Citroën C3 imagined as a mini C4 Picasso in new renderings
Digital renderings preview a third-generation Citroën C3 with styling inspired by the larger C4 Picasso, as speculation grows about the model’s 2016 debut.
A set of digital renderings has surfaced showing how the upcoming third-generation Citroën C3 could look if it borrows heavily from the C4 Picasso’s design. The images, created by OmniAuto, anticipate a shift towards a more striking and contemporary appearance for Citroën’s subcompact hatch, which has been on sale in its current form since 2009.
The renderings suggest the next C3 will adopt the C4 Picasso’s distinctive three-level lighting signature and double-grille front end. This would mark a departure from the softer, rounded lines of the current C3, introducing a more assertive and gender-neutral look. Citroën has not confirmed any details, but the speculation points to a model aimed at attracting a wider audience, including buyers who might have previously overlooked the C3 for its feminine styling.
While the overall footprint of the new C3 is expected to stay close to the outgoing car, the renderings indicate a sportier stance and more dynamic proportions. The changes would align the C3 more closely with Citroën’s current design language, already seen on models like the C4 Picasso. The move comes as the supermini segment grows increasingly competitive, with rivals updating their models more frequently than in previous generations.
Styling cues and possible debut
The C4 Picasso influence is most obvious at the front, where the rendered C3 features a trio of slim LED daytime running lights above the main headlamps and a pronounced double grille. The rest of the bodywork hints at a more angular, less bulbous silhouette, with sharper creases and a more upright stance. These changes would mark a clear evolution from the outgoing C3, which has been on the market for six years.
Citroën has yet to announce when the third-generation C3 will be revealed. Rumours suggest a public debut could happen at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show if it does not appear at the Frankfurt show in September 2015. The new model is expected to go on sale globally during 2016.
The C3 has previously spawned several variants, including the C3-XR for China. If Citroën continues this approach, further bodystyles or crossover-inspired versions could follow, though no details have been confirmed.
For more on how renderings can preview a new model’s direction, see our coverage of the 2015 Audi A4 Avant Imagined in New Rendering.
