Test Drive Citroen C5 Tourer since 2008 Wagon

All the faces of comfort

It is unlikely that the portrait of Citroen C5 will cause delight at the adherent of cars of this extravagant brand. However, having tasted with a truly paradise hospitality of the novelty, the fan of double chevron will certainly be satisfied.
 
I wonder what part of a billion dollars invested in the development and preparation of production C5, Citroen addressed the design of the model. It seems very modest. In any case, considering from all sides an amorphous, circular and some kind of amorphous body of the tse-fifth, and did not enter the image of the novelty. They compared the magnificent avant-garde appearance of such famous family members as DS, CX or XM, with a faceless fundamental basis of C5, and was approved in the opinion that the worker came to the old woman ...
 
Our reflections were interrupted by an exclamation of one of the passersby: what a handsome man! So polar assessment we did not expect to hear. What is it? Confirmation of the theory of relativity of the beautiful? Or a cargo, and therefore the impressive Citroen, besides other qualities, has a gift of hypnotic exposure? Be that as it may, we found out that the appearance of the car is capable of like. Well, and otherwise there is a person that C5 will leave indifferent.
 
The car caught the car may seem sedan, but in reality C5, which supports traditional corporate identity, is a hatchback. In size, it is much larger than Xantia and comparable with the Citroen - XM flagship from the scene. Temporarily, before the approach of even more solid C6 (which will be based on the same newest platform as today's celebration perpetrator), the five performs the responsibilities of the head of the model range. The hatchback is deployed at the junction of medium and business classes and is intended primarily to compete with Fordeo Mondeo and Volkswagen Passat.
 
One of the C5 trumps in the fight against competitors is the magnitude of the salon. Places here in excess not only for the driver and his neighbor, but also for the three rear passengers - almost like in a minivan. Front chairs and rear sofa (decaying, he makes it without that spacious trunk by cargo hangar) - under the interior dimensions. It is convenient to get enough fat people on all seats. True, the front roller lumbar support is omitted too low, but an extensive range of adjustments is proposed. The optimal arrangement of the driver also contributes to the steering column, which can be adjusted along the angle of inclination and in depth.
 
The finish produces a favorable impression, although the hard plastic in the lower part of the front panel contrasts slightly with its elastic riding.
 
Equipment Citroen C5, even in the basic configuration (from $ 21,200), cannot but satisfy. If you are abundant to the salon, the mess and the cup holders will not surprise anyone, then a huge glove box with a compartment for drinks and products, cooled air-conditioned (if more precisely, C5 has a separate and left half climate control), as well as two-sided sun visors with highlightening Mirrors are already from the discharge of high comfort.
 
Continuing to disclose their secrets, the tse-fifth demonstrates a truly stunning electronic filling. The electric car in the hatchback is not that full, but rather crowded. Banal power windows in all four doors, and those are equipped, as in luxurious limousines, systems of one touch and anti-rig. On the steering wheel - duplicate CD-RDS-audio control panel. In the middle of the front panel there is a multifunctional display, which is displayed as a maximum of useful information: from the external temperature and data of the on-board computer before open door alarm.
 
And this is not all. How do you automatically turn on headlights in the dark and windshield wipers at the first drops of rain? And the trunk and independently closed when the precipitation of glass is shifted during the movement. And the displays come back on the center console and the special button on the key chain, allowing, being out of the machine, to open windows for venting?
 
Our Citroen worth $ 24490 is even more rich. In addition to the advanced seats adjustment capabilities, it is equipped with a leather steering wheel, headlights and seats heating, and from delicacies - parking sensors, air pressure sensors in tires and folding when stopped the engine with exterior mirrors (of course, electrical and heated), the right of which automatically changes the position when Movement with reverse. We mention six airbags in the standard and speech synthesizer in an additional configuration. Consistency, Skatcher is unslab.
 
Up to one hundred and 1300 kilogram hatchback, equipped with a two-liter 138-strong gasoline engine, accelerates in 12 seconds and develops the maximum speed of about 200 km / h, responds quite responsive to the accelerator. The car is good, without causing irritation to sleepiness.
 
In the world and harmony with the engine lives a 4-step automatic, equipped, as now, is found, manual switching mode. The gearbox is somewhat thoughtful, but knows how to adapt to a specific ride style. Her good faith does not cause the desire to switch velocity manually, except in rare cases of engine braking.
 
Like the former large Citroen, the new C5 has a hydropneumatic suspension.
 
The fundamentally not changed, but significantly upgraded Hydractive system with an index III is even better adapted to road cataclysms. She violates the coverage profile, instantly (for 17 milliseconds) by changing its rigidity.
 
The competence of the hydraulicization includes maintaining a permanent road lumen - not only during the movement. Try to press on the edge of the C5 trunk, and you will feel like, having a cunning idea, the car raises the feed.
 
The responsibilities of the suspension also includes the struggle against rolls in turns (the seats are not practically deprived of side support rollers). As usual, C5 is very smooth. We would not have used a common comparison with flight on the carpet-plane, but overcoming the bar of obstacles is characterized by an increased level of driving comfort.
 
At the speed of over 110 km / h, for the sake of better controllability and stability, Hydractive presses the body to the surface of the road. Moreover, the front is more than the rear (15 and 11 mm). The speed below 70 km / h car perceives as a signal to magnification of clearance.

 
The driver can intervene in the operation of the suspension. Let's say, increase its stiffness by pressing the sport button or change the road clearance at your discretion. Four options. At a maximum height (40 mm above the middle level) is permissible at a speed of up to 10 km / h, on the next, also off-road, up to 40. As far as such a suspension is expanding the possibilities of C5 and facilitates the life of its owner (changing wheels without a jack), say no Away. And that before the reliability of the chassis - hydropneumatics has a guarantee for five years or two hundred thousand kilometers of run.
 
Well dosage, grab brakes with ABS and an emergency deceleration regulator, slide counteraction system (ASR), selective and fit steering power steering, excellent noise insulation - everything is aimed at improving safety and comfort.
 
Well, the efforts of the manufacturer are rewarded: a reasonable price of a machine that provides a lot of all kinds of benefits, makes an impression on the buyer, and the C5 goes the grab.
 
Specifications Citroen C5 SX
 
Curb weight, kg - 1318
Full weight, kg - 1845
Dimensions (Length / Width / Height), mm - 4618/1770/1476
Base, mm - 2750
Maximum speed, km / h - 202
Overclocking time up to 100 km / h, C - 12.3
Fuel control, l / 100 km, mixed cycle - 8.6
Volume of fuel tank, l - 66
Engine:
- Type - gasoline, inline, 4-cylinder., 16-valve.
- Working volume, cm3 - 1997
- Power, hp at min-1 - 138/6000
- torque, nm at min-1 - 190/4100
- Power system - multipoint injection
Transmission - automatic., 4-speed, sequential, adaptive KP, front-wheel drive
Tire size - 195/65R15
Wheel suspension: Hydractive III with stabiliz. transverse stability;
- Front - type McPherson
- rear - on longitudinal levers
Brakes: with ABS, distribution. brake. Effort and syst. Emergency braking
- Front - disk, ventilated
- rear - disk
Steering - Rack type, with gur
Price, $ - 24490
 
Text: Igor Kuznetsov
 

A source: Magazine 5 Wheel [06/2001]