Citroen sub-four-metre SUV platform spotted testing in India
Citroen India seems to have begun testing its new product for India, even as its debut offering, the Citroen C5 Aircross SUV comes later this year. As the brand has mentioned as part of its overarching plan for India, the sub-four-metre SUV is one of two more cars after the C5 Aircross that it plans to sell here over the next few years. The eventual goal is a two per cent market share in India over the next four to five years.
The mule in the pictures is running a body-shell from the last-gen Peugouet 208 small-car but the raised ride height and wheel-arch gaps are quite evident. This sub-four-metre SUV will be the first of a range of vehicles that the brand is developing with a strong focus on India. They will be heavily localized, up to 98 per cent, and come with packaging specific to our market. The localized platform could be derived from that of the international market EMP1 platform that underpins the new 208.
We expect engine options to be derivatives what the brand sells globally and in line with what the norm in this segment is. It should include 1.2-litre petrol, a turbocharged version of the same motor and a 1.5-litre diesel engine. These engines will be locally manufactured as well. Citroen is also making a push towards electric mobility globally, so an electrified version can't be ruled out. As for how this car might look, we expect it to same cuboid-inspired styling as the C5 with similar split headlamps and grille treatment. The simplistic side profile and squared-off rear-end can also be expected.
The other car after this sub-four-metre SUV is expected to be a premium hatchback along the lines of the Hyundai i10 and Maruti Suzuki Baleno. Given the high-levels of localization we expect both these cars to be competitively priced with the SUV beginning around the Rs 7 to 7.5 lakh mark, ex-showroom.
Read our Citroen C5 Aircross review here.
Spy image source: Rushlane
Starts Rs 31.3 Lakhs
1997cc
Automatic
177
400
18.6 Kmpl
Starts Rs 6.35 Lakhs
1197cc
Manual
90
113
22.94 Kmpl
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