Category Archives: Citreon

CITROËN INTRODUCES C5 AIRCROSS HYBRID 136: A NEW AND ACCESSIBLE ELECTRIFIED OFFERING WITH NO RE-CHARGING REQUIRED

  • New Hybrid 136 powertrain adds 48V hybrid technology to C5 Aircross line-up.
  • C5 Aircross Hybrid 136 features a specially designed PureTech petrol engine, a new electrified dual-clutch ë-DCS6 gearbox, and a 21kW electric motor.
  • Powertrain offers electric-only driving for use in urban areas, helping to reduce local emissions.
  • Addition of 48V hybrid technology improves fuel economy by up to 30% in urban use.
  • UK order books for C5 Aircross Hybrid 136 open in June, with first deliveries expected in July.

 

Citroën has revealed a new electrified powertrain option for C5 Aircross – the efficient Hybrid 136. Based on the latest compact and lightweight hybrid technology, this new powertrain features a 48V battery pack that re-charges in use, a 136hp PureTech petrol engine that has been specially designed to accommodate the new hybrid system, coupled to a new electrified dual-clutch ë-DCS6 gearbox and a 21kW electric motor.

 

Emitting only 129g of CO2/km according to the combined WLTP cycle, C5 Aircross Hybrid 136 emits 15% less CO2 than the equivalent non-electrified petrol C5 Aircross derivative.

 

Priced similarly to an equivalent C5 Aircross diesel model, C5 Aircross Hybrid 136 emits almost 12% less CO2 than the diesel-powered version.

 

C5 Aircross Hybrid 136 enhances the C5 Aircross electrified range, which also includes the Plug-in Hybrid 225.

 

Most importantly, the introduction of C5 Aircross Hybrid 136 accelerates Citroën’s electrification strategy. The Citroën electrified range is now made up of 10 models: from Hybrid 136 to 100% electric, alongside Plug-in Hybrid, from Ami to New C5 X, and from passenger cars to commercial vehicles, each new introduction with the aim of offering a powertrain that meets customer needs.

 

THE NEW 48V HYBRID TECHNOLOGY IN DETAIL

 

The new 48V hybrid technology allows for either mixed or 100% electric driving. The lightweight and compact hybrid technology is based upon:

 

  • A new-generation 1.2 PureTech petrol engine, specially developed for hybridisation (40% of the parts are new), with three cylinders and 1199cc, delivering 136hp (100kW) at 5500 rpm and torque of 230Nm at 1750 rpm.
  • The choice of a variable geometry turbocharger and timing chain contributes to the new powertrain’s performance and robustness. Complying with the Euro 6.4 standard, and operating in accordance with the Miller cycle, the engine also features improved thermal efficiency. 
  • The permanent-magnet synchronous electric motor can develop peak power of 21kW (28hp), and torque of 55Nm. It allows C5 Aircross to be driven on 100% electric power for low torque requirements, at low speeds, when manoeuvring or slowing down, and assists the petrol engine when starting. During deceleration, it acts as a generator to charge the battery, which reduces wear and tear of the brakes at the same time.
  • A belt starter, powered by the 48V on-board system, allows the petrol engine to start quickly and responsively.
  • A new electrified dual-clutch gearbox – ë-DCS6 – comes with a six-speed dual-clutch system with no torque break and is also specifically designed for hybrid systems. The gear changes are noticeably smoother, and the drive is more comfortable. The electric motor, the inverter and the ECU are all integrated, optimising space under the bonnet.
  • A 48V Lithium-Ion battery pack, with an available capacity of 432Wh, is installed under the left front seat, so there is no impact on boot size or interior space.
  • In addition, thanks to a voltage converter, part of the electricity produced by the 48V electric system is transformed into 12V power to supply the car’s on-board equipment. This way, two separate electrical networks can exist side-by-side.

 

C5 AIRCROSS HYBRID 136 Ë-DCS6: EASY ACCESS TO ELECTRIC MOBILITY

 

With this new hybrid powertrain, Citroën is offering a new electrified alternative that provides the comfort of purely electric driving, saves fuel, and reduces CO2 emissions.

 

C5 Aircross Hybrid 136 can be driven in electric mode for a limited distance in the city, or on short drives, or when manoeuvring. The 48V hybrid technology optimises the performance and fuel consumption of C5 Aircross, with average fuel savings of 15% compared with the PureTech 130 EAT8 automatic petrol versions. Efficiency is even greater when in urban areas, with average fuel savings of almost 30%.

 

The 48V hybrid powertrain also has a positive impact on CO2 emissions, with a reduction of up to 15% (20g) compared with the PureTech 130 S&S EAT8 petrol version. C5 Aircross Hybrid 136 achieves 129g of CO2/km according to the combined WLTP cycle.

 

The electric motor also delivers an additional 9kW (approximately 12hp), helping acceleration. As the battery re-charges automatically when the car decelerates, the new powertrain makes daily use more comfortable and will appeal to customers who want to experience driving in electric mode without the need to re-charge.

 

STILL THE BENCHMARK FOR ON-BOARD COMFORT

 

C5 Aircross Hybrid 136 ë-DCS6 keeps all the on-board comfort and features of C5 Aircross (Citroën Advanced Comfort® suspension and seats, space and modularity), along with all the customisation options customers expect, and the same high levels of equipment.

 

For further ease of use, the digital instrument panel has been upgraded with a specific display. Drivers have all the information they need about hybrid driving directly in front of their eyes. without the need to look away: 

 

–               Tachometer in blue to show 100% electric driving mode.

–               The energy flow of the hybrid powertrain.

–               Battery charge level.

–               Driving mode via a power meter (Charge, Eco, Power).

–               Percentage of distance travelled in electric mode, at any time, and on average.

 

 

NEW CITROËN MY AMI BUGGY UNVEILED: OPENS FOR ORDERS ON TUESDAY 20 JUNE IN THE UK

  • Limited run of 1,000 new My Ami Buggy quadricycles to go on sale in ten countries*, including the UK.
  • ‘My Ami Buggy II’ features rugged looks and colourful trim, as well as exclusive accessories.
  • Priced at £10,495 OTR, UK sales open online at 2.00pm on Tuesday 20 June.
  • Just 40 examples of the new ‘Limited Edition’ My Ami Buggy will be sold in the UK, available exclusively via the Citroën Ami website: https://www.citroen.co.uk/ami

 

Citroën has revealed a new version of My Ami Buggy, which will go on sale in the UK on 20 June at 2.00pm.  Based on the Citroën Ami 100% ëlectric quadricycle, 1,000 examples will be sold worldwide, with just 40 available to UK buyers. My Ami Buggy will be priced at £10,495 OTR.

 

The previous ‘Ultra-Limited Series’ My Ami Buggy, which was available in France last year, sold out all 50 units in under 18 minutes.

 

My Ami Buggy emits zero emissions in use and has a 5.4kWh battery that charges in four hours. With a range of up to 46 miles (WMTC**), and a top speed of 28mph, it is a modern solution that delivers on Citroën’s promise to provide affordable and clean mobility solutions for all.

 

My Ami Buggy features an adventurous spirit, trim for the great outdoors and fun accessories, such as the Khaki exterior colour, and black protective elements including reinforced bumpers, skid plates, headlamp surrounds, wheel arch extensions, and a rear spoiler – all of which combine to give a muscular appearance.

 

Yellow accents feature across the exterior and throughout the interior, demonstrating My Ami Buggy’s vitality and fun nature. Yellow flashes are embossed on the front panel, with yellow arrows on the wheel arches. Interior storage bins, door opening straps, bag hooks, and the carpet and seat stitching, also feature yellow accents. The new instrument cluster boats a rounded cover for a retro feel.

 

My Ami Buggy does not have traditional doors or a conventional sunroof. Instead, the driver and passenger can enjoy their leisure time and feel as close to nature as possible with a real sense of freedom. Removable plastic covers and a black waterproof fabric roof have been designed to protect occupants from the wind, cold and rain. When not required, the roof and door covers can be simply and easily rolled back, and secured with snap buttons, or they can be removed entirely.

 

The door and roof frames have been designed to integrate storage space for the roof and plastic weather protection – while also enhancing the style of My Ami Buggy. At the front, the roof frame has been extended to integrate a sun visor

 

The new My Ami Buggy also features an element from the acid yellow luggage range that was unveiled in December 2021 with the original My Ami Buggy concept. The yellow bag fits into the centre of the steering wheel and is held in place with clip-on straps – this provides a convenient storage space for personal belongings when on the move.

 

My Ami Buggy is also available with the Ultimate Ears Boom lightweight Bluetooth® speaker that fits into a specifically design space on the dashboard. The speaker is waterproof and sturdy with a 15-hour battery life for all your adventures in My Ami Buggy.

 

Greg Taylor, Managing Director at Citroën UK, said: “Following the fantastic success of the My Ami Buggy ‘Ultra-Limited Series’ in France in 2022, with all 50 units selling out in less than 18 minutes – and with the fastest customer completing the purchase of their My Ami Buggy in 2 minutes and 53 seconds – I am delighted that UK customers will also have the opportunity to buy a My Ami Buggy. Ami 100% ëlectric, My Ami Cargo, and My Ami Buggy are revolutionising urban mobility, with over 35,000 units sold worldwide to date. The growing line-up demonstrates our commitment to offering affordable electric mobility for all, and we’re doing so in the fun and innovative way that only Citroën can.”

 

My Ami Buggy goes on sale in the UK at 2.00pm on 20 June, exclusively at https://www.citroen.co.uk/ami

 

Since its launch in April 2020, Citroën Ami 100% ëlectric has been a standout success in the micro-mobility market. Ami is easy to drive because it is ultra-compact at 2.41 metres long. Electric power offers smooth and dynamic driving around town, and it can be charged in just 4 hours. Ami was created to be used by as many people as possible and by drivers of all ages. It can be driven just as easily by a 17-year-old as by a 77-year-old. It is also affordable and has a very low total cost of ownership.

 

* UK, France, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Greece, Portugal, Luxembourg, Morocco, and Turkey.

** World Motorcycle Test Cycle

 

 

CITROËN CELEBRATES 55 YEARS OF THE MÉHARI

  • Citroën is celebrating the 55th anniversary of the Méhari, revealed on 16 May 1968 at the Deauville golf course
  • Between 1968 and 1987, 144,953 units were produced, mainly at the Citroën factory in Forest, Belgium
  • This atypical, all-terrain and all-season vehicle was renowned for its modularity, practicality and economic benefits
  • The Méhari became an iconic model both for Citroën and more widely within the automotive world and enjoyed a diverse career which included film appearances and service with the French army
  • The Méhari shares this distinctive and leisure-oriented attitude with the Citroën C3 Pluriel, which will soon celebrate its 20th anniversary, and more recently with My Ami Buggy

 

Citroën is celebrating 55 years since the reveal of the Méhari, which was shown for the first time at the Deauville golf course on 16 May 1968.

 

The Méhari’s unusual pick-up design was built on a Dyane 6 platform, while the model produced between 28 and 32hp and featured an innovative ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) plastic body designed by Roland de La Poype.

 

During the Méhari’s almost 20 years in production between 1968 and 1987, 144,953 units were built (including 1,213 4×4 Méhari), making it a surprising success. The Méhari was mainly produced in the Citroën factory in Forest, Belgium, but also in seven other factories in France, Spain and Portugal.

 

AN ALL-TERRAIN AND ALL-SEASON VEHICLE

 

The Méhari’s name derives from the name given to dromedary camels in North Africa and the Sahara. These animals are known for their off-road ability, their resistance and their ability to transport both goods and passengers over long distances – making it a fitting name for a model known for its ability to adapt to all terrains.

 

From the outside, the Méhari doesn’t appear to be suitable for all seasons, as it looks more like a small convertible used during the summer holidays. Thanks to a winter cover, the car is completely sealed, turning it into a vehicle that can be used all year round.

 

PRACTICAL, MODULAR AND ECONOMICAL

 

The Méhari is highly modular, being able to transform part of its floor into a backrest, which allows it to add two seats at the rear and thus accommodate up to four passengers.

 

The body is made up of only 11 easily repairable parts and can be cleaned with a single blast of water both inside and outside. This makes the car easy to maintain and economical for its customers.

 

THREE UNIQUE VERSIONS

 

Although it was produced for almost 20 years, only three different versions of the Méhari were added to the range, including two limited editions.

 

In 1979, Citroën introduced a new variant of the Méhari with the 4×4 version. Then, in 1983, two special editions were launched. The first to be launched was the Méhari Plage, with its holiday look and bright yellow colour scheme, which was sold in Spain and Portugal. Finally, in April 1983 the Méhari Azur was launched in France, Italy and Portugal, limited to just 700 units.

 

A DIVERSE CAREER

 

The Méhari was a popular choice among organisations as varied as the police, customs, airports, racecourses and many others, but also appealed to shopkeepers, craftsmen and private individuals.

 

The model enjoyed a long career with the French army, which ordered a total of 11,457 Méhari between 1972 and 1987. The Méhari 4×4 also served as a medical assistance vehicle, with ten vehicles taking part in the 1980 Paris-Dakar Wheel alignment to provide medical support along the route.

 

Finally, the Méhari even appeared in films, most notably ‘Le Gendarme de Saint Tropez’ starring Louis de Funès.

 

TOTAL COST OF POTHOLE COMPENSATION COULD HAVE FILLED AN ADDITIONAL 340,000 POTHOLES LAST YEAR, FINDS CITROËN UK REPORT

  • Exclusive Citroën UK research reveals damage compensation paid to road users in 2022 could have filled an additional 340,000* potholes.
  • More than £22.7 million** was paid out in damage compensation last year.
  • Total compensation payments since 2017 could have filled more than 2.3m potholes***.
  • Since 2017, more than 1,100 people have been injured on roads in England and Wales, 355 ‘seriously’ and 16 ‘fatally’, due to a ‘defective road surface’.
  • Average lifespan of a UK road now stands at 116 years‡‡.
  • From 1 May – 30 June, Citroën UK is offering a Free Pothole Damage Inspection for Citroën owners, which covers damage caused to wheels, suspension, and tyres.

Go to: FREE Pothole Damage Inspection (citroen.co.uk)

 

Compensation payments made by local authorities in England and Wales, to road users who suffered damage to their cars due to poor road surfaces, could have paid for an additional 340,000 potholes to be filled in, according to exclusive research by Citroën UK.

 

Comparing Department for Transport as well as Asphalt Industry Alliance figures, Citroën found that in the last year, local authorities in England and Wales spent a total of £93.7m fixing over 1.4m potholes, at an average cost of £66.93 per repair‡‡. Over the same timeframe, total compensation claims of £22.7m were paid out to road users. These costs are made up of payouts equaling £11.6m, and staffing costs spent handling claims of £11.1m. The money used on compensation claims could have filled in an additional 340,000 potholes.

 

Since 2017, a total of £139.9m has been spent on damage compensation, which could have filled an additional 2.3m potholes. At the same time, between 2017 and 2021 (the most recent data available), police forces in England and Wales recorded 1,114 accidents on the roads that resulted in injury due to a ‘defective road surface’, with 355 people ‘seriously injured’ and 16 killed. Serious injuries are classed as those that require hospitalisation as an in-patient, including fractures, severe cuts, burns and internal injuries ††.

 

The research found a worsening picture on Britain’s roads. The frequency roads being resurfaced, on average, is now every 116 years, up 46 years from a lifespan of 70 years estimated in 2022. The average cost of filling a pothole rose to £66.93 in the latest data set, up from £63.18 the year before, and 300,000 fewer potholes were filled in compared the previous year. The one-time catch-up cost (the total cost of repairing roads back to a condition when the network can be managed cost effectively), now stands at £14.2bn – up from £12.64bn in 2022‡‡. In 2017, the one-time catch-up cost stood at £12.6bn – it dropped to £9.3bn in 2018, before gradually rising in the years since.

 

As part of its commitment to safety, driver well-being, comfort, and serenity, Citroën is offering a Free Pothole Damage Inspection for Citroën owners, including checks for damage caused to wheels, suspension, and tyres. The offer is available until 30 June at participating retailers.

 

The Free Pothole Damage Inspection includes checks on areas most commonly affected by poor road surfaces. Tyres are checked for damage, bulges, cuts, and tread depth. Wheels are checked for cracks and damage too. Key suspension components, such as coil springs and ball joints are also inspected. Retailers will also check tyre pressures and adjust these back to the recommended levels as part of the process. Where possible, retailers will also offer wheel alignment – at an additional cost.  

 

Many Citroën models – such as New C5 X – benefit from Citroën’s Advanced Comfort® Programme, with enhanced suspension and supportive seating for a smoother ride. All versions of New C5 X feature Citroën’s Progressive Hydraulic Cushion® technology, which integrates hydraulic bump stops into the suspension system to better control compression and rebound on damaged surfaces.

 

Inside, New C5 X comes as standard with Advanced Comfort® seats. With broad cushions and seat backs, they combine high-density foam at the heart of each seat, and a thick 15mm layer of extra textured foam on the surface, to keep occupants comfortable and relaxed when on the road.

 

Greg Taylor, Managing Director of Citroën UK, said: “The 2023 ALARM report shows that the UK faces an 11-year and £14.2-billion backlog of road repairs. With this in mind, it’s no surprise that millions are spent each year on damage compensation for motorists. To help drivers avoid the worst of pothole damage, Citroën is glad to offer a Free Pothole Damage Inspection at participating retailers from 1 May – 30 June.”