Citroen is far from the first brand to spring to mind when it comes to fleet sector offerings, although the double chevron brand has ventured tentatively into this segment before. Citroen’s time is not quite yet, but it maybe closer than most might think.
This can be seen in the first of Citroen’s plug-in hybrids to arrive in New Zealand in the form of its hero SUV, the C5 Aircross.
Citroen’s most impressive vehicle, the C5 Aircross could have survived as an ICE-powered vehicle, and no one would have questioned it.
The PHEV technology in the 2023 model however, signals Citroen’s intent to be taken seriously as a mainstream brand and it may be that some will find what it has to offer a worthy answer to a specific fleet question.
While the trump card of the C5 as a passenger vehicle is comfort to the 10th power, as a fleet proposition – and yes, we are drawing a long bow – the C5 ‘s USP is versatility, as seen in the incredibly comfortable seats of the C5 Aircross.
While it is a five (adult) seater, the C5’s three individual rear seats, each with a 150mm sliding, reclining, and folding function, intriguingly offer a 40/20/40 split. Couple this with a double floored cargo space and the C5’s versatility becomes immediately obvious.
Dimensionally, the C5 Aircross is clever with a higher-than-expected roofline, semi-cubic body – admittedly with flair only a French automaker can deliver – allowing any shape and most sizes of cargo to be carried effectively. Oh, and comfortably too.
And that brings us to the other high point of the C5 Aircross hybrid: the combination of ultra refined seats and an equally refined – and technically advanced – suspension.
Citroen is synonymous with sophisticated suspension and the C5 is an awesome demonstration of this.
Underpinning the eminently practical body is what Citroen calls Progressive Hydraulic Cushion (PHC) suspension, which in a non-technical nutshell, mitigates the jolting of a rebounding shock absorber after it has done its work.
Smooth over the bump, smooth after the bump and flat cornering to boot, despite the C5’s prodigious size, which allows for a very refined, comprehensively and contemporarily equipped cabin.
Under the bonnet are the beating twin hearts of the C5 Aircross.
It starts with the impressive Puretech 180 turbocharged petrol engine, common to Citroen and Peugeot vehicles and which is well regarded as an impressive powerplant.
Alongside the petrol engine is the 80kW electric motor which takes its ‘leccy juice from a 13.2kWh lithium-ion battery. The battery is good for around 45km of pure electric running.
Once you are moving, you can choose what drive mode you want to use: Sport gives you the power of both petrol and electric, hybrid – where the C5 works out what motive power is required, or 100 percent pure electric for those 45kms.
And happily, the battery takes about two hours to charge on a 7.4kWh charge station or seven hours on a regular house socket. Rapid DC charging is not available.
Which about covers the petrol/electric/battery combination, what about the rest? The C5 Aircross is lavishly equipped when it comes to safety features.
The basic level of ANCAP requirements are on-board with the addition of lane keeping assist, forward collision warning, active emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, speed limit recognition and tyre pressure monitoring with more besides.
Add to that the advanced comfort front seats, voice recognition, paddle shifters for gear selection, a 10-inch touchscreen with 3D navigation the full suite of audio systems and specialised screens for electric monitoring and functionality.
The front office does not have the i-Cockpit arrangement of Citroen’s mon ami Peugeot, but instead delivers a formally well balanced and even design, in keeping with the practically modular interior.
And throughout – there’s the class and refinement of the interior which reflects the sophistication inherent in a Shine specified Citroen.
