Citroen C5

New C5 scooped

Exclusive images in the current mag show how Citroen is ready to take on Ford's Mondeo by turning on the style...

Auto Express Car Reviews

By Sam Hardy

02nd July 2007

From the outside to the inside, the current mah shows you exactly how the French firm's Mondeo rival will look, months ahead of its official unveiling at the Geneva Motor Show next March.

On sale in mid-2008, the C5 will enter a tough market. With the popularity of family cars falling, makers have had to dig deep to sway buyers.

Ford has produced a stylish, high-quality machine in the form of its all-new Mondeo, and Vauxhall will be sure to do the same with the next Vectra. So Citroen has had to raise its game. Benchmarked against the Audi A4 and VW's Passat, the C5 gets a fresh platform, new air-suspension system and a larger cabin.

But it's the car's styling that will attract the most attention. The all-new model looks striking, mixing C6 design cues with a sweeping shape.

Huge headlights, a vast double-chevron chrome grille and large twin air intakes dominate the front. An elevated rear end, intricate LED tail-lights and the curved windowline help give it a sporty appearance.

A key feature is the concave rear window, echoing the C6 flagship. However, while it's a great design cue, it does mean the C5 will no longer be available in hatchback form. The saloon-only model still promises lots of space and practicality, though. With an increase in wheelbase and overall dimensions, there's ample room for five adults, and the boot is vast.

Following the C4 Picasso's lead, the stylish cabin is a step up in quality. The soft-touch dashboard comprises a digital colour display with handy cubby holes, while the contrasting upholstery adds a real touch of class. The fixed steering wheel - now a Citroen trademark - has also been tweaked, with simplified buttons.

Climate control and a speed limiter are fitted as standard, and the newcomer will also get a whole host of desirable options including a lane-departure warning system, xenon headlights that turn with the wheels, and a head-up display.

The C5 will also have a new air-suspension system called Hydractive 4 - which, coupled with the fresh platform, should ensure the ride quality the marque is renowned for.

Engines will include gutsy but smooth turbodiesels, ranging from a 110bhp 1.6-litre HDI to a 173bhp 2.2-litre unit, with the petrol line-up gaining a 1.6-litre turbo developed by PSA PeugeotCitroen and BMW. Six-speed manual gearboxes will feature on most models, with full and semi-automatic transmissions available as options.

Given the raised ride height and several settings, which include a sport mode, the Citroen should offer a host of different driving characteristics, plus the ability to tackle uneven surfaces. More details about the C5 will be revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, when a concept is tipped to be unveiled.