Citroen C8 Range
With the vast array of new MPVs flooding the market, you could be excused for overlooking Citroëns C8. After all, its been around for a while, having first arrived back in 2002. Since then, manufacturers have become a whole lot smarter when it comes to packing a lot of content into smaller vehicles but when you drive one with all the typical family paraphernalia, you realise that theres no substitute for size. And when it comes to big MPVs, few offer better value than Citroën.
Like its predecessor, the Synergie, the C8 is the result of a joint collaboration between Peugeot, Citroen and Fiat, a collaboration which has also produced the very similar Peugeot 807 and Fiat Ulysse models. Citroen has always been able to trump Peugeot and Fiat when it comes to MPV sales in Britain thanks to deep dealer incentivising with zero per cent finance offers, free insurance deals, big cashbacks and no deposit sweeteners. In short, Citroën has successfully lowered the barriers to purchase and has reaped the subsequent rewards. While the C8 is a relatively common sight on British roads, the 807 and the Ulysse are rare birds indeed. Its worth recalling quite how far ahead of the pack these vehicles were at launch, the C8 being the first large MPV to notch a five star Euro NCAP safety rating for occupant protection. Citroën hasnt been able to rest on its laurels though and a range of revised diesel engines has made the C8 newsworthy once again. Where before there were 110bhp 2.0-litre and 130bhp 2.2-litre diesel powerplants, this time round, Citroën offers only 2.0-litre diesel power, albeit with two higher power outputs of 120 and 136bhp respectively. The older 110hp 2.0HDi 16v version will continue as an automatic only The entry-level 120bhp 16v HDI engine will manage 41mpg on the combined cycle and emits a mere 182g/km of carbon dioxide.
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Prices for these diesel models start at £21,145 for the 120bhp versions and £23,175 for the 136bhp cars, but check whether one of Citroëns periodic cashback schemes is running you could slash up to £3,000 off those prices. Even if it isnt, use that figure as a target point in negotiations. Petrol buyers get the choice of a single 143bhp 2.0-litre 16v powerplant priced from £19,690.
Unfortunately, we dont get the 208bhp 3.0-litre version our friends across the Channel plough the autoroutes with.Trim levels range from LX to SX and Exclusive.
"The seats are mind-bogglingly adjustable in almost every direction"
Some things dont change. The priority of the C8 is still safety, safety and yet more safety. Six airbags are fitted as standard including two side window bags offering protection to passengers in all three rows of seats. As well as anti lock brakes with full electronic brakeforce distribution, the C8 also gets electronic braking assistance, a sophisticated stability control package, low tyre pressure warning and hazard lights that automatically deploy under hard braking.
There are plenty of other obvious large MPV rivals with prices starting from around £19,500, so the C8 will have its work cut out. Still, given Citroëns success with the Xsara Picasso, perhaps it stands a better than average chance of making serious ground on the market leaders. At the very least, it should continue to do better business than its Peugeot and Fiat counterparts, due in no small part to Citroëns attractive package of design inducements. Check out (depending on model) the clever childview rear-view mirror, the triple sunroofs, the swivelling front seats, the refrigerated drinks holders and the fifty or so storage compartments dotted around the cabin. Theres room for up to eight adults and access for them is made easier by the flat floor and the dashboard-mounted gearlever. If luggage rather than people carrying is what you need, Citroens patented Quickfix instant anchoring system will enable you to quickly slide, fold or remove the rear seats for maximum flexibility.
The boot is enormous, with a maximum load capacity of almost 3,000 litres. The C8s interior feels as if Peugeot, Citroën and Fiat were each given individual briefs with a steering committee to fit the pieces together. There are some wonderfully wacky design cues such as the wing-like structure that arcs across the top of the dash, but this sits above a deathly dull sweep of black plastic which itself sprouts a gear shifter and a control panel that appears to bear no design coherence with any of the other parts. Yes, it all seems to work perfectly well, but its somewhat patchy in terms of design. It is in interior look and feel, more than anything else, that the competition has stolen a march on the C8 in the years since its launch.
Whilst you may sniff at the aesthetics, the functionally of the C8 is difficult to fault. The seats are mind-bogglingly adjustable in almost every direction. They spin, fold, slide, detach, you name it they do it. Clap loudly and they even jump through a fiery hoop.
Okay, so we just made that bit up, but the combinations are astonishing. Four-zone air conditioning helps combat the effect of the three (count em) sunroofs. Multiplex wiring allows for such electronic niceties as light sensitive headlamps, automatic windscreen wipers, and speed indexing of the stereo volume as well as rear parking sensors, guide-me-home headlights and remote control operation of the sunroofs, windows, door mirrors and the sliding doors. 7If youre intent on not buying Korean, the Citroën C8 offers undoubtedly the best value in the full-sized MPV sector. Some parts of it are starting to feel a little creaky but the shot in the arm provided by the latest diesel engines is enough to keep it on the highly recommended list, for now at least.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Citroen C8 range
PRICES: £19,690-£25,570 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUPS: 10-13
CO2 EMISSIONS: 182-231g/km
PERFORMANCE: [2.0 HDi 136] Max Speed 118mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: [2.0 HDi 120] (combined) 41mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Six airbags, ABS with EBD and EBA, ESP
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Heightmm 4727/1818/1752
