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It seems like the jacked-up estate car segment is heating up. Joining the fray is the new Citroen C5 CrossTourer, a version of the C5 Tourer estate built to compete with cars like the Skoda Octavia Scout – although unlike the Czech car the Citroen does not have four-wheel drive.

Exterior changes include black plastic cladding around the wheelarches, brushed aluminium guards on the front and rear bumpers and chrome-plated side mirrors. Matte grey 18-inch "diamond-effect" wheels are fitted as standard.

Changes in the interior are limited to "CrossTourer" logos embroidered into the carpets, but Citroen has also thrown in a massaging driver's seat with electric lumbar adjustment and a full leather upholstery as standard.

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Under the skin, the ride height has been increased by 15 mm. The optional Hydractive III+ suspension – available on all models bar the HDI 115 manual and the e-HDI 115 AirDream EGS6 – goes even higher, raising by as much as 6 cm at speeds under 10 km/h and 4 cm under 40 km/h for improved clearance. Above that, the aforementioned 15 mm higher ride height is kept up to 70 km/h, beyond which it lowers to cut drag.

The Citroen C5 CrossTourer will be available with all of the regular C5's diesel engines, ranging from 115 to 200 bhp. Two trim levels are on offer – the base Millennium and the top-spec Exclusive.

The estate is part of the French manufacturer's lineup making their debut at the Geneva Motor Show next month. The show marks the world premiere of the C4 Cactus, as well as the new Citroen C1 (a city car based on the Peugeot 108 and Toyota Aygo also being unveiled at Geneva) of which we'll get a look at closer to the show. Meanwhile, making its first appearance in Europe is the DS 5LS executive sedan.