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By Jonathan Crouch

Citroen's fourth generation C3 supermini looks at its strongest in this frugal Hybrid guise. Jonathan Crouch reports.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 61

What's the ideal small car right here, right now? Probably not an EV - with cost and range issues. Its engine would need to be properly electrified and its buying proposition would have to represent really good value. You'd want cutting-edge design too. Might you want something like Citroen C3 Hybrid? We think this French contender's well worth a close look.

Backgroundword count: 93

Should you have decided upon a Citroen C3 supermini, you might find yourself undecided between the conventional petrol and full-EV versions. Well here's a suggestion; don't choose between them at all. Instead, you might be better served by variant we look at here, the C3 Hybrid. For customers convinced by the need for electrification but unconvinced by EVs, this model is potentially a great solution. It doesn't need plugging in and around town can drive for up to half the time without using its engine. Where's the catch? Let's take a closer look.

Engines and Tech Specword count: 220

The C3 Hybrid features a Hybrid 110 version of the electrified engine that these days seems to be fitted to almost everything the Stellantis Group makes. In case you're not familiar, we'll tell you that it's a 48V 1.2-litre petrol unit, essentially a mild hybrid but with full-Hybrid-like tech that allows it to run on battery power for up to half the time in urban travel. And use battery power for things like manoeuvring and reversing. The Hybrid system works via a 28bhp motor secreted in the e-DCS6 six-speed dual clutch auto transmission. During deceleration, the petrol engine stops and the e-motor acts as a generator to recharge the Hybrid system's 48V battery. The battery also stores the energy recuperated by the regenerative braking system. You won't much care about the 0-62mph time but for the record, it takes 9.8s (just under a second quicker than the Turbo 100 version) en route to the same modest maximum of 99mph. One of the things that used to mark the previous generation C3 out from its supermini contemporaries was its soft ride. That's carried forward here - and embellished with 'comfort suspension' that features the 'Advanced Comfort' hydraulic bump stops we've seen in slightly larger Citroen hatches. As with the old MK3 C3, don't expect too much in terms of driver involvement.

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