Citroen C5 Aircross Becomes Runway Friction Testing Vehicle at Bengaluru International Airport

The French carmaker offers SUVs in India across different market segments to cater to a large audience

The Citroen C5 Aircross is now being used as a runway friction testing vehicle at the Bengaluru Kempegowda International Airport. Citroen has not been having the greatest of times on the sales charts despite possessing an all-SUV portfolio. The French car marque has been trying to leverage the popularity of SUVs in various categories in India. This includes compact SUV, mid-size SUV, micro SUV, etc. These segments have attracted tons of new buyers, including those who were on a limited budget. However, the Citroen models have so far been outclassed by the rivals in terms of sales. For now, let me take you through the details of this rather special Citroen C5 Aircrews.

Citroen C5 Aircross Runway Friction Testing Vehicle

I came across this exciting case courtesy of a video by Bangalore International Airport Ltd. The video showcases how the entire testing was conducted. For safety purposes, the runway quality and friction levels play a crucial role. These ensure that the tyres of the aeroplanes have enough traction and grip during landing. We know that if the brakes are not applied in time and the planes don’t stop within the runway premises, tragedies can occur.

To simulate wet weather conditions, there is a water tank installed inside the SUV. It is constantly spraying water onto the runway. The vehicle helps to monitor and report runway surface conditions, ensuring safe landings of aircraft with optimal traction, regardless of the weather. In fact, there is also an additional tyre at the rear aimed to replicate that of the aircraft to provide as real a simulation as possible. This initiative is critical to make sure that no undesirable situations occur during the real flight landings.

Citroen C5 Aircross

The Citroen C5 Aircross is the flagship offering from the French automaker in India. In fact, it was the first model to mark the entry of Citroen in India back in 2021. The aim was to establish the brand identity. It draws power from a potent 2.0-litre diesel engine, which generates a healthy 180 PS and 400 Nm of maximum power and torque, respectively. Performing the transmission duties is an 8-speed automatic gearbox. The shift-by-wire system ensures smooth gearshifts for plush ride quality. At present, it is available in a sole feature-laden trim which costs Rs 39.99 lakh, ex-showroom.

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Also Read: Citroen C5 Aircross’ Head-on Crash With Skoda Octavia Shows Its Tank-Like Built