Arrival of PHEV C5 Aircross times with interesting news from France.

AN electric route forged by Peugeot and more recently adopted by Opel product has now been taken by the third sister brand, Citroen, with announcement of local sale of a battery-supported car.

Local announcement of the C5 Aircross being available from next month with a plug-in hybrid drivetrain, for $79,990 – a price that allows it squeak into EV rebate eligibility by $10 – times with news from France about this variant having undergone a further revision that improves the range and efficiencies quoted for the NZ market product.

It is not clear when, or even if, the further-updated version of a freshly facelifted car will land to supplement or usurp the derivative that is already cemented for NZ circulation, as an alternate to a $21,000 cheaper C5 Aircross offering in pure combustion-engined form.

The pure petrol and PHEV models offer with the same Shine designation, and run an eight-speed transmission and a 1.6-petrol engine. The ICE car makes 133kW, whereas the PHEV puts out 165kW, when both fossil fuel and electric systems engage.

The cheaper car also achieves rebate eligibility, with $1201 snipped off the sticker – but the PHEV through earning a better Green score still lines up for more Clean Car dollars.

It is eligible for a $5750 Government cheque according to Citroen’s distributor, ADNZ, which also holds rights to Peugeot and Opel product sharing the same platforms and technology as the double chevron-badged cars.

The NZ-market PHEV model is claimed to offer 47 kilometres’ electric operation.

That is improved to 64km in the Europe-market update announced just last week; power is also up. Citroen head office cites software revisions and adoption of a more advanced battery as being the reasons for the step up.

Citroen NZ’s commercial manager, Arek Zywot, believes the PHEV as it presents here will be hugely beneficial. He says the pre-facelift C5 Aircross showcased the brand’s savoir-faire and attention to detail on comfort.

This one raises the benchmark by adopting “… a more assertive and dynamic style while remaining true to Citroën’s unique brand DNA of design, comfort and innovation.”

“This New C5 Aircross is truly the ultimate comfort-class SUV, especially in plug-in hybrid.”

The NZ-market newbies have a revised frontal styling, with an LED lightning signature, while the cabin adopts a 12.3 inch digital instrument panel and 10-inch HD touchscreen.

Citroen contends the larger screen improves ergonomics by being positioned higher on the dashboard and offering direct access to vehicle functions, including driver assistance features. The seats have also been redesigned, an meted more padding, for greater comfort.

Zywot contends Aircross is the only sports utility in its segment to offer three individually sliding, reclining and folding same-size rear seats.

He says it won’t be long before more electric-involved Citroens arrive.

“Citroën has big aspirations for the brand in New Zealand with the rapid electrification of the line-up from now on. This (car) is just the start with more electrified, fuel-efficient and clean-car eligible models to follow.”