The French carmaker has recently launched its very first product in India in the form of C5 Aircross. It is a luxury 5-seater SUV that is expected to be priced around the Rs 28-30 lakh price range. It sure may seem expensive at first, but Citroen has made it very clear during the Auto Expo 2020 that they. will focus on establishing the brand in India with this product. They are not concentrating on volume with the C5 Aircross but will offer what the brand is known for, which is the unique design and comfort and convenience features. We have driven the C5 Aircross and let us tell you what we thought of the product in terms of design, interiors, features and of course, driving dynamics.
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Citroen C5 Aircross – Driving Impressions
Since, we already have a detailed review regarding the design, interiors and features of the C5 Aircross, let us dive straight into the driving aspects of the French product. The C5 Aircross is powered by a 2.0-litre diesel engine making 180PS and 400Nm and mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The power and torque figures are very strong for an SUV of this size and there will be no petrol version of the C5 Aircross. The SUV comes with multiple drive modes, Normal, Eco and Sport mode. These modes are distinguished by the responsiveness of the transmission. When you are in a hurry, you can make use of the Sport mode wherein the responses of the throttle pedal become very sensitive and sharp and you get the rush of power on tap. The Eco mode brings down the responsiveness to aid comfort and fuel economy. The C5 Aircross comes with a ton of comfort features including cushy seats and soft suspension for the absorption of shocks. Especially if you are chauffeur-driven and are seated at the back, Eco mode will make sure that you stay planted in your seat. The Normal mode is able to maintain a balance between sharp driving dynamics and good fuel economy.
Also read: Citroen Berlingo spotted testing in India – What could it mean?
Citroen C5 Aircross – Progressive Hydraulic Suspension
One thing that has been talked about a lot with the new C5 Aircross is its unique suspension setup for markets like India. We know that our roads can be daunting at times, especially if you turn away from the highways. Citroen prides itself a lot on the kind of suspension setup that they have introduced with the C5 Aircross. The difference is quite evident in terms of bump absorption, ride quality and handling. For a soft suspension setup, the C5 Aircross drives impressively well. The steering weighs up nicely when the driver reaches higher speeds and the handling is not affected by the soft suspension. At slow speeds, the steering is very light, helping you to maneuver the car better. The brake bite of the car is also impressive owing to all-four disc brakes. Even if you are at higher speeds, the brakes will bring you down to a standstill in no time. This inspires a lot of confidence while driving.
There are only two trims to choose from, Feel and Shine. Feel is the lower variant and Shine is the top-trim. However, the difference between the two variants is just 3 features. In the Shine variant, you get a Panoramic Sunroof, LED Headlamps and Hands-free tailgate operation by placing your foot under the rear bumper. The launch is slated for early March and also, Citroen is planning to bring a compact SUV soon after the C5 Aircross which will definitely be more focused on the volume.
