Let’s welcome an all-new player to India, the very French – Citroën. And, what you see here is the first model it will commence its innings with – the funky-looking Citroën C5 Aircross. We’ve known that fact for a while now. What we didn’t, however, were the details about the India-spec model. Now, we have those details.

Powertrain

To begin with, Citroën will offer the SUV with just one engine-transmission combination. That’ll comprise of a 2.0-litre diesel engine with 174bhp/400Nm, and 8-speed automatic transmission. At the moment, we don’t have acceleration and top speed figures. What we do know is that the powertrain is efficient enough to deliver 18.6kmpl.

Trim levels

Citroën has devised just two derivatives of the C5 Aircross – Feel and Shine – to keep the list of variants short. In Feel spec, the SUV will offer features like 18-inch alloy wheels, auto headlamps and wipers, dual-zone climate control, cruise control, six airbags, a rear-view camera, front and rear parking sensors and an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Get it in Shine form, and the list of creature comforts expands with stuff like a panoramic sunroof, LED headlamps and hands-free tailgate opening.

Some of the other features on offer include traction control, Hill-Descent Control, multiple drive modes, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, heated and electrically-operated ORVMs, electronic parking brake and a powered driver’s seat.

Dimensions

This is the driest part of the story. So, let’s keep it short. Underpinned by PSA Groupe’s, which has now merged with FCA to become Stellantis, EMP2 platform, the SUV measures 4,500mm in length, 2,099mm in width and 1,710mm in height. As for the wheelbase, that stretches 2,730mm end-to-end. Citroën India says that the luggage space is 580 litres, which can go up to 1,630 litres with the rear seats folded down.

Colours and warranty

Citroën will offer the C5 Aircross in seven paint schemes – Pearl White, Cumulus Grey, Tijuca Blue, Perla Nera Black and blacked-out roofs with the former three colours. As for the standard warranty, that’ll be 3 years/1,00,000km.

Dealerships, expected prices and rivals

The SUV will launch by the end of March 2021. By the time that happens, Citroën would have opened 10 dealerships across India. Considering that the C5 Aircross comes via the CKD route, it should start somewhere around Rs 30 lakh. Citroën will assemble them at its plant in Thiruvallur, Tamil Nadu.

Now, it won’t compete with the heavy-weights in that price range. Instead, it will rival the range-topping versions of the Jeep Compass and the Hyundai Tucson. Do you think it will find enough takers?

Note: All images shown are for representational purposes only.