Plug-in hybrid edition to join a fossil fuel-reliant variant.

KIWIS will have opportunity to buy into a facelifted range of Citroen’s crossover-themed C5 Aircross medium model, with two variants heading this way this year.

Hours on from the cars’ international unveiling the rights holder here, Auto Distributors NZ, had confirmed it will take a conventional internal combustion engine derivative from around June, with a plug-in hybrid alternate arriving toward the end of 2022.

Specific details about the trims and pricing are not being released yet, and there has yet to be a full discussion about the powertrains.

The PHEV model has a 55 kilometres’ full electric range and its electric motor is in marriage with a 1.6-litre turbo petrol creating 168kW and 320Nm torque.

The model also delivers in Europe with a 1.2-litre turbocharged petrol unit and 1.5- and 2.0-litre turbodiesels.

In its home market the plug-in hybrid model will be compatible with a smartphone app through which owners will be able to monitor their charging and delay the process to avail of cheap night-time electricity rates. With a 7.3kW domestic wallbox, the battery can be recharged from empty in around two hours.

For its third production year the car achieves a more modern visage, lending greater similarity to the C4 and another model still in development, the C5 X.

The Citroen double-chevron badge is enlarged and set against black lacquer with chrome surrounds. Bigger, wider air intakes and air curtains give the Aircross a slightly more muscular look. It maintains the same 230mm ground clearance as the original.

The B-pillar is in black to lend impression of a floating roofline and there are Airbumps at the base of the doors that help prevent against car park nudges.

The rear lights have been revised too with dark, structured glass that, combined with the three LED light modules, give the taillights a three-dimensional effect.

The interior revision is extensive, with a 10-inch touchscreen now and improved infotainment interface. The digital driver display has been redesigned, the fascia reworked and a host of new material and colour options added.

Citroen says it has made the car’s armchair-like front seats more comfortable with the addition of an extra 15mm layer of memory foam. Seat heating and massage functions are available.

The back retains its three separate sliding and folding seats. In fully combustion engine editions, with the seats in their rearmost position, the boot swallows a respectable 580 litres of luggage; with all the seats slid forward that expands to 720 litres. With its 13.2kWh battery in the rear, the hybrid version's dimensions reduce to 460 litres and 600 litres, respectively.

Driver assistance systems include Highway Driver Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go functionality and an active lane departure warning system.