The French automobile manufacturer Group PSA is all set to return to India with a new brand Citroen. They have tried to penetrate the Indian market previously with Peugeot but failed and had to retreat. In their financial plan for the year 2019-2021, they have decided to step up in the Indian market after the successful production of powertrains. They will locally produce their cars for the Indian roads and will be launched in India first. They will target brands like Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, and Volkswagen in the Rs 5 lakh to Rs 10 lakh segment.
The upcoming Citroen CC21 hatchback was seen surfacing online with renders and leaks. It is soon going to be released in Brazil. Citroen CC21 is based on the compact SUV design with the PSA’s state of the art common modular platform. They will manufacture a cheaper version of the PSA CMP; it is the same version on which the Peugeot 208 is built.
Citroen CC21 will be a Smart Car and is rumored to be launched in India in early 2021 during the festival season. It will feature a muscular front design with LED lights and a bold main grille with a tall hood. It will have the company’s signature honeycomb design. It is unknown what engine capabilities the car will have, but it reported that it would feature the Pure Tech 1.2L and 2L Turbo Flex engines and a diesel variant of 1.5L de-tuned version. These engines can produce up to 90bhp and 127Nm of torque while the diesel variant would be able to produce up to 130bhp.
The Common Modular Platform can sport both electric and hybrid engines, so it will be interesting to see what option the company will provide in India. Some reports say that the testing has already commenced in India for Citroen CC21, the company will begin with the production. It will rival already established brands like the Hyundai i20, Volkswagen Polo, Maruti Suzuki Swift, and Baleno.
