Citroen C5 Euro NCAP 5 Stars
The distinctive Citroen C5 is the large family car with a personality all of its own. Available in hatchback and estate versions, it combines style, interior space and performance.
Spacious, cushy and different, using one of the most advanced and smooth-riding suspension systems around. Perfect for long motorway journeys and whats more it has plenty of posh-car kit, even in low trim levels.
A range of seven petrol and diesel engines are available to choose from, including the new HDi 173hp DPFS Diesel engine, which sets new standards, combining performance and fuel economy and reducing emissions at the same time, thanks to Citroens award-winning particulate filter. There is a choice of six speed manual or automatic gearboxes. The C5 uses the latest version of Citroens Hydractive suspension, in which gas spheres do the work of steel
springs and dampers. With emissions of only 139g/km the penny pinching 1.6HDi fits in VED Band C. Fuel consumption figures a really good for a large family car with the 1.6 HDi capable of 52.3mpg combined and an excellent 62.8mpg extra urban.
The C5 features an enhanced level of standard, with new-generation ESP to correct the vehicles course with precision and efficiency, and a new steering column airbag to protect the drivers knees and shins. A high standard of safety is promised by also adding front, side and curtain airbags. Anti-lock brakes are standard and the C5 has new front and rear crumple zones. No wonder Euro NCAP awarded the C5 top of the table 5 stars for safety with 36 out of 37 maximum points, which makes it one of the world's safest cars. It also scored four stars for child occupant protection. Additional features Xenon dual-function directional headlamps, front parking assistance, cruise control with
speed limiter and a brand new Lane Departure Warning System that helps prevent drivers from falling asleep at the wheel by detecting unintentional lane changes when the indicators are not activated.
The entry level LX offers fully automatic digital air conditioning system, RDS radio/CD player, leather steering wheel, variable power assisted steering and Trafficmaster and Hydractive 3 suspension. Range-topping Exclusive models get a 6-CD autochanger, electric front seats with folding armrests, xenon dual function directional headlamps, a low tyre pressure warning system, front and rear parking sensors and automatic retractable door mirrors to just name a
few. The VTX+ model introduced in 2006 is aimed at company car drivers and includes sat-nav, metallic paint, automatic headlamps and rain-sensing wipers.
Every new Citroen car offers the benefit of a 3year, 60,000 mile warranty package. There is also a 12 year anti-corrosion warranty against all internal to external perforation to bodywork or underbody.
About the manufacturer
Citroen are taking action at each stage of the product life cycle in an attempt to reduce the effects of their cars on the planet. They are achieving this by managing their industrial sites to high standards, reducing greenhouse gas and pollutant vehicle emissions, and designing recyclable vehicles. Indeed in the space of 20 years Citroen claim to have reduced vehicle
emissions by a factor of between 10 and 20. Whats more they developed the diesel particulate filter system, which destroys the particulates produced by diesel engines.
One of the main natural resources used in the production of cars is water, accordingly Citroen is working hard to reduce this and over the past ten years has invested a total of 2.7 million in
recycling resources. Through this worldwide policy, the Group states it has reduced water consumption per vehicle by an impressive 46% since 1995.
To reduce the amount of waste being dumped in landfill sites etc current Citroens have a recycleability of between 85% and 95%.
The most public and arguably biggest issues facing Citroen (and all other manufacturers) remain the elimination of harmful emissions and the eradication of reliability on the planets ever diminishing natural resources.
To this aim Citroen has already committed toward reducing fuel consumption and co2 emissions through innovations in technologies. Its new HDi engine for example reduces consumption by 20% compared with an indirect injection diesel engine, thereby cutting CO2 emissions by between 90 and 120g/km, depending on the model.
The new Start & Stop system cuts the engine automatically when the car comes to a standstill in neutral (at a red light for example). It then starts up again quietly and instantaneously as soon as the driver takes their foot off the brake pedal. To reduce fuel consumption still further, the Stop & Start system can be coupled with engines that have already been downsized. Launched in 2004, the C3 Stop & Start, can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 15% in heavy urban traffic.
More recently, Citroen committed to develop a mid-range hybrid HDi family vehicle consuming 3.4 litre of fuel and emitting 90g of CO2 per km, with the aim of bringing this vehicle to market at an affordable price by 2010. The advantages of the hybrid HDi are linked to its fuel economy and to its ability to function in all-electric mode in the city. CO2 emissions could potentially be
halved, compared with a petrol vehicle and with the power battery, the vehicle can be driven in electric (zero emission) mode at up to 45 kph with no pollutant emissions and no noise. This is a car that will contribute to quality of life in the city while also being highly versatile.
For more than ten years, PSA Peugeot Citroen has been committed to promoting the use of ethanol in petrol up to 10%. The Group believes that it is the effective way of developing the use of biofuels by widely and rapidly extending it to the entire car range. The implementation of Flex-Fuel technology involves
the adjustment of the engines currently available on the market and PSA Peugeot Citroen plans to launch flex-fuel vehicles in Europe in 2007. These cars will be able to run on all blends of pure petrol and E85 fuel (85% ethanol) and will comply with Euro IV pollution standards. The Group has expertise in this technology, which it has successfully distributed in Brazil since 2005. Today, flex-fuel vehicles make up 80% of Group sales in this market.
The Group is also promoting a type of biodiesel called diester 30, made up of 30% VOME (vegetable oil methyl esters) and 70% diesel fuel. This fuel brings a 22% reduction in particulate emissions from HDi diesel engines. It also helps cut CO2 emissions by as much as 19%.
Finally, a European Directive to address the treatment and disposal of vehicles when they reach the end of their life, was published to the EC Member States in September 2000. To fulfil its obligations under the terms of these regulations, Citroen UK Ltd, has contracted with CarTakeBack.com (CTB), to guarantee that qualifying vehicles will be taken back from the last owner or keeper at no cost.