Groupe PSA had revealed back in 2016, it will make a comeback to the Indian market. Three years on the French carmaker’s plans are now bearing fruit – its plant in Hosur, Tamil Nadu has begun producing engines and transmissions for the brand, and its SUVs have been spied testing in the country. While the first model to be spotted in India recently was the DS7 Crossback SUV, the second model from the French car maker to be seen testing on Indian roads is the Citroen C5 Aircross SUV. But what does this sighting mean for our market?
Citroen C5 Aircross: Exterior
A good looking urban SUV, the C5 Aircross sports a split headlamp setup at the front, short overhangs at the front and rear, and typically chunky SUV-like styling. The high bonnet line and sweeping grille do lend it presence on the road. However the front-end may polarise potential customers.
Citroen C5 Aircross: Dimensions
Measuring 4,500mm in length, 1,840mm in width, 1,670mm in height and 2,730mm in wheelbase length, the Citroen in 25mm longer and 10mm taller than Hyundai Tucson, and has a wheelbase that is 60mm longer. It sits rather high up too, with a 230mm ground clearance. Based on the same Groupe PSA EMP2 platform that underpins the DS7 SUV, the C5 Aircross it is nearly as big overall as the larger SUV.
Citroen C5 Aircross: Interior
A funky, modern looking two-tone dashboard is the centre piece of the C5 Aircross’s cabin, replete with split air-con vents that look unique. There are plenty of features on offer too with the SUV including safety kit like multiple airbags, blind spot assist, smart headlamps with an auto high beam feature, attention assist, cross-traffic detection and hill-hold assist, among others. The interiors also feature an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, an automatic AC, steering-mounted buttons and a digital instrument binnacle.
Citroen C5 Aircross: Engine details
In international markets, Citroen offers the C5 Aircross with a petrol motor and two diesel engine options – a 130hp, 1.2-litre turbo-petrol, a 130hp, 1.5-litre turbo-diesel and a 180hp, 2.0-litre turbo-diesel. Transmission options include a 6-speed manual and an 8-speed torque convertor automatic. While none of the engines come with the option of all-wheel-drive, the C5 Aircross does have Grip Control, which is a feature that is similar to the terrain response mode found on the Tata Harrier, and hill-descent control.
An interesting point to note here is that the Greenfield facility in Hosur (owned by PSA AVTEC Powertrain, which is a 50:50 joint-venture between Groupe PSA and AVTEC) already produces the 1.2-litre petrol and the 2.0-litre diesel engines for export markets.
Citroen C5 Aircross: India launch
The fact that Groupe PSA’s cars will roll out of CK Birla’s Tiruvallur facility in Tamil Nadu and the C5 Aircross spied on our roads is registered in Tiruvallur means that there is potential for an India launch. However, the model could also just be a test-mule for a future vehicle that is headed to our shores or for the engines and transmissions that are made at the Hosur plant. Time will tell.
Also see:
Citroen C5 Aircross SUV spied in India
Citroen C5 Aircross image gallery
DS 7 Crossback SUV spied in India
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