Team-BHP - Citroen C5 Aircross to be launched in India in 2021

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Originally Posted by GTO (Post 4569699)

But just wondering about their strategy and how exactly they intend to differentiate or roll out a compelling option. The market today is more brutal than it's ever been before. Even brands who have been around for 10 years (VW, Nissan etc.) are finding things difficult.

Citroen will need to launch a fully loaded diesel automatic on launch itself. They should also focus on after sales, after all they plan to make India their global manufacturing hub. Only wish the car design were less quirky, some design elements are wierd and not classy like the red outline on the side cladding.

Personally I like the newer Peugeot designs, they are classy and elegant.

It was good to know that Citroen finally decided to take the plunge and launch their cars in India - the 5th (or is it the 4th) largest car market currently.

The worst that could be said about the Citroen, as a journalist put it at the time, was that "Citroen loves complexity for its own sake" - this was in the 60's/70's when Citroen had launched the hydro-pneumatic suspension in their line-up. By all accounts the system's complexity left all others in the dust! The saving grace of course was that it was quite reliable too. The DS Pallas 19 was an astounding example with this system and it drew rave reviews for its ride & handling.

For followers of the WRC scene it is also cause for satisfaction since Citroen has been highly successful on the global rallying circuit, right up to the present.

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Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR (Post 4571253)

Somehow reminds me of a Duster, in the black shade! :D

You almost read my mind. If it wasn't for the split lights at the front, it would have resembled Duster more closely. Like the car in general and power figures are good too. Citroen have been blazing trails in WRC (some courtesy to Sebestian Loeb as well), so perhaps some of those winning traits make way into the C5 and future models. :D

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Originally Posted by shashanka (Post 4571649)

For followers of the WRC scene it is also cause for satisfaction since Citroen has been highly successful on the global rallying circuit, right up to the present.

I had the exact same thought the moment I heard Citroen was coming to India.

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Originally Posted by ashutoshb (Post 4571928)

Not going to be the cheapest in the segment.

And a CKD.

Not sure if the market needs such a car at all, in this segment now filled with Jeep Compass, Tata Harrier, upcoming XUV 5OO, upcoming MG Hector etc - all built here, not assembled.

Will the C5 Aircross be a success in India? I am personally not so sure. Firstly, it is an unknown brand, and unless the brand building exercise is spot on, people will just pass it by. Secondly, dealers need to give the public a superlative showroom experience, and for at least a couple of years, an equally superlative service experience too. I am not sure if PSA can manage its dealer network as well as a Maruti/Hyundai/Toyota.

As far as the product itself is concerned, it is sufficiently "different" from the likes of the Compass/Harrier/Tucson to get the public to sit up and take notice. Will it deliver? After reading some reviews online, I am still undecided. Which probably means that it might sell in decent numbers without unduly worrying the segment leaders. Some reviews from UK are below:

Top Gear gives it 8/10, concluding that

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New C5 Aircross won't scratch your drivers' itch, but it's a part-of-the-family kind of car, at ease with itself.

Full review: https://www.topgear.com/car-reviews/citroen/c5-aircross

Carwow review video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4ZjKECqZIU

Autocar UK gives it 3.5/5, while saying

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Good: Funky interior design; Solid interior material choices; Underlying ride compliance
Bad: Ergonomic foibles; Snatchiness at the end of the brakes’ travel; Not as relaxing to drive as Citroën would like us to think

Full Review: https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review...en/c5-aircross

The interior is well put together along with good ergonomics. Not sure if all the features will make way to Indian shores but I personally get very positive feeling from the car / Pseudo SUV.

I will be in the market for my next car in 2021 and if it is priced aggressively, it is surely going to be in my primary list.

Citroen's Inspired By India contest

Citroen India has launched a contest called 'Inspired By India', as part of its marketing campaign. To be eligible for the contest, participants will have to find interpretations of Citroen's double chevron logo in their surroundings and share it.

Citroen C5 Aircross to be launched in India in 2021-citroencontest1.jpg

The contest started on July 15, 2019 and the winners will be announced on August 5, 2019.

The Citroen C5 Aircross was unveiled in India in April 2019. The SUV is expected to be launched in the Indian market before the end of 2020. It will be built at the Tiruvallur plant, which is a joint venture between the PSA Group and the CK Birla Group.

Citroen C5 Aircross to be launched in India in 2021-citroencontest2.jpg

The French automaker has also said that it plans to launch a new model every year from 2021.

Link to Team-BHP News

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Originally Posted by TusharK (Post 4623685)

How to participate in the contest?