Citroen claims the new hybrid technology improves fuel efficiency by up to 30 per cent
Mild hybrid tech has been added to the Citroen C5 Aircross range with the launch of the new Hybrid 136. Don’t go looking for any unique badging to signify the new powertrain however as it looks identical to the rest of the range, but it means the French brand’s largest SUV is now available in mild-hybrid, plug-in hybrid, diesel and petrol form.
The mild-hybrid powertrain is made up from the same 1.2-litre, three-cylinder PureTech petrol unit as the regular petrol model, although Citroen says 40 per cent of the parts are new to allow for hybridisation. The hybrid technology consists of a 48V battery that sends power to an electric motor with 12bhp and 55Nm of torque. Combined, the hybrid system has a total output of 135bhp and 230Nm of torque – an increase of 6bhp over the non-hybrid petrol.
Mated to the powertrain is a new six-speed dual-clutch gearbox specifically designed for hybrid use, Citroen claims the transmission delivers smoother gear changes. Inside, the digital display has been tweaked to show information about the hybrid system such as battery charge level, energy flow and a tachometer to highlight when the car is running 100 per cent electric power.
The biggest difference Hybrid 136 owners should find is the improved fuel economy. Citroen says there’s 15 per cent in fuel savings over the PureTech 130 automatic petrol, suggesting a fuel efficiency figure of around 49.2mpg. On the combined cycle, it produces 129g/km of CO2, compared to 148g/km for the PureTech 130.
Citroen says the C5 Aircross Hybrid 136 will be ‘priced similarly to an equivalent C5 Aircross diesel model’, which means it could start from around £30,415 when it goes on sale in June.
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Keyword: New Citroen C5 Aircross Hybrid 136 added to line up