Test Drive Citroen C5 Sedan since 2008 Sedan

Napoleonic plans

The Citroen-C5 shown at the Geneva Motor Show spawned a mass of rumors. How he will arrive in Russia, found out Vladimir Solovyov. Photo by author.
Meeting with a novelty I have, the owner of Citroen-C5 of the outgoing generation, caused contradictory feelings. On the one hand, I did not want to admit that I was not already going on the most recent model, and to search for evidence that the old C5 was not so bad at all, but in something not worse than the young. On the other hand, it would be necessary to estimate the better newcomer and how justified the cost of a new, more expensive car. However, I will leave my feelings with you. In the end, this is not a comparative test, but a presentation.
Large battalions are always right
So used to say with the commander Emperor France Napoleon Bonaparte. His wisdom is alive and today. To succeed, the creators of the new C5 made it longer, wider, increased the wheelbase. In size, the Frenchman came up to the prestigious BMW of the 5th series, Mercedes E-class and Audi-A6. But it is also a measure of the cherished threshold, not wanting to disturb the famous gentlemen. It seems that In the weight, the newcomer also added a little.
High body line, clearly drawn circuits of wheeled arches and sidewalls indicate a desire to light up in the class of status cars. This is also indicated by the technical indicators of the French novelties. But, alas, the new five one has to lead to the dresses of the senior brothers. The model was created on the platform of C6 of the most representative of the currently produced Citroen and, according to the creators, absorbed all its best qualities. But this fact does not bring anything revolutionary.
In terms of engines, the large battalion of Cee-Fifths put all the same well-known gasoline motors 1.8, 2.0 and 3.0 liters (127, 143 and 215 hp) and diesel engines 2.0 and 2 , 2 l (138 and 173 hp). The main caliber will be awarded from the Bar's shoulder C6 six-cylinder V-shaped diesel 2.7 liters, 208 hp Surprisingly quiet and tracked, he liked me two years ago at the presentation of the Citroenov Six.
I do not know what the French emperor would say about the engines, but it is known for certain: he loved to repeat that in the wreck of every soldier lies
Marshall Rod
The ritual wands moved into the past, but the stars of the highest committee can climb on the pursuit of newcomers thanks to the depotable design of the body and the interior, the original Citroenov solutions. This, for example, a concave rear glass, although not new (applied on a number of models, including C6), but purely Citroenovsky. Or a fixed hub of the steering wheel, which became a corporate dish of Citroen: in comparison with the hub on C4, it not only added in size, but also more carefully worked out and more functional.
Salon new C5, contrary to expectations, no longer. The additional space on which it was legitimate to expect with the increased dimensions of the machine, turned out to be eaten powerful, in the name of increasing passive safety, doors, massive, more comfortable seats. As a result, the width of the cabin at the level of the elbow even slightly decreased: at the level of the front seats from 1538 to 1524 mm, and from behind from 1520 to 1495 mm. After sitting in the cabin on the front and rear seats, I would say that in comparison with the previous model, the costume does not take, but fits. By the way, the front armchairs with stepless adjustment of the tilt of the upper and lower parts of the back ensure enviable convenience of landing, which I would consider the reference. A dense smoke, notice, not so bad, first of all from the point of view of the safety of passengers a fixed body is less susceptible to injury.
Well, reasonably no wonder the emperor of France claimed that, rich (and the new Citroen C5 would obviously won't be a cheap car), a person does not want to expose her deadly danger. Saved life, security Here is the Marshal's rod, which in his Racing Cee-fifth, who received the highest rating of 5 stars on Euroncap.
Air battle with iron
For what I love my CE-Fifth and this argument became decisive when buying in a dispute with a similar crossover, it is for its suspension. It is soft, but not roll and very comfortable. The smart Citroen suspension itself controls the stable horizontal position of the body, no matter how much it would be loaded. Plus, the changing road clearance: in the upper position of the body it reaches a spent respect of 240 mm. It turns out a car for all occasions.
New Citroen C5 inherited all the best features of the predecessor. In this, I personally became convinced by trading the day at the surroundings of Lisbon and Portuguese outback. The newcomer even went on. Its hydropneumatic suspension, the name of the hydraulic III +, is even faster for changing road conditions, has a sports mode that increases the rigidity of communication with the road. Previously, the Sport button was only in the most expensive equipment.
But I had a chance to ride and on another CE-fifth, without a hydraulic, on ordinary twisted springs. Spring suspension Unlike hydropneumatic, creators themselves are called metal. Undoubtedly, this suspension is tougher, but quite comfortable. According to behavior, it resembles German cars, C5 takes turns very collected and clearly. But the feeling of real Citroen disappears on the iron suspension. Yes, managed well, but the smoothness is missing. C5 with iron will be familiar with people who are not sophisticated Citroen wisdom with suspension, and at the price of these cars will be more attractive.
What is this treason tradition? Rather, a marketing move that allows you to fasten German competitors. French Hydropneumatics and Metal against German Iron!
The main thing is to do
To do, of course, in a major battle, and there will be clear there, he said Napoleon Bonaparte, and conquered the whole of Europe. Perhaps the Citroen does not wear such ambitious plans, but if they manage to press automakers from Germany in the class of prestigious cars, it will become a notable event. At the factory in Rennes, the CE-Fifth assembly was already involved there. The question of whether Moscow will be able to take, remains open. What will be decisive in disputes for the hearts of Russians: the wide range of modern diesel engines proposed for the first time, which has proven its performance on Russian frosts of hydropneumatics or relatively inexpensive iron? The weight of these arguments will show time. Russian sales start already in May. _x0008_
Citroen C5, offering an interesting design, high quality finishes and a large arsenal of technical solutions, claims a decent place among prestigious models.
Jean-Batist Toma Citroen Representative Office in Russia:
Following the sedan, the C5 Tourer wagon will comprise to Russia, it will happen in July. The newness for Russia will be the appearance of Citroen with diesel engines. Along with the gasoline 1.8, 2.0 and 3.0 liters of V6 to Russia will supply cars with dieselks of 2.0, 2.2 and 2.7 liters. But a diesel engine of 1.6 liters in the Russian market will not be. Such machines are designed for France, Portugal and other European countries whose legislation encourage small volumes of engines. In Russia, Citroen will introduce two versions of C5 with a hydropneumatic and conventional spring suspension at once. According to our estimates, the latter will be interested in about a quarter of buyers C5. These will be the cheapest version of 1.8 and 2.0 l, which will find demand in the regions. But the main sales will come to more powerful versions with a hydroactive suspension. For our diesel engines, we are not afraid, they will cope with frosts if only fuel did not stripped. Like gasoline, they are started at -30s. Our C5 should be perceived in quality as the best German cars with the dynamics and quality of the interior decoration, but remain at a price at the level of more mass producers from Europe and Japan. I hope they will enjoy in Russia.
Vladimir Solovyov
 
 

 

Source: Journal "Behind the wheel"