Stellantis has some really big EV plans for the global market. The carmaker aims to invest 160 million euros ($176.13 million) at its Rennes based facility in France to setup a battery assembly workshop and one dedicated to plastic injection moulding. The investment will also be used for developing the company’s future STLA Medium platform based BEVs including a new pure electric SUV (Citroen C5 Aircross electric).
STLA strategy!
For people not in the know, Stellantis will work on a four-platform BEV-focused strategy – STLA Small (for the A, B and C segments), STLA Medium (for the C and D segments), STLA Large (for the D and E segments) and STLA frame dedicated platform (for the electric E and F SUVs and pickup trucks). The STLA Medium platform based electric vehicles will deliver a range of over 700km and these EVs are reported to be manufactured at the company’s Melfi based plant in Italy. It could be used for the Vauxhall/Opel, DS and Lancia models.
What to expect from Citroen C5 Aircross electric?
Codenamed CR3, the carmaker’s new SUV “will succeed the current C5 Aircross with petrol, diesel and hybrid engines” in the European market. Its production version will get ready for the launch in 2025. The electric SUV will be designed on STLA Medium platform and expected to come with battery packs ranging between 87kWh and 105kWh. The new Citroen CR3 electric SUV will offer a range between 450km – 700km. With the FWD and RWD systems, it will promise power between 170bhp – 440bhp. As mentioned above, Stellantis’ Rennes based plant will serve as production hub for the new Citroen C5 Aircross electric SUV.
What’s for India?
As of now, there is no clarity whether the new Citroen C5 Aircross electric SUV or CR3 will come to India or not. Some media reports suggest that the French automaker has planned the Citroen C3X sedan for the Indian market. It’s likely to hit roads in 2024. Based on the CMP platform, it could feature the 1.2L turbo petrol engine that does duty in the C3 hatchback. In the coming months, the company will announce prices of the Citroen C3 Aircross SUV. Rumour has it that C3 Aircross could be followed by its electric iteration in 2024.
