Citroen sharply prices volume-building C5 Aircross
BY JUSTIN HILLIARD | 18th Apr 2019
CITROEN Australia has confirmed that the critical C5 Aircross mid-size SUV will launch with two highly specified grades in the third quarter as the model that will likely underpin the French brand’s sales resurgence.
Priced from $39,990 plus on-road costs, the mid-range Feel will kick off the C5 Aircross line-up, while the flagship Shine will command a $4000 premium, positioning the new model right in the middle of the range of its key rivals, the Mazda CX-5 and Hyundai Tucson.
Speaking to journalists this week at the C3 Aircross small SUV national media launch, Peugeot Citroen Australia (PCA) product planning manager Justin Narayan said “the insatiable appetite for SUVs” Down Under influenced the company’s decision to offer the C5 Aircross with two grades – a departure from its recent single-grade strategy.
“In line with our overall product strategy, our aim is to minimise complexities and maximise specification,” he said. “Ultimately, this will make it easier to choose, drive and own a Citroen.”
Mr Narayan said PCA believes that the C5 Aircross’ sharp pricing will enable it to become the Citroen brand’s best-selling model in Australia, taking over from the discontinued Berlingo small van.
“We have specified this vehicle to deliver what our customers want and deliver others a compelling reason to choose a Citroen,” he said. “The product is competitively priced.”
PCA managing director Ben Farlow said Citroen now primarily operates within the small- and mid-size-SUV segments, of which buyers overwhelmingly gravitate towards Japanese and Korean models, but this presents an opportunity for the rebuilding brand.
“I think C5 Aircross will disrupt the category as a lot of mid-size SUVs start to look a bit familiar,” he said.
While PCA is yet to fully detail the C5 Aircross’ specification, it has confirmed that both of its grades will be motivated by a 1.6-litre PureTech turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine that produces 121kW of power and 240Nm of torque.
This unit will be paired to an Aisin-sourced eight-speed torque-converter automatic transmission that exclusively sends drive to the front wheels. An all-wheel-drive option is not planned for Australia.
Available equipment will include Progressive Hydraulic Cushions dampers, an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, DAB+ digital radio, wireless smartphone charging, comfort seats and acoustic glass.
Advanced driver-assist systems will extend to autonomous emergency braking, active blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control with stop and go functionality, and surround-view cameras.
The only option will be metallic paintwork, of which there will be five hues, with each matched to a contrasting colour pack that highlights certain exterior trims.
Cargo capacity with the 40/20/40 split-folding rear bench upright is 580L, but it can expand to 720L when the second row is slid to its most forward position.
Riding on PSA Group’s ubiquitous EMP2 platform, the C5 Aircross is closely related to the 3008 mid-size SUV, which quickly became Peugeot’s volume-seller upon its launch in August 2017.
2019 Citroen C5 Aircross pricing*
| Feel (a) | $39,990 |
| Shine (a) | $43,990 |
*Excludes on-road costs
