Citroen C5 Aircross plugs in

Citroen has confirmed it will launch its first ever plug-in hybrid vehicle next month at the Paris motor show via a new concept based on the forthcoming C5 Aircross.

Thought to be close to production and due for global release in 2019, the C5 Aircross SUV Hybrid Concept is distinguished from the standard model by its blue painted Airbumps and 19-inch anthracite alloys wheels.

More importantly, the concept is the first application of the French car-maker's all-new plug-in technology that's set to be rolled out to other models based on PSA's EMP2 platform, including the DS 7 Crossback and Peugeot's 508 sedan.

Citroen hasn't confirmed the exact details of its plug-in hybrid powertrain but says it consists of a 132kW 1.2-litre PureTech turbo-petrol engine, an 80kW electric motor, a 13.2kWh lithium-ion battery and an eight-speed automatic gearbox.

Combined, total output is 166kW, and the C5 Aircross PHEV offers a pure-electric range of 50km at speeds of up to 135km/h.

Perhaps most impressive is that Citroen claims the plug-in tech makes the C5 Aircross 40 per cent more efficient compared to its petrol siblings, with the hybrid capable of consuming just 2.0L/100km while emitting less than 50g/km of CO2.

Charging time, the bugbear of plug-in vehicles, has been reduced to just two hours for a full-charge using the car-maker's new 32A wall box that buyers will be offered to purchase or hire.

It's not known if the hybrid will eventually be part of the C5 Aircross line-up when the French SUV arrives in local showrooms sometime next year.

However, the regular Citroen C5 Aircross is expected to arrive in Australia in 2019 as part of the French brand’s relaunch Down Under.

“Citroen C5 Aircross has not been confirmed for Australia yet, but we’re getting pretty close to getting an answer out of our French counterparts,” said Tyson Bowen, Citroen Australia’s corporate affairs manager.

“Primary to what we want to do is get approval on the C5 Aircross, then we would have to evaluate other drivetrains.

“We haven’t had any plug-in hybrid models in the past. It’s about the market appetite and business case,” he said.

At present the Citroen C3 hatch will continue to be sold in Australia, with the new C3 Aircross crossover coming in 2019 and more models such as the C5 Aircross to be released in due course.

Citroen has struggled to find its place in the overcrowded Australian marketplace but the company is confident of a product-led revival with appealing new vehicles.

Citroen has sold 337 vehicles thus far in 2018, which is miniscule compared to fellow French brands Renault and Peugeot that have managed 6940 and 1838 sales respectively.

Citroen has also announced it will use the Paris show to celebrate its centenary and the 70th anniversary of the 2CV.