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CITROËN C5 AIRCROSS

Citroën is still celebrating its centenary year, yet in South Africa we have nearly missed out on these commemorations as the French brand only late last year decided to again return to the country. For the third time.

There is some wry irony in the subdued manner the Chevron Brand’s centenary was handled here, as Citroën was one of the first automakers to explore Africa early in the preceding century and is credited with the first north-south crossing of the continent.

Still, with true French irreverence, Citroën did try and offer some consolation – by unveiling its latest flagship model, the C5 Aircross, on our shores. Forming part of the brand’s international SUV offensive, the C5 Aircross, while late to market, is a breath of fresh French air in a segment typified by cookie-cutter designs.

DESIGN FLAIR

Designed by a team under the direction of Alexandre Malval, the new C5 Aircross, in pure Citroën fashion, rejects the orthodox aesthetics of mainstream SUVs. With its elevated bonnet line, sweeping grille and outlandish headlight treatment, it looks futuristic and stands apart on the road.

Even more praiseworthy is the fact that while it shares its EMP2 platform architecture with a multitude of PSA Group models (the Opel Grandland X, Peugeot 5008 and the DS Crossback) the C5 Aircross looks daringly different and exudes an aura of energetic assertiveness.

This is aided by graphic touches such as the colour-coded front air intakes, Airbump panels, large wheels and distinctive roof bars. The strong and daring design theme continues inside, featuring an uncluttered dashboard with a horizontal layout and rectangular air inlets, a raised centre console and a raised driving position.

The modularity of its five-seat cabin, with three individual sliding, folding and reclining rear seats, gives the C5 Aircross best-in-class boot space of 520 litres to 720 litres (1,630 litres with all seats folded down) and the trendy matching grey colours and materials in our Shine model exuded an aura of warmth and comfort.

ROAD COMFORT

Equipped with Citroën’s patented Advanced Comfort programme, with Progressive Hydraulic Cushions, the suspension uses hydraulic buffers to control rebound and compression and eliminate excessive bounce. Our Platinum Grey test unit glided along serenely on all types of road surfaces.

While it absorbed bumps and undulations in exemplary fashion, the ride wasn’t sporty, though, and at times bordered on being wallowy (reminding one of the ride qualities of the DS20 of yore), yet

body control in the corners were good and steering control positive and direct.

Powered by the PSA Group’s 1.6-litre THP engine delivering 121 kW and 240 Nm of torque low down in the rev range, the performance of the quite heavy Aircross was adequate – at least at sea level. However, upshifts of the 6-speed auto ‘box was somewhat leisurely (as also experienced in its 5008 cousin) and not as slick and smooth as we have encountered in some rival products.

The Shine model is available with a plethora of safety systems, including things like Coffee Break Alert, fog lights with static corner function, Active Safety Brake, Active Lane Departure Warning System, Driver Attention Assist, Active Blind Spot Monitoring and Hill Start Assist.

This high spec level, at a recommended retail price of R514,900 for the Shine model, including a 5-year/100 000 km Citroën Serenity warranty and service plan, represents a strong value proposition in a hugely competitive market segment.

LAST WORD

South Africa’s prodigal brand has returned (again) bearing an exalted gift in the form of the C5 Aircross. This model addresses the crucial SUV segment with all the eccentric identity of the Citroën brand but while different and daring in terms of design, comfort and perceived value the question remains: Will local consumers accept this offering or will negative brand perception relegate this great product to “also-run” status?