Citroen has revealed images and details on a new mini-SUV concept which will feature at next month’s Geneva Motor Show. It’s called the C-Aircross Concept and it is based on the latest Citroen C3 supermini.
Citroen has used the word Aircross in other SUV concepts it has made in the past, but this latest one is one of their smaller examples, and it could hit production in the not-too-distant future.
Many of the styling cues are taking from the C3, which clearly takes some inspiration from the Citroen C4 Cactus. For instance, Airbumps feature on the doors for extra side protection. The LED running lights and double chevron grille are also carried over from the latest C3.
The more SUV-like design elements include the extra body cladding particularly around the front, the raised suspension and ride height plus the added scuff plates and roof bars. Other exterior design highlights of the C-Aircross Concept include a rear diffuser and the suicide doors, meaning the rear doors are hinged at the rear rather than the front.
Inside, the cabin of the Citroen C-Aircross has some intriguing features like the retro single-spoke steering wheel which is reminiscent of Citroens made decades ago. The interior also features a big 12-inch touchscreen and a switch to adjust the electronically stability program (ESP) to five different driving modes depending on the terrain.
These driving modes include ‘Standard’ for road use, ‘Off-Road’ for wet and muddy surfaces plus ‘Sand’ and ‘Snow’ settings for such specific terrains. There’s also an ESP Off setting, which deactivates the car’s anti-skid system at speeds of up to 31mph.
While Citroen has made chunkier, taller versions of previous C3 models, they have been MPV derivatives called the C3 Picasso. This new concept strongly indicates Citroen plan to move away from such cars in the future and take inspiration from the current crossover SUV trend instead.
A production version of the C-Aircross would rival the likes of the Nissan Juke, Vauxhall Mokka X, Renault Captur and Ford EcoSport.
