Groupe PSA the parent company of the French car manufacturer Citroën, recently announced that the brand will be postponing the launch date of its flagship vehicle in India, the Citroën C5 Aircross to the first quarter of 2021, in view of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Today, the brand on the social media platform Twitter, replying to a query, revealed its launch plans for India under the ‘C-Cubed’ program, confirming that the brand will launch a total of four new vehicles starting with the Citroën C5 Aircross planned for Q1 of 2021 and then one new model every year from 2021 to 2023. Citroën has also confirmed that the cars will be made and launched in India before being exported to other countries.
The Citroën C5 Aircross features a chrome-accented double chevron grille, LED daytime running lights, sleek dual projector headlamp units, wide air dam, Airbump on the front bumper & sides, large alloy wheels, C-shaped chrome embellishment on the C-pillar, roof rails and four LED squircle modules on the tail lamp.
The Citroën C5 Aircross is expected to be powered by a 1.5-litre turbo diesel engine that produces 130 hp of power coupled to an 8-speed automatic gearbox but latest reports suggest that the brand is likely to bring the model with a larger 2.0-litre 180 hp diesel motor matched to the same 8-speed automatic unit.
Unconfirmed reports have also suggested that Citroën is evaluating a sub-4-metre car that is likely to come to India based on the CMP (common modular platform) called C3 Sporty. The compact SUV could be positioned as the entry-level Citroën and the French brand is also rumoured to bring the C4 Cactus, positioned between the C3 Sporty and the flagship C5 Aircross.
The C3 Sporty could be powered by a 1.2-litre Puretech turbo-petrol engine that produces 116 Hp of power paired to a 6-speed automatic transmission. Citroën could also bring the C3 Sporty with an electric powertrain that produces 136 Hp of power and 260 Nm of torque coupled to a 37 kWh battery pack providing a range of 230 km on a single charge and an optional 50 kWh high capacity battery pack good for 330 km of range on a single charge.
Citroën also plans to sell its cars through the ‘La Maison Citroën’ concept showrooms which include space for two cars on display, an attached coffee shop, a discussion area and a virtual interactive system which will enable the buyer to configure the car at home and finalise the sale at the showroom.