The Citroen C3 Gets A Much Bigger Heart In Argentina

• Citroen C3 gets a larger 1.6-litre unit as its top engine option in Argentina.
• It makes slightly more power than the turbo-petrol engine, but less torque.
• The 1.6-litre unit gets a 6-speed automatic, an option lacking in the Indian model.
• In India, Citroen is developing the electric version of C3 to rival the Tiago EV.

Specifications of the Argentina-spec Citroen C3, the French carmaker’s entry-level model, have been revealed on its official website. And while the base naturally aspirated engine is similar to the one sold here, the top-spec engine option is a much larger unit. Plus, the hatchback gets the choice of an auto ‘box, an option that isn’t yet available in India. 

The Citroen C3’s top-spec engine in Argentina is a 1.6-litre naturally aspirated petrol unit developing 115PS and 150Nm. While outright power is 5PS more than the 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine, the larger motor develops 40Nm less torque. Also, the 1.6-litre unit gets a 5-speed manual instead of the 6-speed unit of the India-spec car. However, the Argentina-spec model gets a 6-speed automatic, an option that’s missing in the India-spec car. 

The base engine, though, is the same one on offer here: a 82PS 1.2-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine, paired with a 5-speed MT. 

In terms of features, the Argentina-spec model gets a very similar list, that includes a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, manual air conditioning, and power windows. It also gets a couple of extras such as a rear parking camera, a rear wiper and washer, and alloy wheels (sold as accessories in India). 

In India, the Citroen C3 is priced from Rs 5.88 lakh onwards (ex-showroom), putting it in contention with models such as the Tata Punch, Nissan Magnite, Maruti Suzuki Baleno, and Toyota Glanza. Moreover, Citroen is developing an all-electric C3 that will go up against the Tata Tiago EV.