Citroen C-Aircross Concept previews the C3 Picasso’s future as an SUV

The Citroen C-Aircross Concept is revealed ahead of a debut at the Geneva Motor Show, almost certainly previewing a new C3 SUV for late 2017.

The world and his dog  (especially the dog) has fallen in love with SUVs and Crossovers, and every car maker on the planet is trying to turn their slow-selling saloons and MPVs in to SUVs and Crossovers. Step forward the Citroen C-Aircross Concept.

Looking like the urban SUV take on the love child of the new Citroen C3 and C4 Cactus, complete with the (love ’em or hate ’em) plastic Airbumps on the flanks, the de rigueur butch bits required for an urban SUV – like skid plates, roof rails and raised ride height – and a nose from the C3.

There are also things which probably won’t make a production version, including rear-hinged back doors and cameras for mirrors (but who knows – they might), but it looks modern Citroen ready to go to us.

Inside is a concept take on the interior of the C4 Cactus, with a sort of heads-up display taking the place of traditional digital instruments, centre infotainment screen, square steering wheel and funky orange trim. It’s all a bit of a concept look, but not that far away from a production feel.

This isn’t the first Citroen Aircross Concept (there was a Citroen Aircross Crossover back in 2010 and a Cactus Aircross Concept in 2015), but this one looks ready to go in to production later this year, complete with engines from the C3 and with Citroen’s Grip Control to give it a modicum of SUV traction.