Twins: Three months after the launch of the new Opel Frontera in Israel, its French twin, the new Citroën Aircross, has also arrived in the country. Both will be sold in the showrooms of the importer, Lubinski, and are manufactured side by side at the Stellantis group plant in Slovakia.
Like the Frontera, the new Aircross will be sold in a 5-seater version for NIS 145,000 and in a 7-seater version with a third row of seats for NIS 157,000. The French model is slightly longer (4.395 meters), but maintains the same width (1.79 meters) and height (1.66 meters). The wheelbase is also identical, at 2.67 meters.
Apart from the front and the badge, the design is the same, and in Citroën it is also possible to get a two-tone paint, with a white or black roof, for an additional NIS 1,900.
Cargo space figures are also identical: 460 liters in the 5-seater model, 330 liters in the 7-seater model with the third row folded, and 40 liters when all 7 seats are in use.
Equipment is the same: 10.25-inch multimedia screen, digital instrument panel, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, wireless phone charging, four USB charging ports, two V12 ports, rearview camera, front and rear parking sensors, 17-inch wheels, front and rear LED lights, rain and light sensors, and more. The driver’s environment design is different, as instead of a pair of side-by-side screens, the Citroën places the multimedia screen in the center, with a narrow, long, and taller instrument panel than in the Opel.
The powertrain is also familiar: A 1.2-liter turbo gasoline engine with a timing chain instead of the worn-out belt in the previous model, paired with an electric motor, delivering a combined output of 145 hp and 23.4 kg·m of torque. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h takes 8.8 seconds, the top speed is 188 km/h, and the official combined fuel consumption is 18.2 km per liter.
Safety equipment includes 6 airbags (with front passenger airbag deactivation), autonomous emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot warning, driver alert warning, but no adaptive cruise control.
However, the Citroën has two important advantages: 5 years of warranty or 120,000 km, instead of 4 years with the same mileage in the Opel (and a 5-year or 120,000 km battery warranty). Service intervals are set at 15,000 km or one year, whichever comes first. In addition, the new C3 Aircross is equipped with progressive suspension, providing improved comfort.
The Citroën and Opel will continue to be the cheapest 7-seater cars in the country: Next in line, the Dacia Jogger costs NIS 175,000, but it is a full hybrid and more spacious. The Chery Tiggo 8 with 7 seats, a 1.6-liter turbo gasoline engine, starts at NIS 185,000.