Citroen has increased the range of plug-in hybrids by 15 percent. The upgraded traction battery with an increased capacity of 14.2 kilowatt-hours went to the C5 Aircross crossover and the C5 X cross-liftback. Both added autonomy without activating the internal combustion engine: the C5 Aircross had an electric range increased from 55 to 64 kilometers, the C5 X – from 55 to 63 kilometers. In addition, a cheaper “junior” C5 Aircross hybrid was added to the range.
European buyers of Citroen have waited for the expansion and updating of the range: now the C5 Aircross lineup has a simplified plug-in hybrid with 180 horsepower and 360 Nm of torque. The starting price of the novelty is 43,650 euros, 6.5 percent less than the top version.
The fundamental design is the same as that of the “older” 224-horsepower modification, however, for the sake of cost reduction, the bet was made on an old battery with a capacity of 12.4 kilowatt-hours, so the mileage without activating the internal combustion engine is 58 kilometers.
Citroen notes that the next-generation traction battery in its most expensive C5 X and C5 Aircross hybrids will reduce charging times. From a device with a capacity of 7.4 kilowatts, the battery can be fully charged in 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Citroen has been promoting plug-in hybrids for a long time: it is the gasoline-electric version that has the ultra-luxury Opera Premiere equipment of the DS 9 business sedan, and French President Emmanuel Macron uses “socket” service crossovers.