Peugeot would be the star of Stellantis’ Malaysia Autoshow stand, however those that enterprise in the direction of the again of the sales space can even be handled to a couple left-field choices from Citroën. However cling on, didn’t this quintessential French model promote its final automotive right here on the finish of 2020?
Sure, however haven’t you heard? Stellantis Malaysia is poised to convey Citroën again to our shores as a “mainstream” model (consider it as a rival to Toyota and Honda), and its presence here’s a take a look at issues to come back. To that finish, the corporate is showcasing two vehicles, specifically the C3 Aircross and Ami Buggy.
Citroën C3 Aircross
The C3 Aircross is a world away from the Euro-centric little tyke that was beforehand bought right here. It’s now grown right into a seven-seater SUV very a lot within the vein of the Perodua Aruz and the dearly-departed Honda BR-V. It’s constructed on the Good Automobile Platform and has been designed with the Southeast Asian market in thoughts, made in India.
Measuring 4,323 mm lengthy, 1,796 mm broad and 1,669 mm tall, the C3 Aircross is sort of a bit smaller than the Aruz (4,435 mm lengthy) and particularly the BR-V (the brand new second-generation mannequin is 4,490 mm lengthy), and it has the shortest wheelbase of all at 2,671 mm. It’s wider than all of them, nevertheless, which ought to unlock some shoulder room, particularly on the again.
Energy comes from the 1.2 litre PureTech turbocharged three-cylinder engine final seen within the Peugeot 208, producing 110 PS at 5,500 rpm and 205 Nm of torque at 1,750 rpm. Drive is distributed to the entrance wheels via a alternative of both six-speed guide or computerized gearboxes, the latter clearly being a shoo-in for our market.
The C3 Aircross’ distinctive design options cut up headlights with X-shaped daytime working lights, chunky wheel arch flares, scalloped fender surfacing, C-shaped taillights and thick body-coloured C-pillars cut up by a black band; this defines the border of the elective two-tone color scheme. In contrast to the recently-introduced European mannequin, this automotive nonetheless doesn’t get the brand new Citroën badge with the oval border.
The automotive you see right here is locked and closely tinted, so we will’t present you the inside. Nevertheless, you possibly can look forward to finding a seven-inch digital instrument show, a ten-inch infotainment touchscreen with wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and a cool interlocking design for the air vents.
Sadly, the C3 Aircross solely comes with two airbags and no driver help techniques in anyway (not even autonomous emergency braking). We are able to think about Stellantis must do some vital reengineering so as to add these much-requested options – together with six airbags on the minimal – for our market.
Citroën My Ami Buggy Idea
The opposite automotive being proven is an actual oddball. That is the Ami Buggy, an off-road model of the Ami electrical quadricycle. Particularly, it’s the My Ami Buggy idea proven in late 2021, coming with knobbly ATV-style tyres (wrapped over tiny ten-inch wheels), skid plates, wheel arch extensions and a bull bar on the entrance.
Different concept-specific touches embrace head- and taillight guards, a “visor” over the entrance windscreen, a roof rack with a entrance gentle bar and a spare wheel, and an entire lack of any doorways. Instead of the latter are tubular “protectors” that home deployable clear rain guards for inclement climate. No, this isn’t road-legal within the slightest. The automotive is completed in matte black with a retina-searing yellow inside.
All these cutesy seashore buggy design cues go on prime of an already cuddly package deal – the Ami is a tiny metropolis runabout that measures simply 2,400 mm lengthy, 1,390 mm broad and 1,520 mm tall, making it an absolute cinch to park. It’s barely longer and fairly a bit wider than the Renault Twizy that was as soon as bought right here. That “automotive” (in case you may name it that) sat two occupants in tandem; the Citroën can nearly match two folks side-by-side.
These two folks could have a tough time getting wherever rapidly, as a result of the Ami attracts simply 8 PS (6 kW, or half that of a Twizy) from its single motor, giving it a prime velocity of solely 45 km/h. A tiny 5.5 kWh battery supplies a spread of 70 km, with a full cost taking three hours from a 220-volt home socket.
In fact, the Ami isn’t an actual consideration for the Malaysian market, owing to its lack of energy, prime velocity, a right-hand-drive model (sure, even within the UK) and any security options in anyway (even the Twizy had a driver airbag for crying out loud). However are you excited to see the Citroën model again in Malaysia? Hold forth within the feedback after the bounce.
GALLERY: Citroën C3 Aircross at Malaysia Autoshow 2024
GALLERY: Citroën My Ami Buggy Idea at Malaysia Autoshow 2024
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