Citroen C5 VTX+
Sometimes youve just got to feel for the poor put-upon company car driver. Beset by taxes and fire-breathing bosses, these poor souls are condemned to wander the length and breadth of the countrys motorway network from meeting to meeting, client to client, service station to service station. To top it all off, the cars they get to bear them on their endless quest are rarely anything to write home about. Entry-level specification and uninspiring engines are the norm.
Its a sad state of affairs but Citroen are aiming to ease the company car drivers burden with their C5 VTX+.
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The VTX+ is targeted specifically at the fleet sector and user-chooser company car drivers in particular. There are a pair of engines on offer and, predictably, neither is a 210bhp 3.0-litre V6. Citroen are prudently offering their 110bhp 1.
6-litre HDi common-rail diesel engine with the VTX+. Performance may not be overly thrilling but the 177lb/ft of torque at 1,750rpm makes for a usefully muscular mid-range and together with the units strong refinement, this renders the VTX+ an accomplished motorway cruiser. CO2 emissions of 145g/km place the engine right up with the cleanest diesels in the class and 52mpg fuel economy puts it amongst the most efficient. Those seeking more oomph will go for the 2.
2-litre 173bhp model with its 8.2s 0-60mph acceleration and 46mpg economy but 160g/km CO2 emissions.
"The VTX+ is targeted specifically at the fleet sector and user-chooser company car drivers in particular"
The specification of the VTX+ models will really raise some eyebrows, even amongst brow-beaten executives. When the fleet manager has his hand on the company purse strings, low spec, bargain basement models are usually on the agenda but increasingly, user-chooser company car drivers are being given a budget to select their own vehicle. This is where the C5 VTX+ comes into its own. Fitted as standard with the colour screen NaviDrive satellite navigation and telematics system, it has obvious appeal.
Not only will it make reaching those appointments in far-flung, unfamiliar places that much easier, the system also includes a hands free telephone, traffic alerts, voice activation and a function for reading back SMS text messages. NavDrive is by no means the sum total of the VTX+ equipment quota. Buyers also receive a 6 CD autochanger, digital air-conditioning, cruise control with a speed limiter and alloy wheels. The C5 has the coveted 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating and its hardly surprising when you count the seven airbags which feature alongside ESP stability control, traction control, ABS with EBD and Brake Assist.
The C5 incorporates Citroens current front-end design, with the narrow aperture of the double chevron grille running the width of the cars nose. The boomerang rear lights look like those from the old Maserati 3200GT blown up to 200% on a photocopier. The front lamps are also a good deal more sculpted than the rather handsome teardrop lamps of this cars predecessor. Xenon dual function lamps turn as the car corners a throwback to the legendary DS.
Some aspects are carried over from the C5s predecessor, Citroen reasoning that theres no point messing with things that work well already. This hatch or estate will ride and corner differently to anything youve ever driven. The credit for this goes to Citroens unique Hydractive 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. The set-up doesnt really lend itself to spirited driving but the comfort of the ride is never in doubt and thats what high mileage company car drivers tend to look for.
Go for the estate version and youll find that the load floor is wide and flat, giving 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 still the widest in class. Now get ready for the best bit.
Citroen are charging just £15,395 for the 1.6HDI C5 VTX+ hatchback and £1,100 more for the estate. Given the specification of the car, that looks a highly generous offer. The C5 cant compete with the class leaders in terms of handling but the ride quality is exemplary.
The 1.6-litre HDi engine isnt the quickest but its economical, refined and emits low levels of CO2 while buyers who want proper performance can choose the 2.2. The C5 already lent itself strongly to the requirements of company car users and with the VTX+ specification adding these high equipment levels and low prices, it has become significantly better.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Citroen C5 VTX+
PRICES: £15,395-£19,195 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 8-14
CO2 EMISSIONS: 145-160g/km
PERFORMANCE: [1.6HDi] Max Speed 118mph / 0-60mph 11.3s
FUEL CONSUMPTION: [1.6HDi] (urban) 41.5mpg / (extra urban) 62.8mpg / (combined) 52.3mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin Front, side and curtain airbags / ABS / ESP
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: [hatchback] Length/Width/Height 4618/1770/1476mm
