18 Oct 07
As for engines, it's the expected line-up of three petrol engines and four diesels. The petrols are a 127bhp 1.8, a 143bhp 2.2 and - unlikely to be sold in the UK - a 215bhp, 3.0-litre V6. The diesels are a 110bhp 1.6 (echoing Renault's fitment of a small, efficient diesel in the similarly bulky Laguna), a 138bhp 2.0, a 173bhp twin-turbo 2.2 and the much-praised 2.7-litre, 208bhp V6 used also in various Jaguars and Land Rovers. Particulate filters are standard.
Trim levels in the UK are likely to be SX, VTR Plus and Exclusive, but this might change before the UK launch early next year. Exclusive versions and the 2.2-litre VTR Plus diesel will get the Hydractive 3 Plus suspension, said to give a calmer, more insulated ride at the expense of some steering crispness, although that can be regained by setting the suspension to its Sport mode. All C5s stand a good chance of being quiet, with lots of soundproofing and laminated side windows as used in the C6.
As well as the saloon, there is, of course, an estate car that's likely to account for about 40% of UK sales. It's 5cm longer than the saloon but is built on the same wheelbase, itself 6.5cm longer than the old C5's. As before, the self-levelling suspension (if fitted) can be lowered via a button in the load bay to make loading easier. The tailgate can be opened and closed automatically, and the load bay is expensively finished with an aluminium threshold.
Both saloon and estate C5s are good-looking cars, rather more shapely and dashing than the deliberately low-key Renault Laguna rival. There's probably enough residual Citroen-ness to keep the good parts of the brand character, but the C5s come across as desirable, good-quality cars in their own right.
Whether the market will take them as seriously as they deserve remains to be seen, but with prices starting around £15,500 they should definitely be on the radar.
