Citroën introduces C5 X SUV to Oz

WITH many car-makers jumping on the coupe-SUV bandwagon, Citroën has entered the fray with its own take on the genre… and the usual quirkiness expected of the French manufacturer.

The C5 X, priced from $57,670 plus on-road costs, is what Citroën calls a crossover with elements from a wagon, a coupe and an SUV though, with front wheel drive only and relatively limited ground clearance, it can hardly be included in the latter category.

Available now, C5 X ushers in the company’s new corporate logo and new frontal ‘mask’ that is both striking and attractive complete with full LED lighting, also at the rear.

It has a high riding stance thanks to big wheels and tyres but a low roof body and arcing profile with a steeply sloping windscreen and a fast back.

Make no mistake, C5 X is a good looker appearing powerful, muscular and athletic putting it well in front of other, more fancied European/German cars in the style stakes.

It’s a touch quirky as expected with some interesting design elements like the double decker rear spoilers.

Citroën Australia’s Managing Director, Kate Gillis sums it up thus: “C5 X embodies the best of Citroën displaying uniqueness and confidence with comfort as its cornerstone.”

“New C5 X, with its fresh and innovative styling, powerful and economical drive train, and strong standard equipment list, boasts impressive buyer appeal that will further expand the brand’s Australian growth opportunities.

“This latest addition to our Australian range not only bolsters our model line-up but also provides a unique and compelling product offering with the return to the touring segment – a car that connects to classic Citroëns such as the Traction Avant.

“It gives us the opportunity to engage with both new and existing Citroën audiences and is our new flagship joining the C3, C4 and C5 Aircross in our Australian line-up. We are offering C5 X initially in one high specification model with no options, only colours and with a petrol 1.6-litre turbo four-cylinder engine with an eight speed EAT automatic transmission.”

Additional models will be forthcoming next year including a PHEV version of this car as Citroën transitions to EV powertrains.

The launch model is ICE only with a 133kW/250Nm PureTech 180 petrol engine that’s found in numerous other Citroën vehicles that in this instance achieves a claimed 6.0 litres per 100km fuel economy generating 137g/km of CO2.

It’s ‘old school’ in the face of other offerings at the price point that are available with at least hybrid petrol/electric motivation.

As the only model at the moment, Aussie spec’ C5 X is well endowed in terms of features with goodies like Paloma leather upholstery, panoramic sunroof, 19-inch diamond cut alloys and a customisable 12-inch info’ screen included in the package.

Citroën says the car is designed for comfort, a point underlined but the C5 X’s acoustic system (including specially laminated glass) along with double acting ‘progressive hydraulic cushion’ dampers that function from the top and the bottom of the suspension system and specially designed ‘comfort seats’ with triple layer foam.

Worthy of note are a selection of simplified button controls that easily operate functions such as heating and ventilation, without the need to rifle through on-screen menus. 

Speaking at the media launch of C5 X last week, Citroën Australia Product manager, Daniel Khan said: “C5 X is a development of the C-Experience vehicle shown at Paris Motor Show in 2016.”

“It targets the large passenger segment with a combination of sedan, wagon and SUV.

“We surveyed Citroën customers and found they had a variety of needs that eventuated in this car being an evolution of those desires. This single high spec model meets a variety of applications catering to singles, coupes and families.

“It marks our comeback into the large passenger segment.”

C5 X sports a long wheelbase at 4800mm that affords generous interior passenger and luggage room with a large, hands free tailgate and aperture.

Customisation seems to have been the focus for C5 X designers as the vehicle can be set to an owners personal preferences at a number of levels including its dynamics, the infotainment system, HUD read out, some of the driver assist functions and phone connectivity to name a few.

The car can actually recognise the driver from their smart phone customising itself to that person’s preferences automatically on approach.

It is also qualifies as a level two (L2) autonomous drive vehicle… which means partial automation using advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) that are a key feature. These cars can brake automatically, accelerate, and take over steering.

However, these are not fully autonomous cars, as a driver continues to remain in control and must always pay attention to traffic.

In safety terms, C5 X is well endowed as it has two rear radars with a 70-metre range, top down 360-degree view, keyless proximity lock/unlock, autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist recognition, forward collision warning, driver attention assist, pedestrian safe bonnet, active lane keeping and positioning, speed limiter, adaptive cruise control and multiple airbags.

The C5 X is the first Citroën in Australia to offer connected services giving access to high end satnav, fuel outlets, live car park availability traffic conditions, journey routing, map searching and other handy stuff.

Luxury is well catered right down to selectable ambient lighting and soft feel touchpoints through the interior which, as expected, breaks new ground in style and functionality.

The sweeping multi-level dash is screen driven with minimal buttons/knobs and is dominated by the centre screen and driver’s info pod with an unusual fascia material underneath.

Citroën Australia said it wants C5 X to drive the company’s sales here which may prove problematic given the handful of mostly metro-based dealers across the country.

Year to date sales are miniscule running at 204 units as at the end of September… or about the same as a medium size dealership of most other brands.

However, Citroën has a decent size carpark with loyal owners which they hope to tap into with a scheduled new range of vehicles including the C5 X and electrified light commercials.