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July 30, 2021
The magic carpet ride remains, even with electrification — A test drive of the Citroën C5 Aircross PHEV | Citroën
Citroën C5 AIRCROSS | CITROËN C5 Aircross
The magic carpet ride remains, even with electrification — A test drive of the Citroën C5 Aircross PHEV
The C5 Aircross, Citroën's current high-end model, now has a PHEV variant. To ascertain its true value, we took it for a test drive in Karuizawa.
Text by Kazuhiro Nanyo | Photographs by Hirohiko Mochizuki
What is the quality of comfort that Citroën has always offered?
There is perhaps no other car manufacturer that expects as much comfort from its drivers as Citroën. This is even more true for the C5 Aircross, the SUV that represents the high-end of its current lineup. We were fortunate enough to test drive its latest iteration, the PHEV version, amidst the fresh greenery of Karuizawa.
While comfort is often mentioned, it is not necessarily tied to luxurious appointments, opulence, or an almost neurotic level of refinement. Cosmetic aspects and the essence of comfort are rather distinct. The quality of comfort that Citroën has always provided is better represented by the concept of 'la vie à bord' in its home country of France. Literally translated as 'life (standard) on board,' 'vie,' which corresponds to 'life' in English, also refers to life itself, not just daily living. This encompasses not only narrow comfort, underpinned by low NVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness), but also the atmosphere within the cabin during the drive and the very experience of living for each occupant during the journey.
With its PHEV conversion, the C5 Aircross has actively incorporated the near-silent and vibration-free realm of electric motor drive into its dynamic refinement. Although it shares its platform and PHEV components with the Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4, its tuning is considerably different. The 110ps motor is paired with the front axle, similar to the 180ps 1.6-liter turbo. This means that while the 13.2kWh lithium-ion battery is mounted near the rear axle beneath the rear seats, it is purely a front-wheel-drive vehicle. The e-EAT8, an 8-speed automatic transmission with a wet multi-plate clutch rather than a torque converter, switches between electric and internal combustion power, or engages both.
As long as there is battery charge, the default driving mode upon starting is 'Electric.' It transitions to 'Hybrid' as needed, but for a European C-segment compact SUV around 4.5 meters long, the PHEV, equipped with a substantial 13.2kWh battery, actively attempts to run on electric power alone up to 135 km/h. This is close to the speed limit of 130 km/h on French highways. Assuming departure from a charging point, it aims to cover as wide a range as possible with electric propulsion. Citroën states the electric-only range is 65 km.
Consequently, while leveraging its ample 320Nm of torque, it behaves almost entirely as an EV in urban driving. Furthermore, the interior, softly enveloped by the thick seat cushions called Advanced Comfort, even gives the impression of being an extension of one's living room. The suspension employs Progressive Hydraulic Cushions (PHC), dampers with dual-stage damping, providing exceptionally smooth absorption when traversing bumps and joints.
Thus, a smooth and soft ride is sustained along with the quietness of the cabin, free from engine noise and vibration. But it's not just about being quiet and comfortable. The interior visibility and the light flooding in through the panoramic sunroof create an open and bright atmosphere. Moreover, the visual information, including the nappa leather-trimmed interior, is generally rich.