2023 Citroen C5 Aircross update delayed until 'early 2023'

UPDATE: 2023 Citroen C5 Aircross facelift delayed

The facelifted 2023 Citroen C5 Aircross medium SUV has been delayed until early next year.

As we confirmed in our New Car Calendar update in September, the C5 Aircross Australian release had been postponed to at least the first half of 2023.

Citroen has not given precise timing, but it will launch in early 2023. Full details are expected in the coming months.

“There has been a slight delay, until early 2023, with the introduction of the facelifted Citroen C5 Aircross to the Australian market," said a Citroen Australia spokesperson.

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While three four-cylinder powertrains have been approved for sale in Australia – two 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engines, with 121kW or 133kW, and a 130kW 2.0-litre turbo-diesel – only the 133kW petrol is expected locally.

This engine is found in the recently-launched C5 X, and the related Peugeot 3008 and 5008.

A plug-in hybrid, which produces 165kW of total system power, is available overseas.

The PHEV is believed to be under consideration for Australia, with the powertrain currently available on the Peugeot 508, and soon to be offered on the C5 X and Peugeot 308 hatch.

Jordan Hickey

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The story to here

January 13: 2022 Citroen C5 Aircross facelift revealed

The 2022 Citroen C5 Aircross has received its mid-life update, with curves being replaced by stronger lines and sharper features.

Citroen debuted the new-look C5 Aircross in Europe, showing off a new front-end featuring more traditional headlights, with LED daytime-running lights extending out from the revised grille.

The front bumper also receives a cleaner design, with a skid plate available in either black or silver, matched with new 18-inch alloy wheels.

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Along with a reworked dashboard, occupants now benefit from a new ‘floating’ 10.0-inch infotainment screen, while the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster carries over.

A new e-Toggle gear selector is now offered, and with a driving model selection button for Grip Control, along with wireless smartphone charger and two USB ports.

Advance Comfort seats have been borrowed from the wider Citroen range, available with heating and massage functions, finished in a choice of either Alcantara (synthetic suede) or perforated leather.

No changes have been noted under the bonnet, with the C5’s 121kW/240Nm 1.6-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine expected to carry over, along with its six-speed automatic transmission offered locally.

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Overseas model shown.

A spokesperson for Peugeot Australia told Wheels the facelifted C5 Aircross is currently undergoing evaluation, with further information expected in the coming months.

There’s also no word at this stage whether the plug-in hybrid powertrain offered in Europe is on the cards for Australia, but the electrified model could help bolster local sales. The model offers up to 55km of pure-electric driving, with a 1.6-litre petrol engine on hand for longer distances.

In Australia, the French brand sold just 58 examples of the C5 Aircross in 2021 – a 35 per cent drop in sales compared with the previous year – accounting for less than 0.04 per cent of vehicles sold in the medium SUV segment.

Below: The current 2021 Citroen C5 Aircross

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Above: the current Aircross