Citroen C5 Tourer test drive since 2008

Citroen C5 test. The Germans shuddered

France. A country where wine and cheese is produced is preparing exquisite dishes and listening to chanson. They also make cars there. They are very similar to their creators: beauty and character in them are combined with easy playfulness and unique charm to distinguish a Frenchwoman from other machines at first sight. And the French would have produced such models for many more years, but buyers demand their own: the car must be from Germany (in extreme cases, from Japan), and even with the label of premium. This is probably why the model that will be discussed today, at least born under the Eiffel Tower, but clearly has Aryan roots. Meet the new Citroen C5 made in France with German accuracy.
As the theater begins with a hanger, so the car begins with design. And no matter how technical characteristics, the law of a modern buyer is harsh: there is no ugly place here. Apparently, this truth of life has reached Citroen designers in the guise of the new C5 not the slightest hint of a fish -shaped past. Huge headlights, a hood with a substete, a massive false radiator grille with a branded chevron, coupled with a considerable front overhang, create a very dynamic image. True, there were no quotes without light quotes: the stern of the sedan vaguely resembles Lexus GS, and on the fifth door of the station wagon you can safely hang the nameplate with four rings for the indigenous resident of Ingolstadt. However, this does not spoil the overall impression, because the designers managed to shake, but not to mix many elements in such a way that C5 looks one organic whole.
The interior C5 is a small work of art. Soft, pleasant plastic and silky skin, a comfortable chair and verified efforts on the control organs, everything in the cabin gives out a desperate desire of Citroen to squeeze the Germans in the premium segment. The ergonomics of the driver’s place can be called exemplary: the chair has a lot of electroregulations, up to a separate tilt tie tilt, and the steering wheel is traditionally regulated by inclination and departure. By the way, the steering wheel has a branded for the latest Citroen models with a fixed hub, on which the controls of the audio system and cruise control are located. It is very convenient to use such a control panel: you get used to the keys covered with a thin layer of silicone quickly, and it turns out almost immediately to find them blindly. But German practicality is clearly not enough for the salon: there are extremely few niches and pockets for little things, there are nowhere to attach glasses at all. In addition, in C5 you can die from thirst, because there are practically no dupers: only one is available for front passengers, and that only a small half -liter bottle will fit inside the armrest. By the way, without borrowing in the cabin, there were also no: the climate control unit is one to one similar to an analogue from Audi. However, it is so convenient to configure the work of the climate control that a small quote can be forgotten.
The trunk of C5 by the standards of the station wagons is small only 505 liters. However, it is very, very convenient to use it: hooks and pockets are provided in the hold to fix goods, as well as metal religions, thanks to which filling the trunk is very easy. One of the backlight lamps upon closer examination is a flashlight, which can help in the dark. In addition, the trunk is equipped with a pneumatic suspension control system: pressing one key will allow the machine to kneel before you for the convenience of loading. For an additional fee (32,000 rubles), the station wagon can be equipped with an electric drive of the fifth door. As it turned out, in addition to the obvious ease of use, this option has an image component: from those who want to observe the opening and closing of the trunk, a whole queue was sometimes built.
The real pride of the French is noise insulation. To reduce noise in the salon, the Citroenovites forced their engineers to work day and night. As a result, they significantly improved body aerodynamics (CX \u003d 0.29), and then abundantly covered the machine with mats, special sound -absorbing seals installed in all problem areas. It was not without hi-tech for applying special polymer sound insulation now robots are now responsible. The work was carried out not in vain, and at any speed in the cabin of the car now there is almost complete silence. Almost because starting with 3,500 rpm into the salon begins to penetrate the sound of the engine, whose voice you certainly cannot be called noble.
C5 built on the basis of platform No. 3 of the PSA concern. Machine brothers cars are Peugeot 407 and Citroen C6. From the latter, by the way, he also got the hydropneumatic suspension of Hydractive III+. From the previous generation of the Hydractive series pendants, the novelty differs with new brains: it can automatically adapt to the profile of the road while moving, changing the rigidity of shock absorbers and clearance. The road clearance, by the way, can be increased to 200 mm, not every crossover boasts such a clearance!
By the way, the simplest C5 configurations are now equipped with a regular spring suspension. Many fans of the brand consider this a real revolution, because all the larger Citroen, starting with the legendary DS, have always been equipped only by hydropneumatics! Probably, for our conditions, the usual spring suspension will have to come in handy: Previously, a meek disposition Hydractive III often ended acquaintance with harsh Russian roads on a tow truck
The engine line inherited from the previous generation. As a result, the model is available with 1.8, 2.0 and 3.0-liter gasoline engines and 2.0, 2.2 and 2.7-liter turbodiesel. The weakest engine develops 127 hp, the most powerful 215 hp. The gearboxes also remained the same by 5-speed mechanics and two assault rifles for four and six steps. The latter is equipped only with the most powerful modification with a 3.0-liter engine. It is noteworthy that diesel engines are available in Russia.
In motion C5 resembles a large sofa: it is so comfortable in it that it does not pull on sports exploits. Hydractive III+ suspension has amazing energy intensity: even large road bumps will not affect the comfort of passengers. But such a suspension behavior has the reverse side in the turns of the car demonstrates considerable rolls, even the waves invisible to the eye on the asphalt with an increase in speed leads to severe buildup. A little sports to the behavior of the car can add the same button. Citroen sports carrier does not become, however, the rolls and buildup decrease. However, I don’t want to use the sports regime at all, because the capacity of a two -liter motor for an active ride is still not enough. In order to just stay in the stream, you have to twist the engine up to 5,000 revolutions, which negatively affects the consumption: in such modes C5 can consume up to 17 liters of gasoline per 100 km. Mechanical transmission also makes considerable contribution to the drivers' capabilities, the giant moves of the lever of which greatly interfere with active ride. You will look at the place in a dense stream while you switch the clap, and your place has already taken a more quick comrade. But the character C5 with an automatic box is even more phlegmatic
As a result, Citroen managed to create the best French D-class car. Yes, yes, it is French, because all the curtains in the direction of German cars are only in a few elements of design. And the only significant disadvantage of the model is the price. 871 000 rub. For the basic package of the station wagon, this is too much for the brand, which the only one in the Russian market demonstrates the negative dynamics of sales.

Alexander Eremin
 

Source: Auto.mail.ru