Citroën has launched its electric vehicle (EV) offensive with the opening of order books for the new C5 Aircross Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) – its first plug-in model since the C-Zero city car.

All Citroën models will be offered with either a battery electric (BEV) or PHEV variant, in addition to internal combustion engines (ICE), by 2025, and the new model is the first of the French brand’s new crop of alternative fuel vehicles (AFV).

Arriving in the UK within weeks of the launch of other PSA Group electrified product – including the Peugeot 3008 and 508 PHEV models, the e-208 and e-2008, Vauxhall Corsa e and DS Automobiles’ DS 7 and DS 3 E-TENSE Crossback models – the C5 Aircross claims CO2 emissions of just 32 to 33g/km and fuel efficiency of up to 168mpg on the WLTP combined cycle.

Combining the PSA Group’s PureTech 180 petrol engine with an 80kW electric motor to offer the equivalent of up to 225PS, the C5 Aircross hybrid model is also capable of covering 34 miles under zero emissions electric propulsion.

Prices start at £35,340 for the ‘Flair’ trim level, with a Flair Plus level also available, and the first customer deliveries are expected to get underway this summer.

As reported by AM last week, every plug-in PSA Group model now comes with a six month subscription to Pod Point's POLAR charging network (normally worth £7.85 per month), giving free access to the majority of the charge point provider’s UK network.

Pod Point will also supply and install accelerated home charging points (wall boxes) that will allow the C5 Aircross SUV Hybrid to charge fully in under two hours (7kW charging point).

These charging points will be eligible for the £500 Home Charge Grant (from OLEV/Government) subject to the driver or owner meeting the qualifying criteria.

All C5 Aircross Plug-in Hybrids are fitted with a standard specification which includes: Citroën Connect Nav with three-year subscription to TomTom Live Traffic, active blind spot monitoring, active lane keeping assist, active safety brake, front and rear parking sensors and a 180° colour reversing camera.

Flair Plus adds a half-leather interior, an electric driver’s seat, a motorised hands-free tailgate, active cruise control and 19-inch ‘Art’ bi-tone alloy wheels.

Defining itself from C5 Aircross SUV models powered by either a petrol or a diesel engine, the plug-in hybrid also benefits from a range of styling changes, along with programmable cabin pre-conditioning (heating/cooling) and deferred charging and a frameless auto-dimming electrochrome rear-view mirror with blue LED electric driving mode indicator.

The PHEV also features three driving modes, providing owners with the opportunity to optimise the vehicle to their driving needs. They are:

Electric – the car uses only the battery-powered electric motor, resulting in an quiet and smooth drive with zero exhaust emissions, offering a range of up to 34miles (WLTP certified).

Hybrid – the car chooses the best mix of electric and petrol propulsion to suit the driving style whilst optimising efficiency.

Sport – the car combines the power of electric and petrol motors to prioritise performance.