Latest news with #Citroën
The Independent
5 days ago
- Automotive
- The Independent
Exploring Citroën's Electric Future
Take a spin with the Citroën CEO in this week's episode of Drive Smart, as the french carmaker boss sits down with The Independent to chat about the brand's approach to electric vehicles, its daring design philosophy, and the significance of their latest model, the Citroën eC3. Electric vehicles editor Steve Fowler quizzes Thierry Koskas on the challenges and opportunities in the electric vehicle market and the potential revival of iconic models like the 2CV. Watch more from Drive Smart on Independent TV.
Telegraph
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Telegraph
Citroën ë-C3 review: The cheap electric car we've been waiting for
You have to feel for the Citroën ë-C3. There it was, set to grab a fat slice of the burgeoning market for small electric cars. Then along came the Renault 5 – almost identically priced, technically brilliant, as well as charmingly styled as a perfect retro homage to a car so quintessentially French it was a surprise not to find a boot-mounted onion holder on the options list. Where does that leave the ë-C3? Up a creek without a paddle, you might think. But there is still plenty to love about Citroën's small EV. For one thing, you might prefer the fact it looks forward, rather than back. It's chic and modern, rather than a retro pastiche, which might be more to your liking. For another, it's technically an SUV, its boxier profile making it more practical than the 5. And what with Citroën getting its mojo back recently, the ë-C3 should drive pretty well, too. So is this small, affordable EV worthy of consideration? Pros Comfortable ride Smart interior Low price Cons Not fast Boot could be bigger Shame about the Renault 5 Priced out Until recently, the ë-C3 had price on its side, too. At a shade over £21,000, it represented a saving of almost £2,000 over the entry-level 5. But more recently Citroën raised the price of the entry-level Plus model, narrowing the difference to £900. (The top-spec Max model tested here is a further £1,700.) That may still be enough to sway you, particularly given the ë-C3 will charge faster, zipping from 10 to 80 per cent in only 26 minutes, according to Citroën. However, the EVDatabase website, fast becoming the Bible for EV facts and figures, reckon it will take longer; in fact, at 32 minutes, it matches the 5's time exactly. The ë-C3's 44kWh of usable battery capacity will get it marginally further on a charge at 199 miles (to the 40kWh Renault's 192), but while the Renault has a heat pump as standard the Citroën doesn't. That said, the ë-C3's lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery technology performs marginally better in colder weather, which may help make up the difference. Either way, you can expect a range of about 150 miles in the real world, with the usual caveats relating to variations in temperature (significantly less range in the coldest weather). There are other rivals to the ë-C3, of course, though the price for entry tends to be higher. From China, GWM's Ora 03 Pure will do 193 miles (officially) and costs a fiver shy of £25,000. The BYD Dolphin is capable of 211 miles, but is just over £26,000. From Europe, the Mini Cooper Electric costs almost £27,000 yet only provides 185 miles of range. The £25,000-odd that Fiat charges for a 500e, meanwhile – which will only do 118 miles on a full charge – sounds by comparison like a rip-off. Almost perfect So the ë-C3 undercuts its supposedly more affordable Chinese competitors yet also looks a bargain next to its trendier rivals. Indeed, Renault 5 apart, the ë-C3 would have the playing field at this price point all to itself – and would look like tremendous value as a result. But there's a difference between 'good value' and 'cheap'. Early signs are promising. Climb aboard – the ë-C3's SUV profile means the seats are slightly higher off the ground than its conventional hatchback rivals', which makes access easier – and you're greeted with an unusual stacked dashboard, which incorporates full-width accent lighting, two enormous shelves and a central tablet-style touchscreen. The driver's main instrumentation takes the form of a simple black-and-white digital binnacle atop the dash that presents all the information you need crisply and clearly. There are physical buttons on the steering wheel and a proper climate control panel with some neat piano key toggles to adjust the temperature, so you don't have to use the touchscreen to do so.
Daily Mirror
12-07-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
120,000 cars recalled in major UK alert - your rights and how to get it fixed
This week it's been announced that thousands of Citroën vehicles are to be recalled due to a problem with a faulty airbag - consumer rights expert Martyn James explains what you need to know Every year, hundreds of products in the UK are recalled. In fact, in 2024, 424 items were recalled for various reasons – mostly safety related. Product recalls are expensive for businesses so as a consequence they are not entered in to lightly. However, various laws and regulations ensure that the products and services we purchase are safe to use – and anything that doesn't meet the appropriate standards must be recalled as soon as a problem becomes apparent. This week it's been announced that thousands of Citroën vehicles are to be recalled due to a problem with a faulty airbag. Owners have been told not to drive them while the recall is in place. Citroëns are very popular vehicles in the UK, which means many people are affected and don't know where to turn. So what's going on, what are your rights and what if it takes too long to correct the problem? Here's my guide. Get the best deals and tips from Mirror Money WHATSAPP GROUP: Get money news and top deals straight to your phone by joining our Money WhatsApp group here. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. What's happening with Citroën? Citroën has issued a 'stop drive' recall for C3 and DS3 vehicles due to concerns over a faulty airbag system that has the potential to cause serious harm – even fatalities. Reports from France have suggested that the fault with the airbag has led to upwards of 18 deaths alone. A 'stop drive' warning means exactly that. The company is stating it is not safe to drive your vehicle. This is notable as this kind of recall and warning is extremely rare. The affected vehicles are: Citroën C3 manufactured between 2009 and 2019 Citroën DS 3 manufactured between 2009 and 2016 DS Automobiles DS 3 manufactured between 2016 and 2019 The recall notice affects approximately 120,000 cars in the UK. But because it's some but not all Citroëns, it's not always easy to know if your car is affected. Citroën's parent company, Stellantis, has more information on its website, along with a checker. Just enter in you VIN (vehicle identification number) in to the search box and you will be able to confirm if your car is affected by the recall. However, the company should be contacting you directly, so make sure that you have your address updated on the DVLA website. You can also find out more on the Your vehicle will be repaired for free, as you would expect. But here's the kicker: you could be left without a vehicle for months due to the sheer volume of people affected. What's the problem with the airbag? The Takata Corporation was one of the world 's leading manufacturers of airbags. But back in 2013, it became apparent that defective airbags had led to a number of injuries and deaths. This first recall affected 3.6 million people worldwide. Yet problems continued to be reported. Ultimately, 67 million airbags have been recalled – with 42 million vehicles in the USA alone being affected, the largest vehicle recall in the history of the US. In 2017 the company went bankrupt, but countless vehicles still had the defective airbags installed. So what went so terribly wrong? It turns out that the airbag inflators could explode with so much force, they could send fragments of metal shrapnel into the vehicle. This is all down to the use of ammonium nitrate (yes, the fertilizer one) as a propellant, which can become unstable and degrade as time passes, especially in hot or humid conditions (where many of the French deaths occurred). The degraded propellant can cause the inflator to rupture, leading to serious injury or death. This is so serious, the 'stop drive' notice has to be issued by the company. What are my rights if I'm affected? I've heard from many readers who are concerned about the lack of information about what happens next. First things first: tempting as it may be to drive your car, don't. The risks posed by the faulty airbags are very real and you may be in danger if you do so. f an accident does occur – and you were aware of the recall – you could not only invalidate your insurance, you could also be breaking the law and end up with points or even a full driving ban. Having said that, your insurance company may be able to advise you about options and what you are covered for with your policy. They should also be able to let you know if they will cover the costs of a courtesy car while you wait for a repair. Speaking of courtesy cars, MoneySavingExpert reports that you can request a courtesy car from Stellantis by contacting its helpline on 0800 093 9393. Note that word 'request'. Because of the sheer volume of requests for replacements, you can expect quite a wait unless you have a severe need for a vehicle. Be prepared to explain your personal circumstances – particularly if you are reliant on your vehicle. The business has stated that it will prioritise repairs and courtesy cars based on need. So make it clear why you need your car and the impact on you because you can't drive your Citroën. There is the distinct possibility that the business may not give you a vehicle while you await a repair. While you can hire your own replacement and pursue the company for compensation after the repair, you'll still need to demonstrate that you chose a reasonable, comparable vehicle and that you have notified the company of what you are doing and that you'll be seeking compensation. This kind of reimbursement isn't guaranteed, but if you keep all of your paperwork then you'll be able to make a claim much more effectively. If the business doesn't play ball, you can threaten them with the small claims court. How do I find out about other product recalls? I wrote all about vehicle recalls in my Mirror column just last month. Here's a quick recap of how recalls work. If you want to find out what products have been recalled, start with the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) who have product recalls on their website. The Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) is the UK's national product regulator and is part of the Department for Business and Trade (DBT). The OPSS has guidance for consumers on its website and a list of the latest product recalls. The product recalls website gives advice on the three different types of product recall: For specific products that have been sold in the UK and may require you to act to receive a free replacement, repair or refund from the manufacturer or a retailer. Product safety reports – These are for specific products found in the UK where corrective measures other than a recall have either been ordered by an authority or are being undertaken by a business. Product safety alerts – These highlight product categories or sectors in the UK with risks of serious injury or fatality and where immediate steps are requested by OPSS from businesses, authorities and possibly consumers. However, this is where things get complicated. Because of the sheer range of products that are sold, from cars to cauliflower cheese, there are a range of other agencies, regulators and official organisations that set rules around product safety and recalls. As a consequence, you may find more information about specific recalls on the website of one of these organisations, like the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) for problems with motor vehicles. Martyn James is a leading consumer rights campaigner, TV and radio broadcaster and journalist
The Citizen
11-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Citroën C3 dons working gloves with incoming Hola panel van
Citroën's rival for the Nissan Magnite, Hyundai Grand i10 Cargo, Mahindra XUV 3X0 Xprez and Renault Triber Express will have a stipulated price of below R250 000. C3 Feel has been unveiled as Citroën's answer to the Nissan Magnite Move and Hyundai Grand i10 Cargo. Images: Charl Bosch Officially the entry-level brand within Stellantis South Africa's product portfolio, Citroën used its parent company's Media Connect event at Montecasino in Johannesburg on Wednesday (9 July) to unveil its imminent arrival in the ever-growing car-based commercial vehicle sector. What has changed? Still to be formally launched, but showcased as a type of preview, the Hola panel van utilises the base-spec C3 Plus as its base, with the rear seats removed and replaced by a rubberised flat loading surface. ALSO READ: Citroën C3's affordable price tag a sight for sore eyes Additionally, fitted with protection bars behind the sealed rear windows, the Hola features a honeycomb partition between the front seats and the loading area, as well as a fire extinguisher located underneath the passenger's seat. Same engine and spec Otherwise identical to the regular C3, the Hola has a claimed payload of 386 kg and will come fitted as standard with the same level specification as the Plus, namely the 10-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 15-inch steel wheels and the seven-inch digital instrument cluster. Interior and spec carries over from the entry-level C3 Feel Electric front windows, air conditioning, six airbags, central locking and ABS, as well as EBD, complete the list of features. A rubberised flat surface replaces the rear seats, with the claimed payload being 386 kg Up front, the normally aspirated 1.2-litre PureTech three-cylinder engine has been retained with outputs of 60kW/115Nm. As ever, drive is routed to the front wheels through a five-speed manual gearbox. Price Resplendent with the same 180 mm of ground clearance as the normal C3, the Hola will make its formal market arrival before year-end at an anticipated starting price of below R250 000. Compared to the regular C3 Feel, the Hola has obscured windows with protection bars inside. Set to rival the Nissan Magnite Move, Hyundai Grand i10 and Venue Cargo, Mahindra XUV 3X0 Xprez and Renault Kiger and Triber Express among others, the C3 Hola's sticker price will include a five-year/100 000 km warranty as standard, with a service plan being an optional extra. NOW READ: Citroën adds boost to C3 range with new flagship turbo automatic
Leader Live
09-07-2025
- Automotive
- Leader Live
Citroën's parent company issues statement on vehicle recalls
The vehicles affected are second-generation Citroën C3s produced from 2009 to 2016 and first-generation DS3s manufactured from 2016 to 2019. The French firm has issued a 'Stop-Drive' order after a recent report stated that a woman sustained fatal injuries caused by an airbag in a 2014 Citroën C3 in France last year. The vehicles use Takata airbag systems, which could be faulty. However, Stellantis UK said that there were no reported incidents of faults in the UK, but it has decided to take action regardless. Some motorists in North Wales who've received letters notifying them to stop driving their car say the earliest they can book theirs in for repair is September. After The Leader reported on a Flintshire woman who had received a letter, hundreds of people commented saying they've now been left "stranded" without the use of their car. One reader said: "I have been advised by my insurance company that I am not covered for driving, only fire and theft, whilst it's on my drive. No loan vehicle available and 90 minutes on Citroën helpline being told your call is important to us then line goes dead." Another said: "I've also had one too and the earliest I can get mine booked in is January 2026 - what an absolute joke." A further commentor said: "Had the letter a few days ago followed by an email from my insurance to say the car isn't covered to be driven on the road until the repair has been done! "Asked Citroën for a courtesy car and they told me the garage will supply, garage will only supply one for the day of the work and at a charge of £20." A spokesperson for Stellantis, Citroën's parent company, said: "The company's focus is on completing the replacement of airbags in affected vehicles as swiftly as possible. Working hand in hand with our Citroën Retailer Network, we are working to maximise the number of vehicles we can repair every day. "To increase our repair capacity further, work is ongoing to introduce additional airbag replacement sites at convenient locations as well as repair-at-home options. "It is inevitable, with such a large number of vehicles affected, that customers will be inconvenienced in the short term. However, we are deploying a variety of options to support mobility, recognising that every driver will have individual requirements, and that priority needs to be given to customers with the most urgent needs." MORE NEWS: Stellantis said customers should check if their vehicle is affected and what actions are advised by using the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) check tool on the Citroën UK website - If impacted, they should register their vehicle to enable the processing of their repair as soon as possible. Owners can contact the Recall Helpline on 0800 917 9285, Citroën Customer Care on 0800 093 9393 or via its website.
