Spied: 2009 Citroen C3 MPV

The new Citroen supermini-MPV is coming out of the shadows – and here are the pictures to prove it! The people carrier will join the C3 line-up early next year, giving the French firm a rival to the Nissan Note.

With Citroen now the biggest seller of MPVs in Europe, this new model is a vital part of the company’s plans – because as well as the Note, it will aim to steal sales from the Honda Jazz and Renault Modus, plus the next-generation Vauxhall Meriva.

The C3 MPV is targeting customers who want space and flexibility in a compact, eco-friendly package, but designers will also tempt them with style. As with the Meriva (pictured in Issue 1,014), the C3 MPV is certainly a smart-looking machine.

Taking cues from the C-SportLounge concept – unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2005 – the new baby people carrier is sleek, yet chunky.

At the front, the bold nose gets intricate headlamps, neat lower spotlights, large air intakes and a big grille, on which the famous double-chevron badge is mounted. Moving back, the curvy A-pillars are similar to those on the C4 Picasso, but are thinner and have more glass for better side vision.

Flared wheelarches and beefy side rubbing strips help add some muscle to the design, as do the squared-off tail and rails on the roof. We know from previous spy shots that the tailgate features bold, high-mounted lights and is split with a glass section that opens independently to improve access to the boot in tight spaces.

As the panoramic glass roof on the C4 Picasso has proved such a big hit, the company has included this on the C3 MPV as well – and it makes for a light and airy interior. Inside, expect the dashboard to draw much of its inspiration from the Picasso, with a central digital display and an uncluttered console.

Of course, practicality will be a stand-out feature. The newcomer is underpinned by architecture from the PSA Peugeot-Citroen PF1 platform, which forms the basis of the Peugeot 207 and next-generation C3 – due in around 2010. The MPV will measure four metres in length, making it compact enough for city driving, yet the high roof ensures there is sufficient space for five adults inside.

There will be a sliding rear bench that allows owners to maximise boot or passenger space as required, while a raft of storage boxes – some in the boot, others in the door pockets and roof – helps ensure the car is among the most flexible in its class.

On top of versatility, the C3 MPV promises to score in terms of luxury. Citroen has made big improvements with the material quality of its recent products, such as the C5 family car, and this will continue here.

Under the bonnet, the newcomer will share engines with other models from the PSA stable, such as the 207. Buyers will get the option of a petrol 1.6-litre, as well as 1.4 and 1.6-litre HDi diesels. These will be mated to conventional manual or SensoDrive semi-automatic boxes. The model will also feature stop-start technology, to boost economy and cut emissions.

A production-ready version of the C3 MPV will debut at the Paris Motor Show in October, with UK sales starting in early 2009. The range is set to be priced from around £9,500.