CITROEN’S
impressive-looking C5 was named Semperit Irish Car of the Year in November
2008, but I thought the French company didn’t really exploit that win.
Twelve months
later and with the recession beginning to bite, Gallic Distributors, who had
handled the Irish distribution for Citroen, lost the franchise. The French
manufacturers then took over direct responsibility for Citroen in Ireland, but
they never really seemed to capitalise on their big win. However, I suppose a
good car should do its own PR.
I thought the C5
I drove last week was a beautiful looking motor. I drove an updated 1.6 diesel
version and it was really comfortable. It’s very long and probably could have
done with reversing sensors. Externally the front end with those attractive
headlamps is really eye-catching and there is nothing wrong with the rear end
either. It was really quiet to drive and a joy to travel in.
I drove an
automatic version that also had toggles at the side of the steering wheel if I
wanted to change gears myself. Driving an automatic can be very relaxing, but
in the C5 I could feel every gear change and it certainly was not as smooth as
the gear change in other automatics I have driven. Also on the dial in the dash
there is more focus on the 70 and 90 km/h marks, which is not much use to Irish
motorists, who are always watching out for the 60 and 100 km/h speed zones.
There is a console within the steering wheel that contains a plethora of
controls. It doesn’t move with the steering wheel, but you get used to that in
a day or so.
The C5 has been
with us since 2001 when it replaced the Xantia. The model I drove has been
around since 2008, but has been upgraded recently. A few years back Citroen’s
PR department proÂduced an advertisement for the C5 saying that it was
‘Unmistakeably German, Made in France’ an ad that had the bloggers on
overdrive. Apart from the slow uptake when changing gears I couldn’t find a
fault. The interior is bright, the controls are all within easy reach and well
laid out and there is plenty of leg and head room for five adults. The boot is
massive with a full-size spare wheel.
Despite those
small cribs mentioned above I really enjoyed my week in the C5. I also liked
the way that the mirrors folded in when central locking is applied, which is a
very good idea if you happen to be parking on a narrow street. With the latest
stop-start technology it’s very easy on
‘juice’ and the boot should be well
able to carry your golf clubs or all the shopping you can afford.
In England the
C5 is very popular with caravan-towers who like its adjustable, self-levelling
suspension. However, the C5 is competing in an extremely competitive sector in
Ireland with the likes of Ford Mondeo and VW Passat also vying for sales.
Prices start at
?¬25,390, but the automatic model I drove costs
?¬29,190.
However, Citroen offer discounts and with a customer reward you can get the EGS
automatic version for
?¬26,185. C02 emissions are low and road tax is only
?¬104