WITH its classy-looking new C5, Citroen is making great strides to improve its quality image.
It is aiming the saloon at the lucrative premium family-car sector which has been the preserve of German manufacturers for such a long time.
And besides the C5’s high build standards the new Citroen, even with its French flair, actually looks Germanic.
Citroen says a tourer, with extra practicality, is joining the saloon this summer to add to the C5’s current 15 versions with three extensive trim levels.
In the past, Citroen has provided special deals but with the new C5 it will not need to give buyers extra incentives as the car should sell on quality and value and, together with Citroen’s strengthening position in the market, residuals should also be much improved.
Outstanding features are the comfortable ride and the wide range of diesel motors which are in such demand now that fuel prices are soaring.
Citroen has gone to great lengths to please those who value comfort and this really shows on long trips when the driver and passengers get a limousine ride and can reach their destinations without feeling any aches and pains from the journey.
With class-leading levels of sound-proofing, the ride is really quiet, too.
You can choose between two suspension packages – the manufacturer’s acclaimed Hydractive 3 Plus self-levelling set up, which has been proven over many years, or conventional steel springing. Both systems are excellent and while many Citroen enthusiasts will no doubt plump for the Hydractive system, the conventional springing is already proving popular with the fleet and the user-chooser market.
The Hydractive system adjust itself continuously and intuitively according to the driving conditions to give a smooth ride. Even a short drive in the car will show just how cosseting the ride is.
The conventional suspension is better for the press-on driver as it provides sharper handling and an excellent balance between practicality and road-holding characteristics.
Fleets doing high mileages will probably consider it is a safer financial bet for long-term planning.
To meet anticipated demand, Citroen has put the power plant emphasis on diesel for which the company is renowned.
There are four HDi – 110bhp, 138bhp, 173bhp and a V6 208bhp – all fitted with a diesel particulate filter system that virtually eliminates particle emissions.
The petrol units are also very lively and thrifty and include the 127bhp 1.8i 16-valve and 143bhp 2.0i 16-valve. They are a good compromise between power and economy.
Prices go from £15,595 for the 1.8i 16-valve SX petrol to £24,395 for the top-of-the-range 2.7HDi V6 208 Exclusive.
A drive in the 2.0-litre petrol car showed what a big advance the new model is over the old. The engine has strong mid-range punch and plenty of power to cruise on the motorway and with the special attention paid to the seating and interior comforts the drive is very rewarding.
The quality cabin echoes the same flowing lines as seen on the exterior with driver and passenger seated in the lap of luxury.
There is a child-friendly environment with Isofix anchor points on up to three seats, four one-touch electric windows with anti-pinch function and an electric child-safety lock for the doors and windows.
Standard on all C5s is the electronic stability programme with traction control, allowing the driver to keep command in difficult driving conditions. You could fill a book with the list of standard equipment.
