French carmaker Citroën forayed into the Indian market with the launch of the new C5 Aircross SUV in April this year. However, the ongoing pandemic which created havoc with the deadly fangs of its second wave had kept us at bay for quite a while. So finally, when we received a call from the auto manufacturer to spend a day with the C5 Aircross, we jumped at the opportunity at once.
A clear blue sky on a Sunday morning was reason enough for us to set sail for a drive around the City of Joy – Kolkata. A short drive from La Maison Citroën on Park Street brought us to our first stop of the day – the Calcutta High Court. The Neo-Gothic structure of the Calcutta High Court made for a perfect backdrop for the C5 Aircross to strike a pose. With a muscular profile and plenty of swag, the New Citroën C5 Aircross SUV looks bold, and yet elegantly contemporary in every detail.
A short hop from the Calcutta High Court is the Comptroller and Auditor General’s Building where the Citroën C5 Aircross took a quick breather in front of the beautiful edifice.
At the front of the C5 Aircross, there’s the unmistakable double chevron design and the powerful curved side panels which lends it an imposing presence, turning heads wherever it goes. The 360 degree glazed surfaces are highlighted by chromed ‘C’ motif. The rear lights feature four rectangular 3D LED modules, which emphasize the vehicle’s broad stance.
With four body colours and three bi- tone roof options, the new Citroën C5 Aircross SUV offers a myriad of options to match individual choice. The stylish alloy wheels add to the design. The three Bi-tone options are available on both Feel and Shine variants.
Time stands still as the past and future of mobility cross path on the thoroughfare of Kolkata.
The New Citroën C5 Aircross SUV is powered by a 2.0-litre diesel engine mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox which provides smooth shifts between gears, making it a real pleasure to drive. You can also change gears manually if you want to, using the steering wheel mounted paddles, shifting seamlessly between automatic and manual modes. The diesel pot displaces 1997 cc producing 177 PS of maximum power at 3750 rpm and 400 Nm of peak torque at 2000 rpm. The engine is responsive to throttle input delivering linear power across rev range. You can also choose from multiple drive modes to suit your driving preference and mood.
An SUV needs to take varied and difficult surfaces in its stride. The new Citroën C5 Aircross SUV does precisely that with Grip Control, which provides secure traction in all conditions. This ingenious system has five modes – Standard (ESC), Snow, All -Terrain (Mud, Damp Grass, etc.), Sand and Traction Control Off – that you can select instantly using a dial on the centre console.
For safety and control while travelling downhill there is the Hill Descent Assist feature, which minimises the risk of skidding or unwanted acceleration as you descend. It works both, in forward and reverse gears as well as in neutral.
The Citroën C5 Aircross SUV feels effortlessly at home in urban settings just as much it does in the rural surroundings.
Step inside the Citroën C5 Aircross SUV and you would be welcomed with a perfect blend of refined comfort and space. Settle in and you’ll quickly appreciate the high driving position, and great visibility. The horizontal lines of the dashboard subtly incorporate a range of useful technologies, such as the 8-inch touchscreen and 12.3-inch digital cluster. Carefully selected colours and tactile materials such as Grey Grained leather and Graphite cloth add a touch of class. Gloss black details and chrome inserts emphasize the attention to detail.
Taking inspiration from contemporary furniture, the seats in the New Citroën C5 Aircross SUV provide lounge-like comfort on the move. With broad cushions and seat backs, they combine high density foam at the heart of each seat and a thick, textured foam at the surface. Perfect support and softness is assured, whether it’s the shortest of trips or the longest of journeys.
With three independent adjustable rear seats of the same width, the New Citroën C5 Aircross SUV provides the same level of comfort and space, wherever you are sitting without being biased. With multiple reclining positions and the ability to slide up to 150 mm, they are comfortably accommodating. The modular and flexible design offers fold-away rear seats that provide a perfectly flat floor for generous luggage-carrying capacity.
The New Citroën C5 Aircross SUV has a roomy 580L boot. Move the rear seats to their furthest forward position and you’ve got up to 720L , giving you the most generous boot in its class. With the modular rear seats folded away, there’s an amazing 1630L of boot space available.
Part of being truly comfortable when you’re travelling is having a perfect place for everything you need. The New Citroën C5 Aircross SUV has plenty of useful storage solutions. The large compartment under the central armrest has a section that can carry a 1.5L bottle, whilst the glove box and door pockets are roomy too. You’ll also appreciate the large storage area at the front of the centre console.
The Panoramic Glass Sunroof makes every journey special. Filling the interior with natural light, it really enhances the views enjoyed from the new Citroën C5 Aircross SUV. Powered by dual electric motors with an inbuilt auto-reverse safety function, it’s easy to use and also features a blind for adjusting brightness. The Panoramic Glass Sunroof comes as standard on the Shine variant.
From the very inception of their product campaign, Citroën has been aggressively highlighting the “flying carpet ride” quality offered by the C5 Aircross and we found out that its not without reason. Indeed the suspension set up of the Citroën C5 Aircross deserves accolades and well suited to tackle imperfections of the Indian roads which resulted in an impressive ride experience. When big bumps are encountered, the hydraulic cushions keep suspension movement controlled and progressive which effortlessly absorbs road imperfections so that you can enjoy a relaxing drive.
The C5 Aircross handles well and stays tightly gripped to the ground even at high speeds. Despite its tall boy design, there is negligible body roll even while cutting sharp corners. The steering feedback is good and the braking ability is confidence inspiring.
There is little doubt that the New Citroën C5 Aircross SUV is a well engineered and brilliantly packaged product. The C5 Aircross has a bold & imposing exterior design , spacious & classy interior, robust build quality, easy access and connectivity to your personal devices, boasts of a good driveability, impressive ride quality and safety features – it has everything that a modern day customer is looking for. The pricing certainly could have been more agressive, but then we shall park that debate for another day.
As the setting sun bid adieu for the day, we stood by the water body inside the picturesque Eco-Park with the C5 Aircross reflecting on the wonderful day spent behind its wheel.
Power Drive 