autoevolution
 

New Citroen C5 Confirmed For European Market, Coming In 2020

Did you know the current C5 is the last Citroen to benefit from hydropneumatic suspension? Thanks to computer-controlled ride stiffness, the Hydractive 3+ system offers a lot of comfort for what the C5 tries to be. Despite it all, the French automaker pulled the plug on the Euro-spec C5 in June, leaving China and a couple of other markets in Asia to enjoy the mid-size sedan (and wagon).
2017 Citroen C5 (China model) 11 photos
Photo: Citroen
2017 Citroen C5 (China model)2017 Citroen C5 (China model)2017 Citroen C5 (China model)2017 Citroen C5 (China model)2017 Citroen C5 (China model)2017 Citroen C5 (China model)2017 Citroen C5 (China model)2017 Citroen C5 (China model)2017 Citroen C5 (China model)2017 Citroen C5 (China model)
Instead of hydropneumatic technology, the new crop of Citroen models relies on progressive hydraulic cushions. The first nameplate to adopt the all-new suspension setup is the C5 Aircross compact crossover, and in all likelihood, the next generation of the C5 will get progressive hydraulic cushions as well.

Speaking to Automotive News on the sidelines of the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show, the automaker’s chief executive officer confirmed that the C5 is coming back to Europe in 2020. “Due to the separation of DS, some fairly small gaps in our portfolio emerged,” added Linda Jackson, which is another way of saying that Groupe PSA isn’t good at making a cohesive product plan.

We knew since early 2016 that Peugeot and DS would gradually borrow the C5 Aircross’ suspension system, but Jackson made it clear the technology won’t be shared with Opel. And that’s a bit curious when you bear in mind the Russelsheim-based former General Motors brand is now owned by PSA.

If I may turn the focus back on the 2020 Citroen C5, prospective customers in Europe are likely to forget that Citroen once made big sedans by then. If PSA and GM were to continue their symbiosis, it wouldn’t be too surprising if the Opel Insignia were to borrow some of its bits and bobs to the all-new C5.

In the case Citroen decides to go alone in the development of the newcomer, then expect switchgear and powertrain options from other Citroen, Peugeot, and DS models, including hybrid and plug-in hybrid solutions. The 2018 Peugeot 508 should be the starting point for the next-generation C5.
If you liked the article, please follow us:  Google News icon Google News Youtube Instagram X (Twitter)

Editor's note: China-spec 2017 Citroen C5 pictured.

About the author: Mircea Panait
Mircea Panait profile photo

After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well.
Full profile

 

Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?

You will only receive our top stories