Currently reading: Citroën C5 Aircross to be reinvented as flagship with 435-mile range

Next-generation version will top the Citroën range - while the C5 X will not be replaced

Citroën is gearing up to launch a new version of the C5 Aircross next year that will effectively become its flagship model and gain electric power for the first time.

The French firm has committed to focusing on main-segment models in the future. As a result, it will not replace the slow-selling C5 X, but that saloon’s more popular SUV sibling will survive into a new generation.

The C5 Aircross was launched in the UK in 2018 and is currently offered with petrol and hybrid powertrains. For its second generation, it will switch to the multi-powertrain STLA Medium platform shared with the Peugeot e-3008 and the Vauxhall Grandland.

Citroën boss Thierry Koskas confirmed the new platform will allow the C5 Aircross to be offered with an electric powertrain for the first time and he said this was something “we really want to offer”.

The platform is natively front-drive and the single-motor version of the e-3008 makes 207bhp, although a twin-motor 316bhp version is also offered. 

The platform can accommodate either a 73kWh or a 98kWh battery, the latter giving the Peugeot a range of 435 miles.

While the STLA Medium platform was developed with a focus on electric power, it still allows for hybrid cars.

Koskas confirmed the C5 Aircross will be offered with standard and plug-in hybrid powertrains – making it the only model in Citroën’s future line-up that will have a PHEV.

“Plug-in hybrid can be an answer to some of the requirements of the market [for that car],” said Koskas. “But it’s another cost because the battery is not small, so to put it in smaller cars doesn’t make sense.”

The new C5 Aircross is tipped to take styling cues from the recently launched C3, which introduced the brand’s new design language. That suggests a focus on a more boxy and expressive design, along with Citroën’s new logo.

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The second-generation model will be positioned above the heavily revised C4, which is set to be revealed in the coming months and will also take styling cues from the smaller C3.

Speaking about the decision to axe the C5 X, Koskas said: “It’s the flagship today, but it’s pretty marginal. Not because it’s not successful: its market share is pretty good, but the segment is absolutely tiny.”

James Attwood

James Attwood, digital editor
Title: Acting magazine editor

James is Autocar's acting magazine editor. Having served in that role since June 2023, he is in charge of the day-to-day running of the world's oldest car magazine, and regularly interviews some of the biggest names in the industry to secure news and features, such as his world exclusive look into production of Volkswagen currywurst. Really.

Before first joining Autocar in 2017, James spent more than a decade in motorsport journalist, working on Autosport, autosport.com, F1 Racing and Motorsport News, covering everything from club rallying to top-level international events. He also spent 18 months running Move Electric, Haymarket's e-mobility title, where he developed knowledge of the e-bike and e-scooter markets. 

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Mikey C 30 August 2024

I assume that image is just a photoshopped Vauxhall Frontera!

drugmirko 3 September 2024

No... I's just a photoshoped current C5 Aircross...

Cobnapint 29 August 2024
Now THAT looks weird.
xxxx 29 August 2024

Love the fighting talk at the end of the article about the C5 X diaster. "It's market share is good but the market is tiny" as if you didn't know the market was small'ish to begin with.

Plenty of low mileage 1.2 3 pots and mega depricating tax dodging PHEVs for sale of the spot i car.

Chris576 31 August 2024

It's also rubbish. They cynically made a car that's absolutely dogshit (as is the similar Peugeot 408) and then threw their hands up and said 'no one wants these' we must make more US boomer transport style trucks'. Slightly better than ford who don't make actual cars at all, I suppose, but these people don't really deserve to be in business.

People aren't buying cars. There's nothing to buy.

 

Rick Maverick 31 August 2024

Cynically, dogshit ....Apparantly it's a language deficiency and/or lack of knowledge that led to an illegible post. Let me explain, C76: Former PSA, successful with a dozen Cross Overs / SUV's decided to 'TEST the market" with something less ordinary. The mighty left field C5X was born, and 100.000 craving Chinese bought it. On C5X pinnings, Peugeot replicated the Citroen fastback design with the stunning looking 408. See? Nothing to get upset about!

drugmirko 3 September 2024

I guess you don't speak from first-hand experience, but out of your "omnipotent wisdom"... because I drove this, as you call it, dogshit of C5X and by my experience, it was one of the most comfortable, nice and relaxing cars I ever drove or been driven in. And I've been in and even owned a fair share of generalist and premium vehicles...