Citroen C-Crosser. One of their own

Citroen C-Crosser is the fruit of collaboration between the PSA Peugeot Citroen concern and Mitsubishi Motors Corporation. From its "Japanese parent" it inherited the all-wheel-drive Outlander platform, but the "family traits" and character were shaped by French engineers and designers. They managed to combine solid technical content with typically French charm. In profile, you can still recognize the features of the "progenitor," but from the front, the car looks quite distinctive. The headlights logically continue the line of the brand's "chevrons," the radiator grille is executed with elegance, and the small "tongue" of the engine protection peeking out from under the bumper, along with 18-inch wheels, hint that this dapper suit is not afraid of dirt. True, I personally had not the slightest desire to drag the C-Crosser into a swamp or storm a sand quarry with it. And future owners will most likely have completely different priorities.

The interior fully matches the exterior: stylish yet restrained. There are almost no purely decorative elements in the cabin — everything is subordinated to functionality. The front seats are comfortable, with good lateral support and electric adjustments, the instrument panel is easy to read, and there are plenty of niches and compartments for small items. The large navigation screen also raises no complaints. Two-thirds of the 30 GB hard drive is occupied by maps of Europe, and the remaining memory can easily hold more than two thousand tracks in MP3 or WMA formats. The navigation is complemented by a rear-view camera that automatically activates when reversing.

The test organizers from Automobiles Citroen resorted to a trick: the tests were conducted in the foothills of the Pyrenees. And here, on narrow mountain serpentines, the C-Crosser not only harmoniously blended into the landscape (thanks to the designers for that) but also demonstrated its best driving qualities (here, a nod to the engineers). Under the hood is a 2.2-liter turbodiesel with variable-geometry turbocharger, delivering 160 hp at 4000 rpm. The engine, produced at the plant in French Trimmer, is based on the 173-horsepower unit from the C5 and C6 models and boasts a very solid torque of 380 Nm at 2000 rpm. During the development of this engine, special attention was paid to both comfort and ecology: the particulate filter reduced CO2 emissions to 194 g/km. The combination of the torquey diesel and the 6-speed manual gearbox performed excellently on mountain roads. The brakes also did their job: ventilated discs with a diameter of 294 mm are installed at the front, and 302 mm at the rear.

At the front, the C-Crosser has a pseudo-McPherson suspension, and at the rear — a multi-link setup. The suspension and steering settings, including the power steering, deserve praise: on the serpentine, driving is a real pleasure. The car holds its course confidently, responds instantly to steering inputs, and body roll in corners is minimal. The driver is also assisted by an intelligent drive management system: it analyzes road conditions, speed, and wheel slip, and through an electronically controlled differential lock clutch redistributes part of the torque to the rear wheels.

Of course, the C-Crosser should not be considered a 100% off-road vehicle, but the all-wheel-drive system is present here, and it can help in difficult conditions. On good surfaces, the 2WD mode is used, where torque goes only to the front wheels. In 4WD mode, torque is distributed between the axles, and the electronics dose its supply to the rear axle depending on the situation. For very severe cases, a Lock mode is provided: in it, the torque to the rear wheels increases by one and a half times compared to 4WD mode.

Another plus for travelers is the possibility of transforming the cabin. The second-row seats can be folded behind the front seatbacks if needed, significantly increasing the trunk volume. The seats can be folded manually or with the help of an electric drive activated by buttons in the trunk — an impressive feature. If the number of passengers is more important than the volume of luggage, a third row of seats is "hidden" under the trunk floor: with it, the cabin can accommodate seven people. The trunk volume in the five-seat configuration is 510 liters, and if the second row is folded, it grows to 1691 liters.

Passions for C-Crosser

As soon as my acquaintances saw the first photos of the Citroen C-Crosser, a dispute broke out among them: is it worth buying a "clone" when there is the "original" Mitsubishi Outlander? This dispute seems pointless to me — a car, like clothing, is chosen by each person for themselves, and I see no flaws in the "tailoring" of the C-Crosser. A common platform? There are no downsides to that, especially since the car is assembled in Japan. How suitable is this crossover for real off-road? Here I will again refer to the common platform — no more than the same Outlander. External resemblance? The French designers clearly tried to give the C-Crosser individuality, and in my opinion, they succeeded. So we have a truly stylish car with excellent technical characteristics. Potential buyers will choose based on many factors not related to the base model. And one of the main ones will undoubtedly be the price. In France, the base Pack trim costs 34,250 euros. At the same time, a number of options, such as the rear-view camera, color navigation screen, and 18-inch wheels, will be additional for this version.

Driving
Rating — five. The car responds perfectly to the steering wheel, and the suspension successfully balances between comfort and "sportiness."

Interior
The seats are comfortable, the ergonomics are well thought out, and the trunk is spacious. Suitable for both city driving and long trips.

Comfort
The sound insulation of the engine compartment has been improved, and two balance shafts have reduced vibrations.

Safety
In the base configuration — 6 airbags. Reinforced beams in the doors protect against side impacts.

Price
It is not yet known what it will be in Russia.

Advantages and disadvantages
+ Stylish, comfortable, economical for its class, excellent handling.
- Does not possess the qualities of a true off-roader. It is unclear whether there will be a "special" price for Russia.

Our opinion

This car is equally good for calm city driving and for long journeys. And the all-wheel-drive system will most likely help in difficult road situations. In Russia, sales of the new model are scheduled to start in February 2008, and the car will be offered with a 2.4-liter gasoline engine paired with an automatic transmission.