At 2024 Paris Motor Show Citroen presented the C5 Aircross concept as an announcement of the second generation of this compact SUV. It will enter production in mid-2025 and will be offered with an all-electric option and a range of 680 km.
The new generation C5 Aircross will be produced in the Rennes plant (France) as well as the first generation of this model. In this plant Stellantis has invested $ 173 million to prepare it to produce a fully electric model.
C5 Aircross will share a platform with other stellantis compact SUVs, including Peugeot 3008, Opel / Vauxhall Grandland and the new Jeep Compass. It will be built on the stla medium architecture, developed for internal combustion engines and all-electric cars.
Although the French manufacturer did not publish technical quads, some consider the new generation C5 Aircross to be available with 48-volt hybrid drive, plug-in hybrid, several fully electrical versions and a maximum range of almost 700 km.
The VW Tayron is a new and one of the largest SUVs of the German manufacturer intended for the European and American markets. The order book is open and the price starts at 45,475 euros.
The car is 4.8 meters long with a wheelbase of 2791 mm and is very similar to the Chinese-spec Tiguan L Pro. However, Volkswagen did not clearly say that it is based on this model. It’s extremely roomy, and European buyers will be able to choose between five- and seven-seat versions, and it also offers a decent 885-litre boot. It is equipped with LED Plus headlights with automatic headlight range control and dynamic cornering lights in the basic version, while those with deeper pockets will be able to choose matrix LED lights and adaptive suspension.
Inside, it can be said that most of it is taken from the Tiguan, but with some additions. These include high-quality materials with refined edges and fine contrast stitching, soft artificial leather on the instrument panel, front door panels, door inserts and center console, an infotainment system with a 12.5-inch screen, three-zone air conditioning and advanced ambient lighting. Optionally, customers can choose a chatbot, seats with a massage function and Harman Kardon sound system.
When it comes to the powertrain, customers will be able to choose between two plug-in hybrids (eHybrid), eTSI, two turbocharged gasoline engines (TSI) and two turbocharged diesel engines, with power ranging from 150 hp (110 kW) to 272 hp (200 kW). eHybrid versions are equipped with a 19.7 kWh battery with an electric range of 100 km. The battery can be charged with a power of up to 11 kW on an AC wallbox or an AC charger and with a power of up to 50 kWh on DC fast charging stations.
The eTSI version will be equipped with a 48 V battery in which, during braking, kinetic energy is recovered through a generator and stored. This battery supplies all systems, even when the gasoline engine is not in use.
All versions are equipped with a dual-clutch automatic transmission (DSG). The turbocharged gasoline engine and the most powerful turbocharged diesel engine are combined with 4MOTION all-wheel drive, while all other versions have front-wheel drive.
Mercedes is definitely not giving up on the S-Class with internal combustion engines, although an all-electric version of Mercedes’ most luxurious sedan is expected to arrive soon, in 2026.
According to the statements of the Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, Ola Källenius, the company has already invested a lot of money in the development of new internal combustion engines that will come in the new generation. He also announced the arrival of an all-electric version that will be built on a new platform that is also used by the EQS model.
“Given that the S-Class represents the top of our offer and the best that customers can get for their money today, we have invested more, because we are not ready to make the compromise that we would have to make if the conventional and electrically powered versions were based on the same platform, which would ultimately had a negative impact on the offer of cabin and engine space,” says Källenius.
In August, Mercedes announced that it will put EQS and S-Class under one name. The reason is lower demand for these cars. “In the future, there will be two S-Classes, one with ICE and one with electric drive,” said Mercedes director Ola Kallenius. This means that buyers will have more choice, as with the G-Class which is offered with internal combustion engines and as all-electric.
