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NEWS
Citroen relaunches C4 AirCross
Price cut and more sales predicted for compact SUVA substantial price cut is the highlight of the relaunch of the small Citroen C4 AirCross SUV by the French company’s newly appointed Australian distributor.
Trading under the name Citroen Automobiles Australia, Sime Darby took over distribution rights from Ateco Automotive last month, and has chopped thousands of dollars from the AirCross by simply converting the recommended retail pricing to drive-away.
So while the 4x2 Exclusive is still listed at $31,990 and the 4x4 version $33,990, the former is now $3800 cheaper and the latter drops $3890.
The slashed AirCross pricing follows on from substantial price cuts by Citroen Australia announced last February for the rest of the range including the C3, C4 and C5 passenger cars.
Otherwise the AirCross models remain fundamentally the same cars as launched by Ateco last July, both versions powered by the same 2.0-litre petrol engine mated to a continuously variable transmission, with six pre-programmed steps. The 4x2 is front-wheel drive, the 4x4 can be swapped manually between two-wheel drive, four-wheel drive and lock modes.
While it shares its model designation with the C4 small car, the AirCross is actually based on the Mitsubishi ASX and built in Japan.
It’s the same story for the 4008 model offered by Citroen’s stablemate Peugeot in Australia.
The AirCross’ revised pricing makes it instantly more competitive in its category – in the short term at least. Citroen only promises to absorb on-road costs up to the middle of the year. It's not certain at this stage that the distributor will continue with driveaway pricing beyond that, leaving the possibility that buyers will need to factor in registration and compulsory third-party insurance if they leave the purchasing decision too long.
Compounding the question of to buy or not to buy, both the ASX and 4008 offer cheaper manual gearbox variants. A 1.8-litre turbo-diesel engine is also part of the Mitsubishi model's line-up but absent from the French brands', even though certified for local sale.
Citroen Australia general manager/director John Startari said the company felt compelled to relaunch the first Citroen-badged SUV ever sold here because Ateco had slid it on to the market very quietly.
“Our research has shown the awareness levels of AirCross … is not where they should be, hence our strategy of relaunching as stock becomes available.”
That lack of awareness reflects in only 84 AirCross sales since its launch last June. Citroen Automobiles Australia is forecasting a lift to 20 sales per month.
The AirCross is differentiated externally from its Peugeot and Mitsubishi relations by the Chevron grille, vertical LED driving lights and inverted shark’s fin C-pillar.
Under the bonnet the engine continues to pump out 110kW at 6000rpm, while torque has risen from 197Nm to 199Nm at 4200rpm. The combined fuel consumption average is 7.9L/100km (8.1 for the 65kg heavier 4x4), 185g CO2/km (192) and a 0-100km/h acceleration time of 10.2 secs (10.9).
Body measurements are unchanged, at 4340mm long, 1799mm wide and 1625mm high. The five-seat interior includes a split-fold rear-seat and a luggage capacity of 394 litres, which grows to 1193 litres with the bench folded.
It remains well specified, continuing with standard 18-inch alloy wheels (a 16-inch steel spare replaces a space-saver), automatic headlights and wipers, front and rear foglights, a leather-clad multi-function steering wheel, cruise control, climate control and a six-speaker sound system with AUX/USB inputs and Bluetooth phone connectivity.
The extensive safety kit comprising seven airbags (including front, front-side, curtain and a driver’s knee airbag), electronic stability control, ABS brakes, hill-start assist rear parking sensors and new reversing camera with its screen mounted in the rear-view mirror.
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Written byBruce Newton
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