Citroën presents European New C5 Aircross
This week, French carmaker Citroën showed its newest SUV to the world. The New C5 Aircross will be its flagship, and is the European version of the same SUV that was already introduced on the Chinese market last year. Another SUV, one could say, but who wouldn’t do so, knowing that the SUV-segment accounts for a quarter of all car sales worldwide and keeps on growing?
With a total length of 4,5 m this is one of the larger SUV’s in the middle class. The C5 Aircross is immediately recognisable as a new generation Citroën: in the front, in the back and also laterally, with brand-specific touches such as the Airbumps at the bottom of the doors, however much more discrete than on the first C4 Cactus model that introduced these lateral protections.
Since it is a Citroën, comfort was a key element in the list of desired characteristics. Following the brand’s Advanced Comfort-programme, the C5 Aircross promises a comfy ride through the use of two innovations: a suspension with Progressive Hydraulic Cushions and Advanced Comfort Seats.
Assitance and Connectivity
Citroën aims high in proposing 20 driver assistance systems (including a level-two autonomous driving system named Highway Driver Assist), 6 connectivity technologies (including wireless charging of smartphones), three individual sliding, folding and inclining rear seats and a big boot offering 580 to 720 l of volume under the luggage shelf of its new SUV.
The C5 Aircross will be highly customisable, with some 30 combinations for the outside thanks to seven body colours, a black two-tone roof offering and three Color Packs, and five interior ambiances.
The engines are well known. The offer consists of two PureTech petrol engines with 130 and 180 bhp and two BlueHDi diesels offering the same power output. Manual six speed or automatic eight speed-gearboxes accompany the engines.
The European C5 Aircross, that will be launched in Europe at the end of 2018, will be produced in Rennes (France), contrary to the Chinese version that is producedat the Dongfeng-PSA Chengdu plant. Furthermore, at the end of 2019, the New C5 Aircross will be the first Citroën to come in a plug-in hybrid version.
