The future Citroën C5 Aircross, unveiled as a concept at the 2024 Paris Motor Show, is set to be unveiled as a production model in the first half of the year. However, this production version has been leaked: patent photos filed by Citroën in Argentina reveal the design of the second generation, which will be positioned at the top of the range and mark the culmination of its renewal.
True to the concept
First observation on these photos: Citroën did not lie to us and the future C5 Aircross will indeed be very faithful to the concept, showing a closeness of 90 to 95%. In particular, Pierre Leclercq, the brand's design director, had told me that all the lines of the concept would be found on the production version, and these first photos confirm this. Of course, the production version does not have the exaggerations of the concept, particularly in the modelling of the rear wings. These 3D images do not allow us to draw any definitive conclusions, but it seems that the wings are less generous. Similarly, the retractable door handles have disappeared in favour of classic handles and the rear-view mirrors are those of the latest Peugeot 3008, so goodbye to the very thin rear-view mirrors of the concept.
However, we find on the production version the same modelling on the front door, the same design of the side protection which integrates a Color Clip, as well as the same roof which culminates at its maximum point over the rear passengers before starting a rapid descent towards the tailgate, characteristic of the next C5 Aircross and which gives this model a profile so particular, so Citroën in short.
Finally, these first images confirm above all that the production version will feature Citroën's famous Light Wing, which gives the rear lights the appearance of aeroplane wings and helps to make this second generation of the brand's large SUV a champion of aerodynamics.
Still many secrets.
Finally, these first photos of the future C5 Aircross confirm the brand's statements during the presentation of the concept at the last Paris Motor Show in October 2018. However, the next generation of the large chevron SUV still hides many secrets, including its interior, which was not revealed during the presentation of the concept, although it was made and can be observed. Certainly, a few leaks appeared during the documentary dedicated to Citroën broadcast on RFM a few weeks ago, but nothing indicates that this interior is faithful to the production version. The brand could have gone further with the design of the interior before deciding not to show it, or perhaps to show it later.
In any case, my indiscretions suggest that the interior is certainly the best-designed part of the future C5 Aircross, which, when we see the beauty of the exterior design, allows us to imagine the beauty of the interior. This is all the more remarkable as the same leaks told me that the next C5 Aircross would have a dashboard worthy of Citroën's stylistic signature: originality, style, "warmth" and some details reminiscent of some of the brand's older models.
This second generation therefore still hides many secrets that will be revealed in a few months' time, especially on the technical side, although we do know that the 2025 C5 Aircross will take over the Peugeot 3008's engines, with a 136 hp hybrid engine, a 195 hp plug-in hybrid engine and an already announced electric version with a range of 680 km.
In conclusion, with this next C5 Aircross, Citroën confirms that it is not only capable of offering accessible cars with style and a lot of comfort with the C3 and C3 Aircross, but also of offering more expensive, more original and still daring models. These photos confirm that the production version is very faithful to the concept presented in October, even if there are slight differences and the vehicle still hides many secrets. In any case, this second generation of Citroën's large SUV also shows that the brand has given itself the means to offer a different SUV; the positive reception of the concept bodes well for this next production version, especially if it has as good an interior as I was led to believe.
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