Test drive Citroen C5 Estate 2001 - 2004 station wagon

Great deceiver

The disappearance of the train and the flights of Copperfield can be called children's amusements against the background of focus from the arsenal of Citroen-C5.
 
Real Citroen
Already the first appearance on the stage of the French magician causes revival in the hall. Ensure that the hussar! - The lady from the stall groans. And if you have seen your eyes, maybe he was overwhelmed? -Inces are interested in the gallery. Hard to the overseas grunts ... - Evil hiss from the balcony.
 
That's really - how many people, so many opinions. This is said about the appearance of Citroen-C5. Some diplomatically call the controversial style, others, for example, colleagues from the English Car?, Not embarrassed in expressions, branded the Frenchman with a uniform freak. The British, of course, bent, but you must agree that the absolute minority unequivocally likes the chain. In defense of stylists from Velisi, only one thing can be said: if the appearance of Citroen causes ambiguous, more often a sharply negative reaction, then you have a real Citroen. It is better to be causing than no - all his famous relatives sought to correspond to this - the tract Avan, DS, SC and HM. Such and C5.
 
The oblong headlights, a heavy waist line, a short rear overhang, a large windshield - an unconditionally controversial, but memorable appearance. Despite the mass production (250 thousand a year), a fairly wide unification with Peugeot cars and the fact that its platform will become the basis for other models of the PSA concern, the z-fifth maneules to remain a bright individualist.
    
From the history of the issue
For the first time, the letter C appeared in the alphabet of the double chevron in 1921. Andre Citroen decided to supplement the well -sold model in a cheaper and cheerful machine. The chain was just that - it doesn’t happen easier. A four-cylinder engine with a volume of 856 cm3 and a capacity of 11 hp, a 3-speed gearbox, brakes only on the rear wheels, but the headlights and an electric starter. For four years, about 88 thousand meshs were released, including slightly modernized versions C2 and C3. For a characteristic narrowing stern, the car received the nickname of Kurina Guza from the owners. In general, for his time, Citroen was considered a very high -quality and reliable car. And this is exactly what ruined him. The costs of issuing a model from inaccessible were inferior to the cost of a more prestigious and expensive Beach. And Citroen, despite the growing demand, turned production. However, the real ancestors of the C5 hatchback can be called models C4 and C6, which appeared in 1928. By modern standards, they would probably be attributed to the middle class D, and the difference between the models was only in the engines - there was a four -cylinder engine on C4, on a more expensive C6 (in the picture) - in -line six.
 
 
If the appearance of Citroen causes lively disputes, then its interior is definitely beautiful and at the same time the highest degree is functional
 
Anti -linen visor like a driver has double wings in a passenger
      
 
Below from the steering wheel switch and next to the ignition switch there is a clumsy look, but a very convenient control panel of the stereo system
 
Standard arrow quartet of the instrument panel - a speedometer, tachometer, water temperature sensors and fuel residue - is supplemented, in our opinion, optional, voltmeter and an oil temperature indicator
  
    

EXCLUSIVE equipment
 
Abs
Safety pillows:
driver
front passenger
Side
Climate control
Electric package (glass+mirrors)
Fog lights
central locking
Alloy wheels
Price, $ 31,490
Leather salon, $ 1700
Radio, $ 420
 
I removed my corner in waves
Even more fully, the non -conformism of the new Citroen manifests itself in the interior of the salon. I can’t even believe it, but there is not a single straight line in the interior of the CEO! The bends of the torpedo, the upholstery of the doors, the central console and even the lids of the glove box - like the waves of the surf, frozen in plastic and skin. All together looks surprisingly harmonious and unnecessary - convincing evidence that the original can be known and without installing single -spoke rudders on cars.
 
Another undoubted decoration of the interior is seats, in the creation of which, by the way, was attended by our man Vladimir Pirozhkov, now working for the benefit of Toyota. What is special about them? A very comfortable pillow, excellent manufacturing quality and, of course, design - where without it. The central inserts of pillows and backs are decorated with a stylized image of a heraldic shield. Stunningly beautiful.
 
And the climate control system in Citroen is just a fairy tale. Suffice it to say that if you wish, you can get cold air from one deflector and hot from a neighboring one! It really looks like a miracle.
 
But C5, like any illusionist, has unsuccessful tricks. Despite the fact that the car is the highest among classmates (1.48 m), it is impossible to call it the most spacious. The three of us can be located on the couch only if a not very high passenger is dangled in the middle. And this is despite the central tunnel that has been nullified! Well, at least that there is more than enough space in the shoulders.
 
In my opinion, the central console trimmed with plastic under the tree cannot be called a model of good taste.
 
By car in an expensive configuration of Exclusive (chosen, that is,) next to excellent skin, pleasant to the touch with plastic, with a fibrous upholstery of the front racks and the ceiling, an unpleasant hard plastic is adjacent to the ceiling. Penny Wise, Pound Foolish, ”the British say in such cases, implying that, having saved a penny, you can lose on a ruble. Damn it is insulting to find a fly in a soup, especially when you visit an expensive restaurant. But as soon as I set off, I forgave Citroen and this sin. After all, he knows how to convince like no one.
    
Fell - squeezed out!
Citroen without hydropneumatics that a policeman is without a baton. The third generation of patented suspension will help you change the clime. Pressing the button on the central console, and Citroen will fall on the parade ground. It is impossible to go in this position, but it is convenient, for example, to fix the trailer. For driving along the crossed terrain, there is a so -called high -rise mode - a speed threshold of 40 km/h. Well, if you really licks you, you can rise even higher. Just do not forget that in the highest mode it is forbidden to go faster than 10 km/h. But climb a high border or get through a ditch is easy. However, this is not all. The built -in hydroelectronic interface (BHI) - the brain of hydropneumatic suspension - performs some operations on its own. At a speed of 110 km/h, he lowers the front of 15, and the feed is 11 mm, lowering the center of gravity and improving aerodynamics. If the computer seemed that the condition of the road leaves much to be desired, it lifts the car by 13 mm - the speed should not exceed 70 km/h. Well, of course, you cannot lose sight of such a useful function as preserving the constant road clearance of a car, regardless of the load.
 
 

 
Despite the almost even floor, only two will accommodate behind with comfort. But, having discouraged the unit part of the back, you will get an excellent subloice. In addition, the sofa provides a hatch for the transportation of long objects
     
   
Three -liter V -shaped six - the most powerful engine in the gamut of a double chevron
 
 
French express
A delightfully good motor is a three -liter V -shaped six. And he has only one drawback - a solid appetite. Otherwise, ... variable phases of gas distribution, six ignition coils, a collector from composite materials, a pulsation extinguisher in the fuel supply system ... is too difficult and incomprehensible? Please. Silence and complete absence of vibrations, confident craving on the bottom and equally confident picking up until the limiter is triggered. And if it’s even easier, then you can move at least from the third gear. The dynamics of acceleration at any speed is such that there is no need to switch down. The lever of the box itself is disappointed. Its moves are typically in French long, and even not too clear. With frequent and energetic manipulation, I sometimes did not find the necessary transmission the first time.
 
In Europe, however, three-liter engines do not like due to gluttony and high insurance duties, as well as limited demand in the market of used cars. We are not familiar to us these civilized problems, and the pleasure that the V-shaped six will give you, believe me, there is overpayments of several thousand.
 
The controllability of the Stroy, of course, is inferior to the current luminaries of the genre like Mondeo or the 406th. But it loses the cereal only in such a subjective component as the pleasure of 'driving. On C5, you will not be able to cut the turn as if with a razor -when exceeding the speed in the bend, it will trite straighten the arc. Discharge of gas - and the back will take up where necessary. Reliable, but boring. And the hydraulic power steering with a variable sensitivity works with such enthusiasm that it almost completely deprives the driver of the reactive force necessary for active driving.
 
But the most warm words deserve brakes. It would seem, what is unusual here? In front are ventilated discs, continuous behind. Of course, there is an ABS, well, and an almost mandatory system of a brack assistant today, with a sharp braking, a squeezing pedal for a timid driver. But a friend, as you know, is known only in trouble. After I had to brake from 110 km/h in a dense stream, I was imbued with a feeling of deep respect for these brakes. And how great it is that in C-Pip, with a sharp slowdown, AVA-thryans are automatically turned on. Otherwise, the visit to the tin would be inevitable.
 
You see, even small miracles can protect from great troubles. Others simply make life easier. So, the C5 computer automatically includes headlights when dark or entry into the tunnel. Head lighting flashes during the first waves of the wipers. At the same time, Sit-Roen will helpfully close glass and hatch. Damn it is convenient! And it’s great that the automatic package can be installed even on the basic version. By the way, it includes the main highlight of the double chevron -a gydropneumatic suspension.
 
   
The automatic package includes folding mirrors. When the rear gear is turned on, the right mirror is independently aimed at the curbstone
     
 
VIV La Idrapneumatic!
I admit that in anticipation of the premiere of C5, I was afraid that the Citroenovites would change themselves. Suddenly, having suffered with capricious hydropneumatic of past generations, will they decide to replace it with ordinary macsons and torsiones? I am glad that I was mistaken. The famous suspension, fortunately, is alive and, moreover, it feels like ever good. Citroen officially ensures that owners of cars with a suspension of Idaraktiv 3 will not see the spots of LHM liquid on the garage floor for five years or 200 thousand kilometers of mileage! In many ways, this became possible due to the fact that the liquid has become completely synthetic.
 
Do not wait, of course, that Citroen is a kind of wonderful carpet. If the wheel gets into the pit, then you will feel a blow without a doubt, and the buildup will not disappear when crossing the tram tracks. When driving on more or less good roads, C5 is no different from a car with a conventional suspension. The magic of deception begins later. It is then that you understand that even the most powerful blows are transferred to the body in a muffled form. And on an uneven road, for example, paving stones, a fifth one allows you to keep a much higher speed than competitors -the habit of discomfort is much higher here. But the most important thing is sytroen -s5 turned out to be the first car in which my girlfriend does not rock.
 
 
The tippler display, depending on the configuration, can be both plain or color
 
 
At the bottom of the central console there is a climate control unit. Using a calculator, you can change the audio system settings or dial a phone number. The hole in the center is designed for a SIM card
 
 
Deceived and satisfied
I repent, the last argument finished me completely. And I suddenly caught myself thinking that I want to buy Citroen, although I have been driving in cars of another brand all my life. Do I really want to stand out from the crowd? Or did I like the car's helpfulness in the little things so much, such as automatic turning on the headlights? Maybe it's still a magic suspension? Or a reasonable price? Don't know. Probably a similar feeling is experienced by the audience on the show of the same Copperfield. You know for sure that you were deceived, you cannot understand how, but you like it terribly.
 
    
What is how much?
So far, Sitroen C5 is officially supplied to Russia with gasoline engines of 2 (138 hp) and 3 (210 hp) liters, as well as a 2.2-liter HDI turbodiesel (136 hp). Dealers offer 138-horsepower C5 in a good SX configuration and ask for it $ 21,500. For these you get ABS, electric package, automatic headlights, rain sensor, air conditioning, wiring for an audio system and a phone. A three -liter C5 implies Exclusive equipment, in which there is no perhaps a leather salon and an audio system. By the way, the PSA group partner in terms of mugs is the famous American company JBL. Therefore, we advise you to pay extra for the audio system.
 
You can also install a 4-speed automatic with a mode of an Avil Switching mode to order. In the fall, in show rooms, re-applied with a cable with a station wagon. But nothing is known about the supply of the most affordable 1.8-liter gasoline engine.
 
 
Citroen C5 V6
common data
 
 
Body
5-seater sedan
 
Equipped mass, kg
1480
 
Complete mass, kg
2010
 
Length x width x height, mm
4618 x 1770 x 1476
 
Base, mm
2750
 
Front/back, mm track
1530/1495
 
Maximum speed, km/h
240
 
Acceleration time 0-100 km/h, with
8.2
 
Fuel consumption, l/100 km
9.6
 
Fuel supply, l
66 (A-95)
 
 
Engine
 
 
Location
Front transversely
 
Design
 
from a light alloy, 6-cylinder, V-shaped
 
The number of valves per cylinder
four
 
Cylinder diameter X piston stroke, mm
87 x 82.6
 
Working volume, SMZ
2946
 
Compression ratio
10.9
 
Power, L.S. (kW) at rpm
210 (152 kW) at 6000
 
Torque, kgsm (nm) at rpm
29 (285 nm) at 3750
 
 
Chassis
 
 
Transmission
front -wheel drive
 
Transmission
Mechanical, 5-speed
 
Suspension:
 
 
 
hydropneumatic,
with triangular transverse levers
(behind - demanding), stiffener regulator
and stabilizer of pepper stability
 
 
Steering
 
rEMENCH with an amplifier
 
 
Brakes
 

disk (in front are ventilated),
with a vacuum amplifier, ABS,
emergency braking system
Break Assist
 
The size of the tires
215/55 R16
 

 
PER
Extraordinary appearance,
powerful elastic motor,
excellent smoothness
 
AGAINST
An extraordinary appearance,
not enough informatian steering wheel,
not the most clear gear shift
 
Mikhail Medvedev, photo Maxim Goncharov
 
 

Source: Magazine "Limousine" [05/01]