Ian Fletcher, Principal Automotive Analyst, IHS Markit, examines Citroen’s plans for a new SUV

CITROEN, part of the PSA Group, has published details of its new C-Aircross Concept due to go on public view at the Geneva Motor Show next month.

With this week’s news of PSA Group’s bid to buy Vauxhall/Opel from General Motors, it is key to note that production of Citroën’s new model will be undertaken by General Motors (GM) at its Zaragoza (Spain) plant beginning in the second half of 2017.

It will be built as part of the partnership between the two automakers that was established when GM owned a stake in PSA, now divested.

The C-Aircross concept vehicle measures 4.15m long, 1.74m wide and 1.63m tall, and follows in the footsteps of the recently launched third-generation B segment C3 in terms of its design direction.

Among its key features are:

• Its short and raised bonnet and robust front end with split level light signature;
• Rugged appearance;
• Front and rear protection shields;
• Wheel arch extensions and large wheels with elevated ride height position.

However, some emphasis has been given to aerodynamic efficiency, with air inlets located in the front bumper, air outlets in the side door guards, and a rear diffuser.

The concept also features rear passenger doors that are rear hinged – so-called suicide doors – and have been used in other Citroën concepts in recent years.

The interior uses a single piece fabric dashboard that benefits from a head-up display (HUD), a single-spoke steering wheel and a 12-inch touchscreen that can be split into a number of configurations.

The touchscreen – installed in the centre of the dash – offers access to the Citroën Connect Nav satellite navigation system that can also play music or films or access a smartphone through Mirror Screen.

Furthermore, the vehicle also features Citroën’s ConnectedCAM system which was introduced on the new C3, while the front and rear headrests are equipped with their own built-in speakers.

The seats are raised and suspended and benefit from embossed Alcantara with a quilt effect, while the seats also adapt to the shape and size of each occupant. The interior gains a number of large storage spaces, such as in the dashboard, doors, seat side panels and centres console which also features induction charging for smartphones.

No word has been offered about the powertrain installed in to this concept, but Citroën did note that it has sought to give it some off-road capability with its Grip Control technology. Controlled by a dial in the centre console, this offers five different modes: Standard, Sand, Off-Road, Snow and ESP Off.

Outlook and implications

While there are undoubtedly certain features that will not reach production – most notably the “suicide” doors – this concept is likely to heavily represent the look of its forthcoming sub-compact crossover which will be the brand’s first bespoke offering in this category.

This vehicle will replace the current Citroën C3 Picasso, reflecting the consumer shift from multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs) to SUVs in recent years.

Let’s have a look at the figures.

In the European Union (EU) and European Free Trade Agreement (EFTA) region, the B-MPV category peaked at 565,700 units during 2005. In the peak year for the C3 Picasso of 2010 – in which it sold around 77,000 units – the category sold around 432,000 units, which is anticipated to have fallen to 321,600 units during 2016.

By comparison, the market for B SUVs is forecast to have grown from 121,300 units during 2010 to around 1.14 million units during 2016. There is also expected to be a further increase to 2.27 million units by the end of the decade as customer interest gains further momentum from new models like this.

Furthermore, the Citroen concept indicates a further push by Groupe PSA in Europe into the crossover category. After a modest start with the first-generation Peugeot 3008 and Mitsubishi-sourced models, the introduction of the Peugeot 2008 and the second-generation Peugeot 3008 led to a substantial uplift in momentum, with a large order book for the 3008. In addition, its Peugeot 5008 has made a shift from the compact MPV category to the seven-seat SUV segment.

However, others are also on the way. As well as a sub-compact model, Citroën will also gain a compact SUV from next year. The DS Automobiles brand will also benefit from new sub-compact and compact SUVs with which to boost the attractiveness of its line-up to customers, the B SUV expected to effectively replace the DS3 which is to be phased out by the end of the decade.

IHS Markit anticipates that PSA’s crossover volumes in EU and EFTA will grow from 263,600 units during 2016 to 540,700 units in 2020, based on current forecasts. This will be despite the OEM’s registrations volumes reaching 1.887 million units by this point, versus around 1.854 million units during 2016. Of this, the Citroën B-SUV will record registrations of 68,300 units, having expected to have peaked at 84,800 units during 2018.