The new Citroën C5 Aircross Hybrid was introduced last year as a prototype, but now, with the date of sale months away, the French brand is putting forward concrete numbers on what will be its first plug-in hybrid.
The new version of the French SUV marries a 180hp PureTech 1.6 internal combustion engine with an 80kW electric motor (109hp) positioned between the combustion engine and the eight-speed automatic transmission (ë-EAT8).
Unlike the cousins Peugeot 3008 GT HYBRID4 and Opel Grandland X Hybrid4, the C5 Aircross Hybrid has no four-wheel drive, dispensing with the second electric motor mounted on the rear axle, remaining only as front wheel drive.
Therefore, the potency is also lower — about 225 hp of maximum combined power (and 320 Nm of maximum torque) against the 300 hp of the other two. However, it is still the most powerful of the C5 Aircross so far available.
Up to 50 km of electric autonomy
No data were put forward regarding the benefits, with the brand showing, instead, its ability to move around using only electronics. The maximum autonomy in 100% electric mode is 50 km (WLTP), and allows to circulate in this way up to 135 km/h.
The energy that the electric motor needs comes from a Li-ion battery with 13.2 kWh capacity , positioned under the rear seats — retains the three individual rear seats, and the ability to move them lengthwise and tilt your back. However, the boot has been reduced by 120 l, now ranging from 460 l to 600 l (depending on the position of the rear seats) — a still generous figure.
Note that the battery is guaranteed for eight years or 160,000 km for 70% of its capacity.
As usual with plug-in hybrids, the new Citroën C5 Aircross Hybrid is also announced with very low consumption and CO2 emissions: 1.7 l/100 km and 39 g/km, respectively — provisional data with final confirmation, after certification, to come before the end of the year.
Loadings
When plugged into a household outlet, the new Citroën C5 Aircross Hybrid can be fully charged in seven hours, with that figure dropping to less than two hours in a 32 amp wall box with a 7.4 kW charger.
The new ë-EAT8 box adds a mode Brake which allows you to amplify the deceleration, allowing you to recover more energy during periods of braking and deceleration, which in turn charge the battery and allow you to extend the electrical autonomy.
There is also a way ë-Save , which allows you to reserve electrical energy from the batteries for later use — for 10 km, 20 km, or even when the battery is full.
And more?
The new Citroën C5 Aircross Hybrid also distinguishes itself from the other C5 Aircross through some details, such as the inscription “ḧybrid” on the rear or a simple “ḧ” on the side.
Exclusive is also a new color pack, called Anodised Blue (anodized blue), which we see applied to certain elements, such as in Airbumps, bringing the number of chromatic combinations available to 39.
Inside, the highlight is the frameless electrochromic rearview mirror, exclusive to this version. It has a blue indicator light that lights up when we travel in electric mode, being visible from the outside. It allows easier access to the increasingly numerous areas with restricted access to vehicles with internal combustion engines in the main urban centers.
Also the interfaces of the 12.3″ digital instrument panel and the 8″ touchscreen of the infotainment system are specific, presenting information specific to the plug-in hybrid. As well as having specific driving modes: Electric, Hybrid and Sport.
When arrives?
As already mentioned, the arrival of the new Citroën C5 Aircross Hybrid is scheduled for next spring, with prices not having been advanced.