its new C3 small car with first sales expected to start in December.

As expected, the C3 range opens at $19,990 for the 55kW 1.4-litre C3 SX manual, which includes remote central locking, power front windows, air-conditioning, cloth upholstery and electric power steering as standard.

The 1.4-litre C3 Exclusive adds ABS, foglights and velour upholstery for $20,990, with the automatic version also offering climate control air-conditioning for $22,990.

That pricing pitches the C3 head-to-head with French rivals such as the Peugeot 206 and the Renault Clio, and it is also close to larger rivals like the entry level Holden Astra, Ford Focus and Toyota Corolla.

While the 1.4-litre models released at the Sydney motor show will represent the bulk of Australian C3 sales, the 80kW 1.6-litre C3 models will provide further impetus when they arrive in Australian Citroen dealerships in mid-2003.

They will bring the option of either a manual transmission or the Sensodrive automated manual gearbox.

"Our plan for 2002 was to use the Citroen C3 to double Citroen sales in Australia," said Citroen Australia general manager Miles Williams.

"However, intense demand for the C3 ... saw our launch delayed.

"Nevertheless, demand for the existing Citroen range has enabled us to almost reach our 2002 target of doubling our sales.

"So with the C3 in full supply in 2003, as well as supply catching up with demand for models such as C5 and the arrival of the new Citroen Berlingo, we expect 2003 to be a special year for Citroen in Australia."