| 15/03/08 Contents All car articles > Automobile > Two-wheeler | New C5: Citroën rejuvenated! The stylistic break inaugurated by the C4 and C6 continues with the C5, which is a real feast for the eyes and marks another step towards the German competition, the Audi A4 and BMW 3 Series. These remarks by Vincent Besson, Citroën’s Products and Markets manager, say it all: “For a long time, M2 segment saloons and estates have been compromise vehicles – functional objects with no seductive power. Today, only stylistic daring pays: no more “dad’s saloon”!”. And it is clear that, looking at the new C5, Citroën – whose ageing customer base seemed to stay only for the myth and legendary comfort of the marque – has just turned a page.
 Despite its undeniable qualities, the old C5 suffered from unattractive looks. This time, Citroën seems to have sought inspiration across the Rhine with a more sporty, statutory style: high waistline, rounded wings and accented wheel arches reminiscent of the Audi A4 and BMW 3 Series. © Citroën With this new C5, Citroën is moving on to a notchback structure and slightly increasing the dimensions of its saloon: 4.78 m long, 1.86 m wide, 1.45 m tall and a wheelbase of 2.82 m. © Citroën A break in style, certainly, but the brand recognition is unambiguous, as witnessed by the enormous chrome chevrons on the radiator grille, the C6-style concave rear window, C4-type light clusters, long front and short rear overhangs… © Citroën In the passenger compartment, although the German influence remains present in terms of perceived quality, with an exemplary finish and top-of-the-range materials, the design retains a certain French-style fluidity and a few standards peculiar to the marque, such as the C4’s fixed-hub steering wheel. The driver’s seat has also been well designed with two types of seat, one more oriented towards comfort and ease, the other towards dynamism and driving pleasure, with more pronounced support. © Citroën In terms of road holding, the C5 should combine dynamism and comfort since it benefits from the same running gear as its older sibling, the C6. Aficionados of Citroën suspension will not be disappointed since the C5 adopts Hydroactive III suspension – smooth as a flying carpet. The only break with tradition is that the basic models will be offered with metallic suspension. © Citroën The estate version, dubbed the C5 Tourer, is also an undeniable aesthetic success. Despite a relatively impressive size, the lines remain fluid and dynamic: 4.83 m long, 1.86 m wide and 1.48 m tall. © Citroën Saloon and estate will be available with 3 petrol engines: the 127 hp (92 kW) 1.8i 16V; the 143 hp (103 kW) 2.0i 16V; and the 215 hp (155 kW) 3.0i V6. As for diesel, the 4 HDi engines will be equipped as standard with a particulate filter: 110 hp (80kW), 138 hp (100 kW) and 173 hp (125 kW) HDi units, and a V6 HDi delivering 208 hp (150 kW). © Citroën | |
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