Production sketch of Citroën’s new C5 Aircross SUV.

Citroën expands into large SUVs

Citroën’s forthcoming C5 Aircross large SUV is to debut at the Shanghai Motor Show ahead of its launch in 2018.

Rivalling models such as the Discovery Sport, the crossover provides a production version of the Aircross concept revealed two years ago at Shanghai and could be built on the PSA-GM SUV platform, shared with the Peugeot 3008 and Vauxhall Grandland X.

This year’s Shanghai Motor Show will also see Citroën showcase the C-Aircross Concept, which previews a future compact SUV and also forms part of the carmaker’s “SUV offensive. The carmaker has revealed that the production version will be called C3 Aircross and will launch in Europe before the end of 2017.

S-Class also features technology that adjusts speed for bends or junctions.

Mercedes S-Class to get range-extended PHEV

Teased at New York ahead of its world premiere at Auto Shanghai, the updated S-Class will get a range-boosted PHEV version with an electric range of about 50km as well as new in-line six cylinders diesel and petrol engines and a V8 biturbo petrol unit.

The revised flagship model will also gain updated driver assistance that now incorporate map and navigation data to calculate driving behaviour as well as using enhanced camera and radar systems. As a result the Distronic Active Proximity Control and Active Steer Assist now can adjust speed automatically to allow for bends or junctions.

The revised S-Class launches in European markets from July.

Volkswagen plans to sell 1 million electric cars a year by 2025.

Volkswagen signals plans for electric crossover

Volkswagen is to premiere an electric crossover rival to the Tesla Model X at this month’s Auto Shanghai show.

The latest concept comes as the brand plans to sell 1 million electric cars a year by 2025 and forms the third member of the carmaker’s electric I.D. family alongside the I.D. – which is scheduled to start production from 2020 – and the I.D. Buzz MPV.

Like its other I.D. siblings, the latest concept again focuses on long range – said to be on the same level as modern petrol-engine cars – and autonomous functionality while also offering all-wheel drive.