Citron Aircross Concept Ready For Shanghai Debut

Cameron Aubernon
by Cameron Aubernon

Coming to the 2015 Shanghai Auto Show is the Citroën Aircross crossover concept, whose looks harken back to when designs took after jelly beans.

The Audi Q5-sized PHEV rides on 22-inch wheels shod in custom Continental tires, and is motivated by a 1.6-liter turbo-four producing 218 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque, paired with an electric motor on the rear axle contributing an additional 95 horses and 147 lb-ft of torque; total output is 313 horsepower and 250 lb-ft of torque. Nil to 62 occurs in 4.5 seconds, electric-only range comes to 31 miles, and combined fuel economy is 166 mpg.

Part of the Aircross’ design includes so-called “Alloy Bumps,” which are meant to protect the Aircross from lateral impacts thanks to their motorsport-derived aluminum honeycomb structure. Meanwhile, the PHEV’s enhanced aero package — such as the “Air Signs” rear-window trim and “Air Curtains” air intakes up front — improve the concept’s aerodynamic profile beyond the initial design.

Inside, the driver is greeted by a pair of 12-inch panoramic HD screens “inspired by the worlds of fashion and modern furniture design,” one of which can be transferred from passenger to passenger via hand gestures. All occupants can also enjoy a pair of webcams mounted on either side of the cabin’s door frames, which can take photos of the outside world to be shared via social networking, as well as to gain information for use with the Aircross’ navigation system.






Cameron Aubernon
Cameron Aubernon

Seattle-based writer, blogger, and photographer for many a publication. Born in Louisville. Raised in Kansas. Where I lay my head is home.

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  • Corey Lewis Corey Lewis on Apr 09, 2015

    I have a hard time believing anything Citroen puts out will have 300hp, much less that crazy fast 0-60 time and custom tires. Citroen doesn't really make fast cars, it's not their thing. Economical yes, quirky certainly - but not fast. The stripy tweed fabric on the back of the seats needs to stay. And it needs TURBO motifs embroidered into it. A very early 80's or late 70's kind of feature. Overall, I really like it. The silver frame around the rear doors looks like a bottle opener.

  • Buzzyrpm Buzzyrpm on Apr 09, 2015

    This is a very original forward thinking design. Inside and out. Very contemporary. I think Citroen may be entering an era to match that of its earlier glorious history.

  • TheEndlessEnigma These cars were bought and hooned. This is a bomb waiting to go off in an owner's driveway.
  • Kwik_Shift_Pro4X Thankfully I don't have to deal with GDI issues in my Frontier. These cleaners should do well for me if I win.
  • Theflyersfan Serious answer time...Honda used to stand for excellence in auto engineering. Their first main claim to fame was the CVCC (we don't need a catalytic converter!) engine and it sent from there. Their suspensions, their VTEC engines, slick manual transmissions, even a stowing minivan seat, all theirs. But I think they've been coasting a bit lately. Yes, the Civic Type-R has a powerful small engine, but the Honda of old would have found a way to get more revs out of it and make it feel like an i-VTEC engine of old instead of any old turbo engine that can be found in a multitude of performance small cars. Their 1.5L turbo-4...well...have they ever figured out the oil dilution problems? Very un-Honda-like. Paint issues that still linger. Cheaper feeling interior trim. All things that fly in the face of what Honda once was. The only thing that they seem to have kept have been the sales staff that treat you with utter contempt for daring to walk into their inner sanctum and wanting a deal on something that isn't a bare-bones CR-V. So Honda, beat the rest of your Japanese and Korean rivals, and plug-in hybridize everything. If you want a relatively (in an engineering way) easy way to get ahead of the curve, raise the CAFE score, and have a major point to advertise, and be able to sell to those who can't plug in easily, sell them on something that will get, for example, 35% better mileage, plug in when you get a chance, and drives like a Honda. Bring back some of the engineering skills that Honda once stood for. And then start introducing a portfolio of EVs once people are more comfortable with the idea of plugging in. People seeing that they can easily use an EV for their daily errands with the gas engine never starting will eventually sell them on a future EV because that range anxiety will be lessened. The all EV leap is still a bridge too far, especially as recent sales numbers have shown. Baby steps. That's how you win people over.
  • Theflyersfan If this saves (or delays) an expensive carbon brushing off of the valves down the road, I'll take a case. I understand that can be a very expensive bit of scheduled maintenance.
  • Zipper69 A Mini should have 2 doors and 4 cylinders and tires the size of dinner plates.All else is puffery.
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