Citroen C5 Aircross arrives as Citroen deliver their take on the Peugeot 3008 SUV

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The Citroen C5 Aircross SUV has been revealed at the Shanghai Motor Show as a Citroen SUV offering a 300bhp plug-in hybrid powertrain.

It’s two years since the Citroen Aircross SUV Concept arrived at the Shanghai Motor Show, and now we get the production version – the new Citroen C5 Aircross – debuting at the 2017 Shanghai Motor Show.

Sitting on the same platform which underpins the Peugeot 3008, it has much of the looks – and technology – of the Aircross Concept, although some of the concept stuff from the Aircross has been left out of the production model.

But just like the new C3, the C5 Aircross does dare to be a little different to the mainstream as Citroen’s mojo returns, and the floating roof and chrome C-pillar are still evident, as are Airbumps above the sills.

Inside – which Citroen say has best in class space – there are remnants of the Aircross Concept too, with a wide centre console, and 8″ infotainment screen and a 12.3″ digital instrument binnacle.

Citroen are once again travelling the ‘comfort’ route – which is very sensible- and the C5 Aircross comes with double glazed front windows for added hush, and Progressive Hydraulic Cushion suspension for a cosseting ride.

Technology includes automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise, Lane Departure Warning and Traffic Sign recognition, although it’s what’s under the bonnet which is most interesting.

In the UK, apart from the usual offerings of BlueHDi Diesels and THP petrols – pretty much what the Peugeot 3008 offers – the C5 Aircross is also getting the option of a plug-in hybrid powertrain, just like the Aircross Concept.

That means a 200bhp petrol engine working with two electric motors – which means 4wd too – adding another 100bhp for a total of 300bhp, enough to get to 62mph, we expect, in under 5 seconds, making the C5 Aircross PHEV the most powerful production Citroen ever built.

The Citroen C5 Aircross will go on sale in China in October, but will arrive in the UK in 2018. Expect starting prices to be similar to the £21k Peugeot 3008, although the PHEV will be a chunk more.