Citroen Australia’s first plug-in hybrid won’t make it Down Under until next year.
The Citroen C5 X Plug-in Hybrid was due to launch in the latter stages of 2023, but the French brand’s local arm has confirmed the electrified wagon will now arrive sometime during the first half of 2024.
“There has been an unavoidable delay in the launch of the C5 X Plug-In Hybrid to the Australian market due to availability and our desire to ensure supply will meet demand at the time of launch,” a spokesperson for Peugeot Citroen Australia told CarExpert.
“Therefore, the C5 X Plug-In Hybrid will now be arriving in H1, 2024. We are committed to introducing the C5 X Plug-In Hybrid to the Australian market and look forward to welcoming our first electrified Citroen in the first half of next year.”
The C5 X Plug-in Hybrid is powered by the same 1.6-litre turbocharged PHEV system as the Peugeot 308 and 508 PHEVs.
On its own, the four-cylinder petrol engine develops 133kW and 250Nm, augmented by an 81kW electric motor. In total the drivetrain puts out 165kW, and Citroen quotes up to 59 kilometres of electric range (WLTP) from the 12.4kWh lithium-ion battery pack.
The PHEV also builds on the petrol variant with Advanced Comfort active suspension, which electronically adjusts the ride depending on the drive mode you select.
Further pricing and specification details will be announced closer to launch, but it’s expected the C5 X Plug-in Hybrid will effectively carryover the existing C5 X petrol’s Shine specification in Australia – the petrol-only model currently starts at $57,760 plus on-road costs.
Peugeot’s recent form indicates we should expect a $10,000-$15,000 premium for the PHEV, indicating a starting price around the $70,000 mark. The related Peugeot 508 GT Plug-in Hybrid currently starts from $81,610 as a Fastback, with the Sportswagon to follow later this year likely carrying a $2000 premium.
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Overseas model shown
While a niche player, the C5 X is actually Citroen’s best seller at the moment.
So far in 2023, the French crossover wagon has returned 37 registrations to the end of June, following on from the 61 units it managed last year following its launch in October.
Beyond the C5 X Plug-in Hybrid, Citroen is looking into bringing the all-electric e-C4 to the Australian market, which uses a 50kWh lithium-ion battery and a front-mounted electric motor with 100kW of power and 260Nm of torque.
Electric range is quoted at 350km on the stricter WLTP cycle, and Citroen claims a 9.7-second 0-100km/h time in Sport mode, with a top speed of 150km/h.
Stay tuned to CarExpert for the latest.
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