PSA Groupe entered the Indian market with its maiden offering – the Citroen C5 Aircross. Being the flagship model, the SUV has been priced at Rs 29.90 lakh (for the Feel variant) and Rs 31.90 lakh (for the Shine variant). All prices are ex-showroom. Currently, the model has been sold via Citroen’s La Maison showrooms across 10 select cities in the country. The carmaker says that its upcoming models will be “more affordably priced”, thanks to C-Cubed programme.
The first model to roll out under the brand’s C-Cubed strategy will be a compact SUV that will take on the Tata Nexon, Maruti Vitara Brezza and Hyundai Venue. The carmaker revealed that the vehicle designed and developed under its C-Cubed programme will have over 90% locally sourced components and export platforms from India. Similar to the C5 Aircross, the upcoming Citroen small SUV will be produced at the company’s Thiruvallur based facility in Tamil Nadu. The plant has an annual production capacity of 100,000 units.
The new Citroen compact SUV will underpin the brand’s CMP (Common Modular Platform) that’s used in global Peugeot, Opel, DS, Vauxhall and Citroen models. We have seen the multiple camouflaged prototypes and rendering of the small SUV. Though, a latest digital rendering previews a sportier version of the vehicle featuring bring Orange accents on the fog lamps assembly surrounding, spoked wheels and ORVMs.
The rendered model carries the signature hexagonal grille and LED headlamps connected via a thin chrome strip. The black cladding all-around body, black wheels and roof rails further enhance its sporty look.
It would be quite early to comment on its engine setup. Though, the new Citron small SUV is reported to come with the 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol engine with a Flexi-fuel system. If it happens, it will be the first Flex-fuel vehicle in the country. The SUV might be able to run on both petrol as well as ethanol blends. The powertrain will deliver power close to 118bhp and 150Nm of torque. Both manual and automatic gearboxes will be on offer.