The new Citroen C3 Aircross Rip Curl is today’s dubious special edition
The Renault Clio Billabong, the Peugeot 106 Quicksilver, the Citroen SpaceTourer Rip Curl – French carmakers are particularly good at the whole car/clothing brand tie-up, and now Citroen and Rip Curl are back with another attempt.
What you see in the slightly odd ‘lifestyle’ photos above is actually the second generation C3 Aircross Rip Curl, although we doubt many of you took notice of the first one. To make sure that doesn’t happen again, Citroen has employed a black contrast roof, 16-inch wheels and a smattering of what it calls Anodised Ochre paint (apparently inspired by sand dunes) on the headlight trims, wheel cap surrounds and door mirrors. Hmmm.
“The partnership between Citroen and Rip Curl is a natural fit,” reads the corresponding press release. “Both brands develop designer and high-tech products serving well-being, leisure and escape.”
Unfortunately, the Rip Curl C3 doesn’t get the surf-style features you might expect. There’s no neoprene seats or sand-specific off-road modifications, just all the optional extras you’d usually find on the top-spec Flair trim level.
It does get a six-speed manual gearbox though, and that’s mated to a 108bhp 1.2-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine. You also get special floor mats with the Rip Curl logo. Nice.
The price? £21,610 on the road - and they won’t even throw in a surfing lesson.
