Citroën just introduced a whole series of changes to its electric range that includes hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric models. We were invited west of Paris to discover them all at once. A drive of MY AMI BUGGY was the icing on the cake.
We chose a 180 HP C5 Aircross plug-in hybrid to start the day. It’s more affordable than the 225 HP already on sale and mates the 150 HP PureTech petrol engine to an 81 kW electric motor. It also features a new-generation more efficient 12.4 kWh battery made up of 84 cells. Its range is up to 58 km in zero-emission electric mode. The ride is smooth and fairly pleasant, and the suspension seems to be better than on the previous version : diving sometimes got out of control but it’s no longer the case here.
Some will lament the car’s overall firmness but the wonderfully plush seats more than make up for it. On the whole, this 180 HP version is still as pleasing as the 225 HP one. There’s a 460 litres huge boot, clever storage spaces abund and the three rear seats can be adjusted individually . The 44km range in full electric mode seems honest enough but given the car’s weight, fuel consumption is on the high when the battery is empty. There’s no engine noise, just the electric motor’s whistle. It can be heard once the roof is open and the windows are down, provided the rdio is off. The cheapest one is called YOU and retails for €41,500. The 180 and the 225 HP cars are only € 500 apart…
A more convincing MHEV
Another new feature on the C5 Aircross Hybrid 136 is a 48 V Hybrid technology, which mates a 136 HP PureTech petrol engine to a 21 kW electric unit to deliver a pleasant driving experience while keeping fuel consumption under control. The result is a fairly homogeneous car that is pleasant to drive thanks to its lightness.The smooth powertrain, shared with its Peugeot 3008 and 5008 cousins, will quickly make you forget the previous and rather rough 130 bhp PureTech engine, even though from which 60% of the parts are carried over. This short test drive also allowed us to appreciate the even higher level of comfort than in the PHEV version as it smoothes out easily all sorts of traffic calming devices. In this respect, it’s a genuine Citroën !
The new six-speed e-DSC6 dual-clutch gearbox is a Punch Powertrain design and it houses the electric unit. It too was another wonderful surprise. It really ups onboard peace of mind and backs up both the engine and the car’s suspension perfectly. The over-assisted steering calms down the most nervous drivers and reminds us that this is a family SUV. More than 265,000 units have been sold since its 2018 launch. This new MHEV version starts from €35,600 in YOU trim, a €4,700 premium over the basic 1.2 Puretech 130 version.
A smooth and relaxed atmosphere in the e-C4 X
The ë-C4 and ë-C4 X have a new more powerful 156 HP/ 115 kW engine as well as a new 54 kWh battery. The range is now up to 420 km in the combined WLTP cycle (+17% compared with the previous one). Yours truly had never driven an e-C4 X before, and I must admit this car is also a genuine Citroën. Here too, comfort seems to have been high on the designers’ brief : the chassis is really smooth and on the move it’s really quiet inside. It features an ‘Advanced Comfort’ suspension set up featuring the famous twin-stop hydraulic dampers.
The interior is similar to the one in the petrol C4. However, there’s an enlarged central screen, a wireless phone charger on the top of the range versions and the usual USB sockets. Its extended range and increased power should make up for two of its main shortcomings. Moving up from the C4 hatchback to the C4 X and its bigger boot means you can appreciate the latter’s improved soundproofing. However, it looks more placid and less dynamic The 100kW version is still available and costs from €37,650 (C4 100 kW YOU). The 115kW version is dearer by €2,000. The MAX top trim version would set you back €41,650 (100 kW) or €42,650 (115 kW). The X is €500 more…
When the AMI becomes a BUGGY…
All 1,000 units of the MY AMI BUGGY sold out on the internet in just a few hours, making it a rather elusive vehicle. Test driving it rounded off this eventful day. Our young colleague Paul-Edouard Urbain already had the exclusive opportunity to discover it in Belgium, but it was a first for yours truly : I had not even tested a closed AMI before. We went off to the Maffliers estate (west of Paris), to finally get a taste of this unusual machine. With a 45 km/h top speed and a 70 km range, it has become the darling of teenagers living in posh areas.
They can now get to school in the dry without needing a driving licence. The AMI Buggy sould be a smashing hit… It looks great, but the driving position is different. The seats thickness is unworthy of a 4-wheeled vehicle, and the shoddy welds explain the vehicle’s low price. With its roof-mounted headlights, spiked off-road tyres and 14″ rims, it encourages you to get off the road and get in the country. Once there, it takes on a whole new dimension, offering a unique experience in the middle of the woods. Clearly, Citroën can still surprise us ! It’s so much better that way… (Translation: Dimitri Urbain)
