Citroen C5 2.7 HDI V6 Exclusive

Nov 20 2008 Jonathan Smith

IF you can't beat them - join them. That could have been Citroen's mission statement when it set about designing the latest C5.

The French firm, famous for the eccentric and quirky, unashamedly took a Germanic route to styling for their new company car favourite. And why not?

After all, the medium to large car sector is dominated by brands like BMW, Audi, VW and Mercedes. Even Ford and GM have major styling studios and manufacturing bases in Germany.

Most people I asked were rather impressed with the new C5. Very different from its rather bland predecessor, it has a strong racy profile with powerful, muscular rear quarters that could have been penned in Ingolstadt or Munich. Of course, the front is dominated by the double chevron which gives the game away somewhat, but the overall effect is of a solid, don't-mess-with-me saloon.

And unlike Renault who have remained faithful to the hatchback in the Laguna, the C5 has a conventional boot as favoured by models like premium arch-rivals Passat and the A4. I drove the top of the range 2.7-litre HDi V6 Exclusive which at £24,695 is several grand less than some of the obvious rivals.

It is, however, quite a lot to pay for Citroen. But the spec bristles with goodies and you do get the longest car in its class with a seriously punchy engine.

The V6 diesel whacks out 208bhp giving the C5 a near 140mph maximum and acceleration to 62mph in just over nine seconds - perhaps a bit less impressive than you might have thought.

But the real strength is in the mid range torque which allows rapid overtaking in the most unflustered fashion. A six-speed sequential automatic transmission makes light work of changes and perfectly complements the mile-eating nature of the Exclusive.

Economy works out at around the 31mpg mark - official combined is 33.6mpg - which is less than ground-breaking for the class.

In areas of quietness, lack of vibration and general refinement the Citroen measures up well to the market leaders. But where BMW and Mercedes, in particular, manage to double up neatly as sports cars, the C5 offers fewer dynamic qualities. Pushed close to the limit, it is less poised with lower levels of road communication. To most buyers, this will be of purely academic interest but those used to the fluidity of say a 3-Series or the newest C-Class will be aware of the difference.

The boot carries 439 litres of luggage and although there's no hatch, the rear seats fold and split to adapt for awkward loads. The Exclusive is packed with gizmos to entertain and amuse, such as electric tilt-slide front seats, parking sensors, acoustic laminated side-window glass to reduce cabin noise levels, and dual zone air conditioning. It also has Hydractive suspension with ride height adjustment which can be useful in water-logged Britain.

A Citroen would not be a Citroen, though, without the occasional idiosyncrasy. And that could well be the retention of its unique steering wheel with its fixed centre. This is scattered with controls and buttons - too many to my mind.

The latest C5 is sure to succeed where the last model did not, thanks to its exciting styling challenge to the leaders. Beneath that new image is a sound and solid saloon.

FAST FACTS

Citroen C5 2.7 HDI V6 Exclusive

Price : £24,695

Mechanical : 208bhp, 2,720cc, 6cyl petrol engine driving front wheels via 6spd automatic gearbox

Max speed : 139mph

0-62mph : 9.6 secs

Combined mpg : 33.6

Insurance group : 14

CO2 emissions : 223g/km

BiK rating : 31%

Warranty : 3yrs/ 60,000 miles, 3yrs paint, 12 yrs anti-rust