Citroën announced today that it has added a new powertrain option for the C5 Aircross and improved the range for existing versions of both the C5 X and C5 Aircross plug-in hybrid by 15 percent.
To start, the C5 Aircross gets a brand-new plug-in hybrid drivetrain option called the 180 e-EAT8. It replaces the PureTech 180 internal combustion model and combines a 1.6-liter engine with a single electric motor. Together, they combine to make 180 hp (134 kW/182 PS) and 265 lb-ft (360 Nm) of torque.
The electric motor, though, can produce up to 109 hp (81 kW/110 PS) on its own. That means that it’s capable of propelling the car up to 135 km/h (84 mph) or, in other words, highway speeds. And thanks to its 12.4 kWh battery pack, the C5 Aircross 180 e-EAT8 can go up to 58 km (36 miles) on electric power alone.
Read: Watch The Citroen C5 X’s Advanced Comfort Active Suspension In Action
With a battery that can be powered in as little as 1 hour and 45 minutes on a 7.4 kW charger, Citroën suggests that, if owners can charge at home and at their office, they can complete their entire daily commute on electric power alone. The new model is offered at a starting price of €43,650 ($42,563 USD at current exchange rates).
The existing 225 e-EAT8 plug-in hybrid powertrain, meanwhile, has been improved for both the C5 Aircross SUV and the C5 X. Both will now get added range thanks to a new generation of battery. New chemistry improves its power capacity from 13.2 kWh to 14.2 kWh, despite having the same number of cells.
The result is a 15 percent increase in driving range for both models. That means that the C5 X now gets 63 km (39 miles) of all-electric range instead of 55 km (34 miles) and the C5 Aircross has 64 km (40 miles) of all-electric range, up from 55 km (34 miles).
Power figures remain unchanged for the powertrain, which also combines a 1.6-liter engine with a single electric motor. It will continue to make 225 hp (168 kW/228 PS) in both vehicles.
