Forgot to Lock the Car? No Longer a Problem for Drivers in China

© citroen.cn

Dongfeng Citroen has updated the Versailles C5 X and added a digital key. For owners this is more than a trendy app feature — it is a set of everyday scenarios that save time: unlock the car with your phone, cool the cabin in advance, check the locks or find the car in a parking lot.

The system works across three channels at once — Bluetooth, NFC and 4G. From a smartphone you can unlock the car, start the engine, switch on the climate control remotely, open or close the doors, and view the location and trip history. If the car is parked in a large lot, the app sets off the horn and flashes the headlights.

A separately handy part is sharing the digital key. Access can be sent to a relative or friend through the app, with a time limit attached. For a family this removes the old problem of having a single physical key: no need to meet up, hand over a fob or worry that someone is left without the car.

The C5 X itself keeps the «three cars in one» idea: a liftback, an estate and a touch of crossover. The boot holds 545 litres, up to 1640 litres with the rear seats folded, and ground clearance reaches 193 mm unladen. That is enough for the city, weekend trips and light rough roads without the feeling of an ordinary low-slung sedan.

To mark the brand’s 34th anniversary in China, the model is offered from 113,700 yuan — about $15,700. The digital key is free for new buyers until May 31, while owners of earlier C5 X cars can buy it on promotion for 799 yuan. Sometimes the most noticeable upgrade to a car is not the engine — it is no longer having to dig for the key in your pockets.