In yet another death to the sedan body style, Citroën seems to be readying their new C5 as a crossover. However, unlike the usual crop of jacked-up SUV-shaped crossover’s we’re used to, the C5 pictured here appears more like a raised mix of estate and fastback. In fact, if you squint, you can see flashes of Porsche Cross Turismo almost.
The new C5 also looks similar to the Ford
Mondeo Evo, indicating that this confusing mishmash of SUV, Estate and Coupe
could just be the next big thing. Regardless of whether more manufacturers jump
on the bandwagon or not, the C5 will share the EMP2 platform. This is the same
basis for the acclaimed but very conventional Peugeot 508, as well as the
Citroën C5 Aircross.
Use of the EMP2 platform could mean that
the new C5 will have the option of both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive
drivetrains. The C5 could also offer hybrid power, with the platform supporting
the use of dual electric motor hybrids.
Some elements look to take after the
CXperiance Concept that debuted in 2016, albeit significantly toned down. The
CXperiance was a luxury hatchback concept. It featured suicide rear doors with
no B-pillar, a-la RX8 — which, judging by these spy shots, have definitely been
ditched from the production model. However, we expect to see certain design
elements, such as the lights and maybe even the funky interior, incorporated
into the final design.
The car, which was promised to be
“splendid” according to one Citroën executive, has been confirmed as a hugely
important addition to the French carmaker’s line-up, which hasn’t seen the C5
(standalone) feature since 2018. The C5 will likely be offered in Europe for
the 2022 model year, with a possible unveiling at the Shanghai Motorshow,
scheduled to take place next month.
