Citroen has teamed up with Mitsubishi again for its new compact SUV. The new Citroen C4 Aircross is based on Mitsu’s ASX crossover and goes on UK sale in the second half of 2012.
Citroen and Mitsubishi has form here; they collaborated on the C-Crosser (based on the Outlander) and the C-Zero electric car.
Citroen C4 Aircross: the first official pictures
The new Aircross is more of a thorough reskin than the C-Crosser, which betrays its Mitsu roots rather more obviously.
All the usual Citroen design flourishes are present and correct, from horizontal chevrons on the nose to a reverse shark’s fin – a la DS3 and Hypnos concept cars – on the D-pillar and those distinctive high-rise LED day-running lights.
The C4 Aircross is a compact SUV, at just 4340mm long, 1800mm wide and 1630mm tall. The boot is 442 litres.
So will the Aircross spell the end of the C-Crosser?
Not in the short term. Citroen will continue to sell both 4x4s, although CAR expects the larger model to be phased out longer term. Sales of large seven-seat 4x4s are not as voluminous as more compact SUVs and the French only sold 634 in 2010.
What else do we know about the new Citroen C4 Aircross?
Although based on the Mitsubishi ASX, Citroen plans only higher spec models priced above £20k.
The Aircross will offer front- and four-wheel drive. The AWD system is switchable, letting drivers select permanent or part-time 4wd.
Although exact engines and transmissions haven’t been decided yet for the UK, an HDI 110 engine and six-speed manual transmission is likely to be offered. Other engines available in Europe include a 1.6 petrol and a more powerful 2.0 HDI 150.
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