A subtle hint at an upcoming production model.
French marque Citroen are preparing to introduce a plug-in hybrid version of its new C5 Aircross SUV, and they’ll be previewing the new model with a concept car that’ll bow in at the upcoming Paris motorshow. It’ll bear a distinctive exterior finish with striking graphics that you’d expect to see from a concept car but otherwise, it’ll be very close to production-ready.
The Citroen C5 Aircross Hybrid will eventually go into production with a 167kW/338Nm plug-in hybrid powertrain, though power will only go to the front wheels (unlike the hybrid DS7 Crossback that uses the electric motor to power the rear wheels). The concept car will tout an electric-only driving range of about 50km, with maximum speed capped at 130km/h.
The French company claims that the C5 Aircross Hybrid will be capable of a sub-50g/km CO2 figure, and fuel economy rated at about 2L/100km. This is helped in no small part by an energy-recuperation system in the brakes, which alone contributes to a 10% improvement in overall fuel efficiency; As a whole, the C5 Aircross Hybrid will be able to tout a 40% improvement over the standard internal-combustion version. Oh, and you’ll be able to fully recharge the batteries from flat in just 2-hours using a 32A wall charger.
Thanks to packaging wizardry, the C5 Aircross Hybrid won’t offer up practicality in the name of environmentalism or efficiency, as the batteries that power the car will be stowed under the floor in the passenger compartment, rather than under the boot floor.
The C5 Aircross Hybrid we’ll see next month may just be a concept car but it’ll preview a car that’ll be in production sooner than you think. While the powertrain will be a first for Citroen, they’ve already developed several drive modes that allow drivers to maximise the capability of the drivetrain: There’ll be Zero-Emissions Vehicle (or ZEV), Hybrid (which moves between using the engine and the motors depending on what’s best), and Sport (which maximises output in favour of driver engagement).
2019 will mark 100-years of Citroen, and the 70th birthday of the 2CV. Autocar says that to mark the occasion, Citroen will be decking out their Paris motor show stand (where the Citroen C5 Aircross Hybrid Concept will debut) with homages to fashion- and art-cars, in addition to its current range and preview models. Should be fun.
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