Citroen has already built a hybrid car once (the 2011 DS5 Hybrid4), but today, the company said it wanted to produce PHEV versions of its entire range, starting with this C5 Aircross Hybrid.
On the outside, the SUV looks identical to its gas-chugging variant, save for the occasional blueish trim accents and the badges. Technically, it lies closest to the DS 7 Crossback and the Peugeot 3008, although with slightly less power and front drive only. The powertrain consists a 1.6-liter turbo-four engine (180 hp / 134 kW), a starter/generator, and a single electric motor with 110 hp (82 kW) built into the eight-speed automatic transmission, which has traded its hydraulic torque converter for a wet friction coupling system. Rated at 225 hp (168 kW) and 320 Nm (238 lb-ft), the Aircross Hybrid tops the C5 range in terms of power.
Equipped with a 13.2-kWh battery, the SUV has 50 km (31 miles) of all-electric range, although the speed is capped at 135 km/h (84 mph) in this mode. Average fuel consumption is estimated at 1.7 liters per 100 kilometers (UK: 166 miles per gallon; USA: 138 MPG). Topping it up using the dedicated charging device takes less than two hours, and you can enable a special Power Conservation mode to extend the range when needed.
Despite the fact that the battery sits under the rear seats and not in the trunk itself, the trunk size still goes down from 580 – 720 liters to 460 – 600.
Production will soon begin in Rennes – La Janais, France, and the first cars will hit the showrooms next summer priced from €39,950.