Citroen C5 News

Citroen has been in the Australian new car market for close to a century, however in recent years the flow of sales has slowed to a trickle. But the brand says it is here to stay.

Citroen confirms the C5 X crossover will join its range in 2022 as a crossover alternative to the Peugeot 508 liftback and wagon.

Is it a sedan, a hatchback, a wagon, a coupe or an SUV? Well, the first-generation Citroen C5 X might just check every single box, as this is a mid-sizer with a difference

Citroen Australia says the French brand will not be abandoning Australia despite declining sales and a shrinking model line-up.Speaking at the launch of the new C5 Aircross SUV, Citroen Australia communications boss Tyson Bowen told CarsGuide Australians need not be concerned that the manufacturer will give up selling its cars here.“Do people have to worry that we’re going anywhere? No – we’re building La Maison,” Bowen said.La Maison (or one’s home) refers to the local rebranding of dealerships with Citroen and Peugeot separated into two distinct areas within the one facility.The first Citroen La Maison has already opened at Peugeot Citroen Parramatta in Western Sydney.With the C4 Cactus, C4 Grand Picasso and Berlingo van no longer on sale in Australia only three models remain in the Citroen range – the C3 hatch, C3 Aircross and the new C5 Aircross.This smaller line-up is all part of the plan according to Citroen's general manager of marketing,  Kate Gillis and she assured Australians Citroen isn’t leaving.“We wouldn’t be here if that was the case,” she said referring to the C5 Aircross launch.“We need to be realistic about where we are and start to grow from there. It’s fraught with danger if we start to go too broad too quickly which would end up with a brand that’s not sustainable for the future,” she said."We need to start building that ground swell of customer interest that we currently don’t have but we have a whole heap of great familiarity with the brand, so we need to start to bring that back to life.”This year Citroen has sold 221 cars with the Berlingo and Cactus accounting for more the 50 per cent of those sales. Compared to 2018 year-to-date sales for Citroen in Australia are down by 7.1 per cent.

Ahead of a mid-2019 arrival, Citroen has released local pricing and specifications for its new C5 Aircross mid-size SUV. Priced from $39,990 plus on-road costs and offered in two local specifications - Pure and Shine - that will compete with cars such as the Volkswagen Tiguan, Mazda CX-5 and its platform sharing cousin, the Peugeot 3008. Just one engine will be offered locally, a 121kW/240Nm 1.6-litre turbo four that’s also offered in the 3008. An eight-speed automatic will be standard equipment on both models, and the C5 Aircross will be front-wheel drive only. Standard equipment highlights on the entry level Pure include AEB, blind-spot monitoring, wireless phone charging, a 12.1-inch digital driver’s display, automatic lights and wipers with LED daytime running lights, a 360º parking camera and the brand’s hydraulic cushion suspension, which promises the most comfortable ride in the mid-size SUV class. The upper spec Shine will offer a sunroof and other trim upgrades such as leather upholstery. Like the recently launched C3 Aircross, there will be no options available for the C5 Aircross aside from colour. The rear seat slides fore and aft to open up to 720-litres of bootspace, and split 40:20:40 for more practicality. The Shine is expected to be the biggest seller in the C5 Aircross range, with local Citroen execs suggesting that its superior value to the entry level model would win it more buyers. 2019 Citroen C5 Aircross pricing (plus on-road costs): 

The all-new Citroen C5 Aircross 2019 model will launch in Australia in the second half of next year, with the new mid-size SUV aiming to take a bite out of the market share currently consumed by the Mazda CX-5 and Volkswagen Tiguan.The Citroen C5 Aircross will be Citroen's first mid-size SUV to be sold in Australia, slotting in above the likes of the now-defunct C4 Aircross and C4 Cactus, and internationally the C5 Aircross will be positioned as the company's flagship model. Having made its international debut at the 2018 Paris Motor Show alongside a handful of other crossover models, there are some key inclusions to help the C5 Aircross stand out in the crowded SUV market.The new model will be the first Citroen sold in Australia with the French brand's innovative new comfort-focused suspension system dubbed Progressive Hydraulic Cushions. This system essentially places two hydraulic bump stops at either side of the spring and strut (replacing the regular mechanical bump stops found in most cars), and is said to help reduce or even eliminate bouncing over larger bumps, while delivering a "magic carpet" ride quality.There are some other elements to help distinguish the C5 Aircross from its rivals, despite boasting a fairly class-representative length of 4.50 metres. But with its rugged looks punctuated by dual-stack headlights, Citroen's intriguing shopping-trolley-proof Airbump system, a lofty ground clearance measurement of 230mm and high roof bars, it looks a lot more adventure-focused than many of its streamlined competitors. Inside there's a contemporary minimalist design, with a 12.3-inch TFT digital instrument cluster and an 8.0-inch touchscreen. Wireless phone charging and Citroen's ConnectedCAM dashcam system will be offered, too, and advanced safety tech is set to be included, too, with autonomous emergency braking (AEB) and blind-spot monitoring among 20 advanced systems offered on the new model.According to Citroen, the seats are specifically tailored for comfort "memory seats that adapt perfectly to the body shape of each passenger offer an innovative comfort experience in the automotive field", the company claims, stating that it has looked to the bedding industry for knowhow when making these new seats. At the rear, the C5 Aircross that will be sold in Australia will feature a clever rear seat setup consisting of three separate sliding/folding/reclining seats, each with ISOFIX child seat anchor points. The seats can be slid fore and aft, much like the Skoda Karoq and Volkswagen Tiguan, and that allows "best-in-class" boot space of between 580 litres and 720 litres. Drivetrain options for the C5 Aircross globally will include turbo-petrol and turbo-diesel engines, but it isn't clear whether Australia will get both petrol and diesel models - though petrol is the front runner, given the overwhelming preference for that fuel type locally. The model or models sold in Australia will come with an eight-speed automatic transmission, and will be front-wheel drive only - so much for those off-road presentation pretences.Full detailed specifications are still to be announced, but as the French brand celebrates 100 years of existence in 2019, it is expected the new model will live up to the company's standing as offering intriguing, likeable and comfortable cars."The all-new C5 Aircross is a return to Citroen's comfort credentials and, symbolically, arrives in time for the marque's 100th anniversary," said Citroen Australia managing director, Ben Farlow."The all-new C5 Aircross will underpin Citroen's line-up in its centenary year, bringing with it standout styling, unrivalled comfort and a new focus on SUVs for Citroen in Australia," Mr Farlow said. 

Citroen has revealed images of its new plug-in hybrid concept based on the C5 Aircross, which will make its public debut at the Paris motor show next month.

Peugeot and Citroen Australia (PCA) has introduced a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty with five-year roadside assist for all MY18 passenger vehicles.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has announced its latest round of national safety recalls, with models from Mercedes-Benz, Peugeot, Citroen, Ram and Aston Martin affected.