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By Jonathan Crouch

Citroen adds a frugal non-plug-in Hybrid engine to its C5 Aircross. Jonathan Crouch takes a look at the Hybrid 136 e-DCS6 model.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 37

Citroen's C5 Aircross always used to sell best with diesel power. Well this petrol Hybrid 136 e-DCS6 version aims to convert black pump loyalists - and quite a few other customers seeking an efficient, practical mid-sized SUV.

Backgroundword count: 167

Here's something new. A non-plug-in Hybrid engine in a Citroen - in this case, the C5 Aircross mid-sized SUV. We've seen a Plug-in Hybrid powertrain fitted to this model for some time, but that's quite a pricey confection. We've never had a non-plug-in Citroen Hybrid of any sort - until this car, the C5 Aircross Hybrid 136 e-DCS6. You probably didn't notice its arrival on sale, but it could hardly be more significant. For most of this century you see, Citroen sales have relied heavily on diesel power, as did initial versions of this C5 Aircross when it was first launched back in 2017. But diesel has been castigated by the green lobby in recent years and sales of black pump-fuelled models have fallen off a cliff, though Citroen still defiantly offers them. But only until the new Hybrid engine we look at here gets into its sales stride. Diesel economy, petrol refinement and sensible pricing. It ought to create the ideal C5 Aircross, but does it?

Driving Experienceword count: 273

At first glance, you might dismiss the engine on offer here as Citroen's usual 1.2-litre PureTech petrol unit with a bit of electrified tinsel - but there's a lot more to it than that. This three cylinder powerplant's been redesigned (over 40% of the parts are new) and it works not with the usual EAT8 8-speed auto gearbox but with an all-new 6-speed dual clutch transmission called e-DCS6, which has been specifically designed to work with the Hybrid system. The set-up's 48V electric motor is actually built into that gearbox and adds 12hp and 55Nm of extra power to an engine upgraded in output from 127bhp to 136bhp over the (continuing) un-electrified PureTech original unit. This is one of those proper hybrids able to run regularly without the aid of fossil fuel: indeed Citroen claims it will do so for around 50% of the time around town. Get beyond the city limits and performance is reasonable enough, 62mph from rest dispatched in 10.2s en route 124mph. You might be disappointed to find that those stats are broadly the same as those of the ordinary PureTech 130 model, but this Hybrid 136 variant goes about its business more quietly, except for a bit of electrical whine when it's in regen mode. You'll know there's an engine under the bonnet when you start up, but if you're commuting in suburbia, you'll quickly forget the fact once underway as the Hybrid system cuts in. As usual in a C5 Aircross, urban driving is also aided by Citroen's Advanced Comfort Suspension set-up, which adds extra bump stops to the shock absorbers, which smooth progress over poor surfaces.

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