Page 70 - Car South Africa (February 2020)

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orange inserts and contrast stitch- ment on the German crossover’s:
ing. Perceived interior build quali- the sliding rear bench offers
ty is impressive, with a swathe of knee clearance of between 583
soft-touch material covering the and 716 mm. That forward setting
horizontal dash and perforated liberates an additional 104 litres of
mesh-like fabric on the door han- boot space, too.
dles. Although there are myriad The C3 Aircross impressed the
hard plastics throughout the CAR team with its levels of prac-
cabin, they feel robust. ticality and comfort, and this ex-
The cockpit features a seven- tends to its driving manners. The
inch infotainment system with suspension is softly sprung and,
smartphone-mirroring function- even riding on optional 17-inch
01
ality, Bluetooth connectivity and wheels (16-inchers are standard

a USB port. The climate control tment), the ride is fuss-free. Body
can be set to a pleasingly low roll is present when cornering
temperature of 14 °C for when but that’s expected for a car of its

summer strikes, although the pro le. Road and wind noise are
touchscreen display used to well suppressed and the 1,2-litre
tweak the system can be slightly triple is vocal only when ooring

laggy. The multifunction tiller the accelerator.
02
offers rake and reach adjustment The PureTech turbopetrol
and the driver’s seat can be man- engine produces 81 kW and

ually netuned for height. 205 N.m torque, the latter from as 05
Measuring 4 154 mm long and low as 1 500 r/min, and it propels
1 756 mm wide, the Citroën is
more compact than the T-Cross.
01 Roof rails are striking in hue and design.
However, thanks to its clever 02 Black gloss trim accentuates 3D day-
design, it boasts additional time-running lights. 03 Orange highlights
found on optional 17-inch alloys. 04 Valua-
headroom all-round (921 mm up
bles can be stowed in compartment under
front and 861 mm aft), while rear boot board. 05 Quirky styling but omission
03 04
kneeroom is a slight improve- of Airbumps puzzling.

68 CAR FEBRUARY 2020 CARmag.co.za