Citroén has decided to enter the already crowded market segment of mini MPVs with a version of the C3 reportedly as the C3 StreetLounge. Scheduled to be released in 2008 this new model will compete directly against the Renault Modus, Opel Meriva, Nissan Note and Ford’s yet to come Fiesta based B-Max.
Based on the same platform as Peugeot's 207, the C3 StreetLounge will get most of the engines that we can find under the little lion’s hood today. That means both petrol-engines as well as powerful HDI-engines. Buyers will also have the choice of three gearboxes, a standard manual, the clutchless Sensodrive as well as a fully automatic transmission.
The new car is going to be a real five-seater with a loading area that can be extended by sliding or folding the rear bench. Inside there will be centrally mounted dials as well as higher quality materials. Also, some features of the recently released C4 Picasso will find its way into the new mini-MPV.
Maybe we can expect a concept of this car at Frankfurt’s Car Show in September with the production model being debuted a year later at the Paris Car Show in Paris 2008.
Pictures are showing some prototypes during testing at a secret track in Europe, as well as a artist impression of how the car could look like.
