The Citroën C5 Aircross Hybrid 136 arrives, the mild hybrid with 48-volt technology

The range of the Citroën C5 Aircross welcomes a version of the model, which this time is based on a hybrid system. It uses a new combination of a combustion engine and an electric motor, powered by the energy stored in a 48-volt battery. This battery gains its energy during some of the driving phases, recovering energy so that it can be used when needed.

At the heart of this model is the 136 CV Pure Tech 1.2 engine, which works together with a 21 kW electric motor, equivalent to 28 CV. The drivetrain is completed by an ë-DCS6 automatic gearbox. All these elements together ensure that the vehicle’s behaviour is very smooth and that it can be driven with calm and comfort.

The petrol engine operates as usual, but the driver can choose electric driving on urban journeys, where around 50% of such trips can be made in electric mode. This means no polluting gases are emitted during those journeys. But if the battery runs out or more power is needed, the electric motor can assist the combustion engine. At that point, both consumption and emissions are reduced, making the model more sustainable and less polluting than a similar model with only a combustion engine.

The journeys that can be made at low speed, some manoeuvres and deceleration are the moments when the electric motor delivers its greatest efficiency. When deceleration occurs, the motor serves to generate electricity, which is stored in the 48-volt battery for later use. This battery has a capacity of 432 Wh, so it is not capable of offering much functionality, beyond those specific moments when not much power is needed.

The important point is that this battery can supply energy to power the car’s electronic components, so it operates in parallel with the main battery. As for the electric motor, the ECU and the inverter are integrated into the ë-DCS6 gearbox. In this way, a substantial improvement in its responsiveness is achieved, gaining comfort and efficiency in driving.

Like all hybrid models, the new Citroën C5 Aircross Hybrid 136 has a space in the instrument cluster dedicated to the battery status and engine use. In this way, the driver can see all the data related to electric driving at a glance without taking their eyes off the road.