Citroen C5 VTR Range
Like sex, sportiness sells. Even, it seems, if your product isnt essentially very sporty. For proof, check out the car were looking at here, Citroens C5 VTR.
Even its makers would not pretend that the basic C5 design is one for would-be Schumachers. Instead, its a car designed to cosset its occupants totally, the best-riding, most comfortable car in the Mondeo-dominated medium range sector. Unfortunately, this is not quite enough or so the brand marketers have decided. People buying at entry-level in this market like the option of a sporty look and feel, even if this is not necessarily reflected by the road-going experience on offer.
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You get the picture. Opting for that Sports Pack also entitles you to a sporty (that word again) lower front mesh grille and a rear spoiler. Less eye-catching but arguably more useful standard inclusions run to automatic wipers that decide how fast to go on intermittent wipe and headlamps that switch themselves on and off based on the level of ambient light. Other thoughtful features include a stereo with volume that increases according to your speed and automatic boot locking.
ABS with brake assist, Electronic Brake distribution, six airbags, air conditioning and electric windows also come as standard. The C5 has been the recipient of a facelift in recent times and the revisions have added further to the visual appeal of the VTR models. The double chevron grille is rapidly being adopted right across the Citroen range and now the C5 has it along with boomerang style front and rear lights. Interior quality has also been improved, there are now seven airbags and Citroens directional Xenon headlamps are available.
"Try one for the experience if nothing else.."
There are four engine choices. The 125bhp 1.8-litre 16v petrol unit costs £17,095 but has the disadvantage of not being available either as an estate or an automatic to keep its sporting purity of course. For those privileges (which carry with them a £1,100 or £1,200 respective price premium), youll need to opt for the 110bhp 1.
6HDi or the 138bhp 2.0-litre HDi turbo diesel versions, priced from £17,595. Bear in mind that you can subtract the usual cashback deals to significantly reduce these sums. Despite giving away 15bhp to its petrol counterpart, the 1.
6HDi version feels by far the quicker in day-to-day driving, thanks to the prodigious amounts of mid-range pulling power on offer in almost any gear. Of course, the 2.0 derivative is quicker still. Its not whats under the bonnet that makes this car stand apart however (which is just as well since all the engines are lifted straight from comparable Peugeot models).
No, that honour belongs to Citroens unique Hydractive 3 suspension. Devotees of the marque who owned an XM or a Xantia will know what were talking about here, for both of these cars featured early versions of this system. In its latest form, the advantages of this fluid-sprung set-up over conventional steel springs are almost impossible to ignore. Thus equipped, this C5 can read the road and adapt its ride set-up accordingly, depending on the ground surface, the speed and the way that youre driving.
Sensors strategically located around the car feed information to a central control system that can then change both spring and damper rates as necessary. For example, on bad surfaces below 43mph, the car will be lifted by 13mm to prevent the possibility of grounding out. Over 68mph on a smooth road however, the gadgetry will automatically lower the front of the car by 15mm and the rear by 11mm to reduce drag. You can even choose a raised 40mm position for potholed farm tracks or an even higher setting to make it easier to change a wheel.
On the move, you monitor each state of affairs via a multi-function screen built into the top of the fascia. Theres the choice of normal or sport modes, though drive the car hard and youll find that it switches automatically to sport mode anyway. Where you notice Hydractive 3 most however, is on bad roads or in hard cornering. The worse the surface, the better this car feels (nothing, but nothing at any price rides speed humps better).
Its real party piece however, is reserved for sharp corners. As you enter the bend, you expect the car to start rolling in the normal way except that it doesnt. In fact, all the way through the turn, the body stays absolutely flat. Its a rather weird feeling.
As you might imagine, all this particularly benefits buyers of the spacious estate version. Here, the load floor is wide and flat, giving it a capacity of 563 litres which is the largest in class. More importantly, its possible to exploit that space without significant intrusion from the rear suspension turrets, the Hydractive 3 system being tucked away beneath the floor. This means that the available width of 1176, measured at the narrowest point between the rear tail lights, is the widest in class.
At the wheel, it doesnt feel quite as solid and classy as some rivals (blame the different plastics and mock trim for that) but its not far off. And of course, in keeping with the theme pursued by the rest of the car, its as hi-tech as you could wish. Airbags are everywhere, theres a great trip computer and you can specify voice activation for the stereo as well as for the optional satellite navigation and in-car telephone systems. One particularly nice touch (borrowed from the Peugeot 607) is the way the exterior mirrors fold in automatically when you lock the car.
In a market sector where buyers like to look sporty but prefer a cosseted driving experience out on the road, the C5 VTR will probably do quite well. For that clever suspension system, you can forgive it much. Overall, if youre buying a car of this type, you really ought at least to try a C5 for size. For the experience if nothing else
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Citroen C5 VTR range
PRICES: £17,095-£19,895 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 8
CO2 EMISSIONS: 147-182g/km
PERFORMANCE: [1.8] Max Speed 125mph / 0-60mph 10s
FUEL CONSUMPTION: [1.8] (urban) 27.2mpg / (extra urban) 47.9mpg /(combined) 37.2mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin Front, side and curtain airbags / ABS / EBA / EBD
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: [saloon] Length/Width/Height 4618/1770/1476mm
