The electrified Citroen C5 Aircross is as efficient as a RAV4 Hybrid
Citroen has unveiled a new electrified version of its C5 Aircross SUV, utilizing the same 48V mild hybrid system recently confirmed for the related Peugeot 3008.
The Citroen C5 Aircross Hybrid 136 2023 joins the existing petrol, diesel and plug-in hybrid versions of the French brand’s competitor Toyota RAV4 And Volkswagen Tiguanand introduces a new turbocharged petrol-electric hybrid system and dual-clutch transmission for the Citroen stable.
Like its Peugeot sibling, the C5 Aircross Hybrid combines a 1.2-litre, three-cylinder, 100 kW/230 Nm turbocharged petrol engine specially tuned for electrified applications with a 21 kW/55 Nm permanent magnet synchronous electric motor and 432 Wh (0.432kWh). 48V lithium-ion battery.
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The battery powers a belt starter that can quickly start the petrol engine when needed, while the electric motor, inverter and control unit are all integrated into a hybrid-optimized six-speed dual-clutch automatic – which the company says it offers. no torque interruption” and offers fast gear changes for a more comfortable driving.
The C5 Aircross Hybrid 136 complies with the Euro 6.4 emission standard and is said to be 15 percent (1.0 l/100 km) more efficient in the combined WLTP cycle than the PureTech 130 variant of the C5 Aircross Available abroad, which uses the 96 kW 1.2 liter turbocharged petrol engine used domestically Peugeot 308.
While this may seem like a minimal improvement, city traffic is seeing a 30 percent improvement, according to Citroen. There is also a 15 percent (-20g) reduction in CO2 emissions on the combined cycle, reported at 129g/km.
This CO2 figure equates to a combined fuel consumption of 5.56 l/100 km on the more stringent combined WLTP cycle, which is roughly the same as Toyota claims for European versions of the RAV4 Hybrid. Note – Australia uses the milder NEDC cycle for fuel economy, which is why local versions of the RAV4 Hybrid claim 4.8-4.9 l/100km.
Unlike most 48V “mild” hybrids, the C5 Aircross offers electric propulsion, with the French brand doing about 50 percent of city driving in electric mode.
The hybrid system can contribute 9 kW to the system performance even under heavy acceleration. To determine when the vehicle is in 100% electric mode, the tachometer in the Driver Display turns blue instead of white.
The new C5 Aircross 48V Hybrid is the second electrified variant in the European model range of the revised SUV and thus joins the range of plug-in hybrid versions (PHEV) which, according to Citroen, already account for 40 percent of the total sales of this brand.
As for the Australian prospects of the new powertrain, a spokesman for Peugeot Citroen Australia told CarExpert: “While there is currently no information on the ground on the new mild hybrid C5 Aircross, as with any new model we will continue to work closely with the factory to assess suitability for launch in the Australian market.”
The local arm of the brand has just launched the facelifted C5 Aircross in Australia, which has been pared down to a single variant compared to the previous model’s two-pronged strategy.
Starting at US$54,990 plus road cost, the 2023 Citroen C5 Aircross Sport features a range of improvements beyond its fresh looks, upgraded powertrain, more features and significantly upgraded technology compared to the outdated version that has since been seen in Australia was offered for sale in 2019.
The French brand’s updated mid-size SUV will take on the similar Peugeot 3008 as well as a litany of better-known competitors in the mid-size SUV segment, including the Toyota RAV4, Mazda CX-5 And Volkswagen Tiguan.
Citroen’s price positioning places the C5 Aircross in comparison to the high-spec versions of its Asian rivals and between the base Allure and mid-spec GT versions of its aforementioned 3008 platformmate.
The Citroen C5 Aircross Hybrid 136 will be available to order in Europe “soon” with first deliveries in the region due to start in the second half of 2023.
Unlike Peugeot, which has confirmed the introduction of the new powertrain across its wider range in the future, Citroen has not confirmed whether its 48V hybrid powertrain will be available in other vehicles in its range like this C3, C4 And C5 X.
MORE: Test report on the Citroen C5 Aircross 2023MORE: Everything Citroen C5 Aircross
