Test drive Citroen C5: carpet-flying
Test Drive

Test drive Citroen C5: carpet-flying

Test drive Citroen C5: carpet-flying

Until recently, the car owners of the Citroen brand were considered as mansions with different tastes and preferences from the generally accepted ones. The new C5 aims to make the French brand's philosophy appeal to a wider audience.

History obliges ...

If you have the same history behind your back as the existing Citroen company since 1919, it will be very difficult for you to do exactly what others expect of you. However, unlike the good old days, today the recipe for a good car is well known, and no one can afford to seriously deviate from the mainstream stylistic and technological flow. Not to mention swimming against the current day. Can you afford to do everything today radically differently, as with a capricious "goddess"? DS 19?

But what, then, is interesting and exciting about the new C5, which replaces its gray and boring predecessor of the same name? A closer look reveals some things quickly - like the fixed steering wheel hub, which you'll love because the buttons on it are always in the same place, or the stock oil thermometer, a phenomenon that has completely disappeared from many other makes and models. However, he recalls that modern engines also like thorough warming up and pay for less wear and tear for careful treatment.

Slightly different from ordinary control devices, on the dials of which instead of the usual long hands, only small hands slide. Unfortunately, we are forced to point out that the difference is not necessarily better here. The fact that the tank cap can only be opened with a key can also be considered one of the less inspiring solutions.

Moderate eccentricity

The car has everything you need to respect direct competitors. The extremely rich safety equipment and the abundance of interior space make an excellent impression - the only slight limitation can be in the head area of ​​tall passengers in the back seat. The test car was from the top version of the Exclusive with an additional luxury package, which of course did not cause any complaints about the furniture and the prestigious atmosphere in the cabin. The quality of materials and processing are more than convincing. The leather upholstery also covers the dashboard, it sits great, but unfortunately the beautiful white decorative stitching reflects on the windshield and distracts the driver.

Our impressions of the ergonomics of the driver's seat are also not entirely unambiguous. As an example, there are clear graphics on the large navigation screen, making it quick and easy to perceive the really important functions, but the voice command control system (repeat, please!) Is a little far from the state of the art in this area. The abundance of very small buttons is a bit confusing, although in general, working with the menu is pleasant and does not require the usual digging into the instruction manual. In case you're looking for the emergency turn signal button, it's on the right, on the passenger side, next to the driver - as if the designer had first forgotten and then found a place for it. In general, nothing dramatic - just little things that Citroen fans used to perceive as small charms in the usual process of getting to know and getting used to the car. The most important thing is yet to come, and in fact no one will be disappointed with the feeling behind the wheel of a moving C5.

Magic Carpet

It should be noted here that Citroen also offers its latest model in conventional steel spring suspension versions, but the test car had the latest generation of that famous hydropneumatic marvel to which the brand owes its fame. Its name is Hydractive III +, and its action undoubtedly reflects the culmination of communication with the new model. The agile, lightning-fast response and the unruffled calm with which the suspension system smooths out bumps in the road surface is top notch. The Citroen model glides so perfectly over long, wavy bumps that you start to wonder why other car bodies make such strange movements. Even rutted secondary roads are perceived by passengers as well-groomed highways, and the fact that annoying short bumps are still felt is just proof that there is no perfect suspension that absorbs everything.

However, this does not change anything in the conclusion that the C5 and its hydropneumatic system are currently the absolute leaders in terms of driving comfort - and not only in the middle class. Even models with proven comfort, like the C-Class Mercedes for example, can't create the magic carpet experience you can experience in the new Citroen C5. In this regard, it reaches the level of the larger C6 (which is not surprising with almost identical chassis elements) and even manages to overtake it in road dynamics.

Comfortable top engine

We were also interested in the question of whether the engine could provide the driver and passengers with comfort at the height of the amazing features offered by the suspension. The 2,7-litre turbo-diesel engine is a classic 6-degree V60 and proved to be one of the smoothest-running engines in its class in testing. An inconspicuous diesel knock under the hood is noticeable only at low speeds - in general, the six-cylinder engine runs so quietly that it is almost inaudible.

Two compressors provide full breathing of the turboset, but they also cannot completely melt the initial weakness that is characteristic of many turbodiesels at start-up. The C5 starts with a slight slowdown but then accelerates powerfully and evenly - like a big yacht in a strong wind. Good things can be said about the operation of the six-speed automatic transmission with its quick and almost imperceptible response, but the fuel consumption of the C5 V6 HDi 205 Biturbo version is not much to celebrate in today's times of hypersensitivity to this topic. However, the general work of André Citroën's followers on the new model certainly gives him enough reason to smile in satisfaction as he floats his magic carpet in the blissful sky...

Text: Goetz Lairer, Vladimir Abazov

Photo: Hans-Dieter Zeifert

Evaluation

Citroen C5 V6 HDi 205 McLaren

Excellent suspension comfort gives the C5 a special place in its class. The very original ergonomic solutions in the driver's seat and the high cost of the impressive diesel engine with its even operation prove once again that there is no complete happiness ...

technical details

Citroen C5 V6 HDi 205 McLaren
Working volume-
Power150 kW (204 hp)
Maximum

torque

-
Acceleration

0-100 km / h

9,4 with
Braking distances

at a speed of 100 km / h

39 m
full speed224 km / h
Average consumption

fuel in the test

9,9 l / 100 km
Base Price69 553 levov

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