SHANGHAI MOTOR SHOW: Citroen C5 Aircross officially unveiled

Citroen unveiled its all-new C5 Aircross SUV at the Shanghai Motor Show.

The C5 Aircross will tackle the Nissan Qashqai which sells in large numbers in Europe.

Launch in China is slated for October, followed by Europe at the end of 2018.

Citroen is claiming the five-seat SUV will provide best-in-class interior space - a long 2.73m wheelbase combines with other measurements of 4.5m (length), 1.84m (width) and 1.67m (height).

The C5 Aircross rides on PSA Group's EMP2 platform, which currently underpins cars like Peugeot's 3008.

Citroen claims its new compact SUV will be the "most comfortable SUV on the market". That's because the C5 Aircross gets Citroen's next-generation replacement for its old pneumatic suspension which combines soft springs with hydraulic bump stops for both rebound and compression.

The result, claims the French car maker, is a "flying carpet" ride over bumps and dips in the road.

Under the bonnet, the Citroen C5 Aircross features a plug-in hybrid powertrain comprising a conventional petrol engine delivering around 150kW plus two electric motors mounted on both the front and rear axles.

Together, the system produces up to 300kW and provides for all-wheel drive capability and a pure-electric driving range of up to 60km.

As well as the hybrid, Citroen will offer the C5 Aircross with either its turbocharged 1.2-litre PureTech petrol engine or a 1.6-litre turbo-diesel.

For off-road proficiency, the Citroen C5 Aircross runs traction-enhancing electronics including both Grip Control and Hill Descent.

Inside, the passenger cabin is light and airy thanks to a full panoramic sunroof and, considering China will be its largest market, there's an on-board air purifier.

Driver and front passenger get heated with a massage function.

Sharing its large 12.3-inch customisable 'virtual dash' with the Peugeot 3008, the C5 Aircross also comes with a large 8-inch touch-screen infotainment system.

Considering Australia's love for SUVs, it's likely, but not certain, the C5 Aircross will make it Down Under.

That's because its fate, is said to be linked to the success (or failure) of other new models like the C3 supermini due for launch here at the beginning of the third quarter of 2017.