Citroen C5 replacement spied testing

These spy shots are the first we've seen of Citroen's forthcoming large saloon car, which is likely to be named either C5 or C6. It's expected to launch in the coming months. The C6 name is currently used for a Chinese-market Citroen saloon, so our money is on the former.

The new car is likely to be offered with the option of electrified powertrains thanks to the use of the PSA Group's EMP2 mechanical platform, which is also found under the C5 Aircross, Vauxhall Grandland X, Peugeot 508 and DS 9. This opens up the possibility of one or more plug-in hybrid versions.

Much as the latest C4 is referred to by Citroen as a hatchback, but sports some SUV-like styling, the new saloon looks to continue the higher-riding trend. It's design shares a similar sloping roofline, but other details are a bit trickier to make out. Expect a similar look front and rear to the C4, albeit applied to a longer, taller and wider car. 

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Inside, the new Citroen is likely to take a more upmarket approach to trim, fit and finish than the rest of the range, but should be styled to match the interior of the recent C4 hatchback. We'd expect a similar infotainment setup to feature, too.  

The spy shots come some time after a similarly proportioned concept car was shown at the 2016 Paris Motor Show, named the Cxperience. The car in our shots appears to share the show car's separated headlight and distinctive rear-light designs.

Citroen, much like other manufacturers, is steadily electrifying its range and exploring new electric models. The Citroen ami quadricycle may still come to the UK, while the e-C4 is the latest pure-electric effort from the French brand. 

Meanwhile, PSA's sister brand DS is gearing up to launch four new electrified models by the end of 2022, including the DS 9 luxury saloon – which itself could share many mechanical parts with Citroen's new car.