Destined for an official unveiling at this year’s Auto Shanghai show, the Citroën Aircross concept showcases the radical styling and packaging we could expect of a large SUV model from the quirky French carmaker.
Although the concept’s bold styling shares many elements with those of the C4 Cactus, the concept’s measurements of 4 580 mm high, 2 100 mm wide and 1 800 mm tall, riding on 22-inch alloy wheels, are in a similar bracket to those of such models as the Hyundai Santa Fe and Land Rover Discovery Sport.
The Citroën Aircross concept utilises a pug-in hybrid powertrain comprising a front axle-mounted 1,6-litre petrol engine developing 162 kW and 275 N.m and a rear-mounted electric motor with 70 kW and 200 N.m on tap – good for an overall output of 233 kW.
Its lithium-ion battery pack can be fully charged from a regular household electrical socket in three-and-a-half hours and endows the Citroën Aircross concept with an electric-only range of around 50 km.
Among the cabin’s quirky elements are a brace of 12-inch high-definition screens, one of which can be removed and toted about as a tablet. Citroën has also gone some way to making motoring a more sociable affair by fitting individual speakers and microphones in each of the seats, so as to encourage a dialogue between the vehicle’s occupants.
Citroën hasn’t made any noises regarding a production version, rather citing the concept as a preview of the company’s future styling direction and “international ambitions.”
