PSA Group held its first-ever press conference today in India, in Chennai, announcing the plans to make the market debut with the Citroen brand in 2020. As announced back in 2017, the cars will be manufactured at a JV plant in Tamil Nadu.
The first product from the brand will be the flagship C5 Aircross SUV that we saw last year. The vehicle will have a high percentage of localization for a competitive pricing, and is also expected to have some design modifications to differentiate from the Euro-spec model. In markets outside, the Aircross is equipped with automatic headlamps, 3D LED tail lamps, 19-inch Diamond-cut alloy wheels, panoramic glass roof,
12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, 8-inch capacitive touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, dual-zone climate control, and a big list of safety features.
Speaking of safety, the list includes airbags, ESC, Hill Start Assist, Advanced Active Safety Brake, Active Lane Departure Warning, Active Blind Spot Monitoring, and Active Cruise Control.
In the UK, the C5 Aircross is offered with a choice of two petrol and two diesel engines, with power outputs ranging from 130 hp to 181 hp in petrol and 130 hp to 177 hp in diesel. The base variant gets a 6-speed manual, while the rest of ’em are paired to an 8-speed automatic.
The SUV features suspension with Progressive Hydraulic Cushions developed by Citroen, which apparently delivers a flying carpet like feel. As the name suggests, there are hydraulic cushions for rebound and compression. When big bumps are encountered, the cushions keep suspension movement controlled and progressive. With minor road imperfections, they absorb it all, giving a relaxing flying carpet ride, apparently. More here.
The vehicle measures 4,500 mm in length, 1,859 mm in width (excluding mirrors) and 1,670 mm in height. Wheelbase measures 2,730 mm. The India-spec model is expected to have some slight dimensional changes to pit against the likes of Jeep Compass.
The C5 Aircross’ EMP2 platform also underpins the DS 7 Crossback which was also spotted in India not too long ago.
“Launching a brand in such a large market as India is a unique and enthralling experience. With its boldness and its capacity to be inspired by the ways of life of its customers, I am convinced that Citroën has all of the assets to attract the Indian customer base. We are giving ourselves the tools to do so, with the ambition of being ‘Indian in India’, on both the industrial front with the two local JVs, and on that of the new product offering which we are introducing in the country, building on the formulas that have brought us success in Europe,” said Linda Jackson, Citroën CEO (Left one in the featured photo).
Also Read: Citroen C5 Aircross plug-in hybrid almost ready
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