Citroen is all set to start its Indian inning with its debut product, C5 Aircross mid-sized premium SUV. Though the maker hasn't shared any specific launch date, it is likely to hit the Indian roads in March 2021 at a starting price of around Rs 28-30 lakh (ex-showroom). The brand has also begun its production at CK Birla’s facility in Tiruvallur, Tamil Nadu.
Here are eight things you should know about the Citroen C5 Aircross SUV before it starts reaching the dealerships: –
Citroen C5 Aircross – What will it look like?
Based on the PSA group's global EMP2 platform, the C5 Aircross has a crossover-like silhouette with striking design touches such as a split front grille with sleek LED DRLs and dual-beam LED headlights, well-balanced curvatures, dual-tone alloy wheels, roof rails, and four rectangular 3D LED taillights.
Let's look at its dimensions: –
Length | 4500mm |
Width | 2099mm |
Height | 1710mm |
Wheelbase | 2730mm |
Ground Clearance | 230mm |
Boot space | 580L (all-seats up) 720L (rear seats in forwarding position) 1630L (rear seats folded) |
Min Turning Radius | 5.35m |
Feature-loaded offering with a premium cabin feel
The ambiance of the Citroën C5 Aircross SUV is aesthetically pleasing, flaunting an all-grey theme that compliments the cockpit styled cabin. An 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system takes the center stage. It comes surrounded by split air-con vents which blend well with the dashboard layout. The infotainment comes with the AC control functions along with the mirror screen, wireless apple carplay, and android auto smartphone compatibility.
The C5 also features a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster display for essential vehicle-related information, with 3 personalization modes (personal, dual, and minimum) and 3 ambiance choices of Brown, Blue, and Red.
With its debut, Citroen wants to create a significant impact on the Indian buyers, and hence, the SUV will come loaded up to the brim, offering various premium and active & passive safety features such as: –
- Park assist- After detecting a parking space, it automates the steering to park in. All you need to do is engage the gears and control the accelerator and brake. It helps to park the vehicle in a tight space.
- Coffee break alert- This system sends you a warning. It automatically activates once you’ve been driving for 2 hours continuously at more than 65 km/h.
- Blind-spot monitoring system- It alerts you if there is another vehicle in your blind spot.
- Fog lights with static cornering function- Providing an additional light beam on the inside of bends, making tricky turns and crossings safer and easier to navigate.
- Grip control – It's a traction control system that ensures optimum grip on all kinds of road surfaces. It comes with 5 modes: Standard (ESC), Snow, All-Terrain (Mud, Damp Grass, etc.), Sand, and Traction Control Off.
- Hill Descent Assist- It holds your vehicle at a low, controllable speed on steep slopes.
- Hill Start Assist – It prevents undesired movement when you release the brake pedal on slopes.
- Electric parking brakes- The parking brakes will be automatically applied when the engine is switched. One can also use it manually using the control paddle on the center console.
- 6-airbags
- Rear parking camera with 180-degree vision
The other notable features include an all-LED lighting system, auto headlamps, panoramic sunroof, dual-zone climate control with rear AC vents, 6 speakers, multifunction steering wheel, hands-free electric tailgate, double-laminated front windows, and acoustic windshield glass, keyless entry with engine start/stop button, powered passenger seat with lumbar support, manually adjustable front passenger seat, 3 independent full-size rear seats, cruise control with speed limiter and memory function, powered ORVMs with heated function, rain-sensing wipers, tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS), Illuminated glove box and front armrest cup holders, auto-dimming IRVM, multiple driving modes (Eco & Sport), modular rear seats, ISOFIX anchorages, etc.
Class-leading comfort & practicality
Citroën has paid special attention to the comfort level of the C5 Aircross. For starters, it gets the Citroen’s renowned 'Progressive Hydraulic Cushion' equipped suspension system which is designed to curb the suspension’s responses to big compressions so that the ride becomes smoother and relaxing. Citroen calls it the flying carpet ride effect. It also gets three individually rear seats of the same width with reclining, sliding (up to 150mm), and folding functions.
It’s also influential on the practicality quotient, with a 580-liter boot with all the seats up. Sliding & reclining the rear seats to their furthest forward position will extend the boot space to 720 liters and folding all three rear seats will result in whopping 1,630 liters of boot space.
Variants
The C5 Aircross will be offered in two variants: Feel & Shine.
Powertrain
Under the hood, the Citroën C5 Aircross SUV will comprise a 2.0-liter diesel engine that generates 177PS of grunt and 400Nm of peak torque. The frugal mill will come mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission that also gets a shift-by-wire system, which provides smoother shifting and aid fuel efficiency. It will also get an idle start/stop function.
Also Read: Citroen Cars Under C-Cubed Programme Won't Get Diesel Engine
Color Options
Citroen will offer the C5 Aircross SUV in four shades: Pearl White, Cumulus Grey, Tijuca Blue, and Perla Nera Black. The first three shades will also be available with the contrast black color roof option.
Warranty
The Citroen C5 Aircross will come with 3 years or 1,00,000 km (whichever is earlier) standard vehicle warranty along with roadside assistance.
Also Read: Citroen Sub-4m SUV To Feature A Floating Touchscreen Infotainment System
Competitors & Expected Pricing
The first Citroen SUV will come to our shore via the CKD route and hence, it is expected to be priced around Rs 30 lakh (ex-showroom). It will be retailed via the company’s La Maison dealerships. The brand has already opened its first-ever showroom in Ahmedabad, Gujrat. By the time of C5 Aircross's launch, Citroën projects to extend the La Maison Citroën dealership network to 9 more cities including Delhi, Gurugram, Hyderabad, Chennai, Cochin, Kolkata, Mumbai, Pune, and Bengaluru.
In the mid-size SUV segment, the Citroen C5 Aircross will be positioned against the likes of Jeep Compass, Hyundai Tucson, and the upcoming Volkswagen Tiguan.
