Citroen and Dongfeng, the Chinese brand under which the French company with the two chevrons sells its models, are celebrating the new Chinese New Year, which is this year symbolized by one of the fiercest felines, the tiger, which is also the name of a special edition of the flagship: the Citroen C5 X “Year of the Tiger.”
In Europe and China, the new Citroen C5 X has established itself as the brand’s flagship. The French company offers its products in this market under the Dongfeng name, and in honor of the Chinese New Year, they have chosen to release a limited edition of the saloon with crossover tints restricted to 1,000 units.
Although the Chinese New Year will officially begin on February 3, 2022, the Citroen C5 X “Year of the Tiger” is currently on sale, with one of the deadliest cats as the star, whose essential traits have been translated to the Citroen flagship. In comparison to the standard C5 X, this limited edition features unique details on both the interior and outside. There are seven exterior paint colors to pick from: “Pearl White,” “Carbon Black,” “Greenish Gold,” “Space Silver,” “Sand Copper,” “Ash Blue,” and “Blue Night” on the outside.
Elegant hues contrast with the red inlay on the 19-inch alloy wheels, giving the car a sportier appearance. It also features a distinctive logo on the rear pillar that depicts a tiger’s head with red inlays and the model’s name in Latin and Chinese characters. The inside has gray leather upholstery with red headrests and the same feline head embroidered in gold thread, as well as a 12-inch touch screen for the infotainment system on the center console.
These are the only information provided by this limited edition of 1,000 devices for the Chinese market, which has attracted over 12,000 clients in just three months since its introduction.
Furthermore, according to the brand’s internal projections, no more than 5,000 units will be added to the model’s credit account during the month of January.
The Citroen C5 X “Year of the Tiger” will be available with the single mechanical variant available on the Asian market: a 1.6-liter THP four-cylinder petrol engine producing 175 horsepower. It comes with front-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic transmission from Aisin.
The C5 X is built on the same EMP2 platform as the Peugeot 508 L, a China-only variant of the midsize fastback with a longer wheelbase to provide additional space for rear passengers.
The C5 X, like the 508 and another sibling vehicle, the DS 9 (also built in China), will be available with a plug-in hybrid engine as an option, as well as gasoline and diesel variants for Europe.
The C5 X has an expanded, sloping rear roof line with two tiny spoilers, akin to the recently debuted Citroen C4 compact, which has crossover appeal as well. Black plastic wheel arch trim and bumpers that hint at skid plates are SUV-like characteristics.
To create an elevated driving stance, tall and skinny tires are mounted on 19-inch wheels.
Lexus and Fiat also employed a similar hybrid profile in the 2000s, with the IS300 SportCross and Croma, respectively.
Citroen last competed in the sector with the C5, a sedan and station wagon model that was discontinued in 2019. Since then, the tiny C5 Aircross SUV has served as the company’s flagship.
Cobee recognized that the conventional “three box” midsize car class has been under pressure from SUVs, but he said it was still important in China, a region that Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares has prioritized this year.
“In China, the midsize sedan sector is three times larger than in Europe,” he explained.
Keyword: Citroen C5 X, is Now On Sale