Citroen C5 The all new Citroen C5 has amazed me this week, when anyone asking what car I have been testing and I say the Citroën C5, their response has been the same. "Oh not the Sinclair C5"? For those of you too young to remember, the Sinclair C5 will go down in history as the most lethal ‘car’ ever made. On three wheels and with no discrimination here, it was smaller than a motorbike and not much wider yet took its place on the British roads being perilously brave. Or stupid as few motorists did not notice its presence until too late and as a result did not last too long.
With confusion now out of the way, the C5 is Citroën’s latest offering nestling between the lower medium segment from the C4 and executive segment of the C6. This car is appealing to customers who want style, comfort, a bit a street cred entwined with good performance and quality without having to take out a second mortgage.
Initially launched as a five-door saloon, the Tourer version will follow later this year; only a trio of petrol engines are on offer. Citroen, being an envoirmentally friendly manufacturer have decided diesel is the way to go and subsequently are offering four diesel engines all with the ultra clean Particulate Filter System as standard that reduces emissions to a very low levels.
Three trims are available, the SX, VTR+ and Exclusive with prices starting from a very competitive £15,595 for the entry level 1.8i SX rising up to £24,395 for the flagship 2.7 HDi V6 208 Exclusive. My test car for the week was the 1.6 HDi mated to a five-speed manual gearbox on the VTR+ trim that came with a price tag of £17, 595.
We may whinge about our friends across the water, but we cannot deny the fact they make gorgeous looking cars. The Citroën C5 is no exception with many characteristics cementing its pedigree status. The highly distinguishable front and rear styling, sensuous flowing lines, 17 inch alloy wheels, colour coded door handles, and electrically adjustable, folding door mirrors contrasting with the chrome effect side mouldings, puts the C5 high on the executive pedal stool. You have to keep reminding yourself of the low price tag.
However when the wheel turns so do the controls that can then be a bit confusing as you press the cruise control instead of the volume control for example. Well not so in the C5 thanks to a very clever and safe design
Inside and you need to pinch yourself for here is a car with every onboard toy as standard. For driver comfort is adjustable seats with the drivers having a massage facility, height and reach adjustable steering wheel, electric windows all round, automatic electric parking brake with hill start assist, acoustic laminated glass plus auto digital dual zone air conditioning. Aiding and abetting the driver is cruise control with speed limiter, lane departure warning system, halogen headlights with AFS, auto rain sensitive wipers and fog lights. In addition are various advanced driving technologies from Citroën as optional extras such as the highly sensitive parking sensors and NaviDrive.
Now we may have noticed how the steering wheel is getting extremely complicated with numerous remote switches for the audio, cruise control, sat nav and phone etc. This is fine when driving in a straight line, as you know the position of them all. However when the wheel turns so do the controls that can then be a bit confusing as you press the cruise control instead of the volume control for example. Well not so in the C5 thanks to a very clever and safe design whereby the said controls stay in the centre while the steering wheel moves around the outside. Not only does this keep the controls centrally placed in front of the driver at all times, it also means that the thorax airbag incorporated into the wheel stays in place thereby protecting the driver 24/7.
Aiming the C5 at families, the spacious five seater offers plenty of room for five adults so will easily accommodate any children. Therefore Citroën have realised it needs to be practical so has added plenty of storage solutions from an illuminated glove box, cup holders and a centre console storage binnacle for the front occupants. Those in the rear have door pockets, front seatback pockets and if a third middle person is not required, a pull down armrest that doubles up with cup holders and covered storage. This also opens up as a ski hatch to easily load items (or children) into the vast 439 litres of boot complete with lashing eyes.
Citroën hope the C5 will also appeal to drivers who cloak up many miles therefore the C5 has to be safe place to be in. On the VTR+ there are seven airbags in total, driver, passenger, two front, two-curtain side window and one in the steering column. All five seats have seatbelts with pretensioners, adjustable head rests and there are three ISOFIX mountings for the children. Along with a stiffened body and cabin structure, Citroën are very proud to be renowned for producing safe cars and have been rewarded by five stars for adult protection in the Euro NCAP ratings, two stars for pedestrian and four stars for child protection.
Just in case the C5 comes with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, Emergency Braking Assistance, ABS and ESP all as standard. Securing the C5 is equally impressive. A high frequency remote central locking with high security locks and deadlocks, multi function plip remote control, a transponder immobiliser and anti theft alarm. As a result the 1.6 HDi VTR+ falls into insurance group 8E. Ah, music to my ears as normally you would expect to pay far higher premiums for a luxury car.
However it gets better in the money saving department thanks to the incredible fuel consumption from this 1566cc diesel engine that delivers 50.4 mpg on a combined cycle. Performance has not been hindered with a top speed of 119mph and taking a sedate 13.4 seconds to reach 62mph. Just be aware that once there, the C5 will carry on accelerating effortlessly and next thing you know you have hit over 80mph. So rein the C5 in. It could well be you have been daydreaming on what to buy with the money saved from this car. For CO2 emissions have been slashed to 149g/km meaning a group C road fund licence of just £120 per year and more savings are to be had as service intervals are at 12,500 miles.
The ride and handling is superb thanks to Citroën’s highly acclaimed Hydractive self levelling suspension system that adjusts itself continuously according to the road and driving conditions ensuring a smooth ride at all times. The steering is lovely courtesy of the speed sensitive power steering with only 2.95 turns lock to lock thereby conquering even the most minuscule of parking bays.
I have to say, I really enjoyed my week in the Citroën C5. Proud to be driving such a lovely looking vehicle, highly equipped, safe and extremely cost friendly, I decided there was only one thing for it. Retail therapy.
Femalefirst Motoring Reviews Jackie Violet
Citroen C5 The all new Citroen C5 has amazed me this week, when anyone asking what car I have been testing and I say the Citroën C5, their response has been the same. "Oh not the Sinclair C5"? For those of you too young to remember, the Sinclair C5 will go down in history as the most lethal ‘car’ ever made. On three wheels and with no discrimination here, it was smaller than a motorbike and not much wider yet took its place on the British roads being perilously brave. Or stupid as few motorists did not notice its presence until too late and as a result did not last too long.
With confusion now out of the way, the C5 is Citroën’s latest offering nestling between the lower medium segment from the C4 and executive segment of the C6. This car is appealing to customers who want style, comfort, a bit a street cred entwined with good performance and quality without having to take out a second mortgage.
Initially launched as a five-door saloon, the Tourer version will follow later this year; only a trio of petrol engines are on offer. Citroen, being an envoirmentally friendly manufacturer have decided diesel is the way to go and subsequently are offering four diesel engines all with the ultra clean Particulate Filter System as standard that reduces emissions to a very low levels.
Three trims are available, the SX, VTR+ and Exclusive with prices starting from a very competitive £15,595 for the entry level 1.8i SX rising up to £24,395 for the flagship 2.7 HDi V6 208 Exclusive. My test car for the week was the 1.6 HDi mated to a five-speed manual gearbox on the VTR+ trim that came with a price tag of £17, 595.
We may whinge about our friends across the water, but we cannot deny the fact they make gorgeous looking cars. The Citroën C5 is no exception with many characteristics cementing its pedigree status. The highly distinguishable front and rear styling, sensuous flowing lines, 17 inch alloy wheels, colour coded door handles, and electrically adjustable, folding door mirrors contrasting with the chrome effect side mouldings, puts the C5 high on the executive pedal stool. You have to keep reminding yourself of the low price tag.
Inside and you need to pinch yourself for here is a car with every onboard toy as standard. For driver comfort is adjustable seats with the drivers having a massage facility, height and reach adjustable steering wheel, electric windows all round, automatic electric parking brake with hill start assist, acoustic laminated glass plus auto digital dual zone air conditioning. Aiding and abetting the driver is cruise control with speed limiter, lane departure warning system, halogen headlights with AFS, auto rain sensitive wipers and fog lights. In addition are various advanced driving technologies from Citroën as optional extras such as the highly sensitive parking sensors and NaviDrive.
Now we may have noticed how the steering wheel is getting extremely complicated with numerous remote switches for the audio, cruise control, sat nav and phone etc. This is fine when driving in a straight line, as you know the position of them all. However when the wheel turns so do the controls that can then be a bit confusing as you press the cruise control instead of the volume control for example. Well not so in the C5 thanks to a very clever and safe design whereby the said controls stay in the centre while the steering wheel moves around the outside. Not only does this keep the controls centrally placed in front of the driver at all times, it also means that the thorax airbag incorporated into the wheel stays in place thereby protecting the driver 24/7.
Aiming the C5 at families, the spacious five seater offers plenty of room for five adults so will easily accommodate any children. Therefore Citroën have realised it needs to be practical so has added plenty of storage solutions from an illuminated glove box, cup holders and a centre console storage binnacle for the front occupants. Those in the rear have door pockets, front seatback pockets and if a third middle person is not required, a pull down armrest that doubles up with cup holders and covered storage. This also opens up as a ski hatch to easily load items (or children) into the vast 439 litres of boot complete with lashing eyes.
Citroën hope the C5 will also appeal to drivers who cloak up many miles therefore the C5 has to be safe place to be in. On the VTR+ there are seven airbags in total, driver, passenger, two front, two-curtain side window and one in the steering column. All five seats have seatbelts with pretensioners, adjustable head rests and there are three ISOFIX mountings for the children. Along with a stiffened body and cabin structure, Citroën are very proud to be renowned for producing safe cars and have been rewarded by five stars for adult protection in the Euro NCAP ratings, two stars for pedestrian and four stars for child protection.