Citroen to Launch Hyundai Venue Rival Next Year

PSA Group will officially make its first footstep into the Indian auto market with the Citroen C5 Aircross which is set to come to us in the first quarter of next year. Following the launch of the C5 Aircross, the company will introduce its first made-in-India sub-four-metre SUV that rivals the Maruti Vitara Brezza, Hyundai Venue and Kia Sonet.

Citroen has already begun road-testing its first locally-developed SUV, codenamed the Citroen C21 in India. The new compact SUV by Citroen will be based on the firm’s CMP platform (Common Modular Platform), which is specially designed for the developing markets. This CMP platform is currently underpinning some global-spec products from PSA Group including the hugely popular Peugeot 208.

The new C21 compact SUV will get Citroen’s family design cues that are seen on some other bigger and pricier models. We expect the all-new Citroen C21 to get the signature front grille with two-tier headlamps setup, contrast black cladding and chunky alloy wheels on the sides.

On the mechanical front, the Citroen C21 will make use of a 1.2-litre turbo-petrol engine that will be the sole engine expected under its hood. Sources reveal that the Citroen C21 will be developed at the CK Birla facility in Thiruvallur, Tamil Nadu.

Before the Citroen C21, we are set to see the Citroen C5 Aircross as the brand’s maiden product in India. The Citroen C5 Aircross is a mid-size SUV that measures 4,500 mm in length, 1,840 mm in width, 1,670 mm in height along with a wheelbase of 2,730 mm. The Citroen C5 Aircross will be a premium SUV that offers a range of high-end features like an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a panoramic sunroof, dual-zone climate control, a 360-degree camera along with multiple driver assistance and connectivity features. The C5 Aircorss will be powered by a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder engine option.