CINQ WITHOUT TRACE? (some text hidden) --NONE--

BY ANDY ENRIGHT

Introductionword count: 117

This could be history in the making. What we have here is a used car model guide that deals with a large Citroen and contains no close juxtapositions of the words 'catastrophic' and 'depreciation'. Does this mean a new found market respectability for the Citroen C5? Yes and no. Partly because it, in effect, replaced two separate ranges, the Xantia and the XM the C5 mops up buyers from both, so that could well explain its rehabilitation. Part of it must also be attributed to the fact that the C5 is a very respectable offering in its own right. With low mileage used examples now appearing, can we recommend a C5 over, say, a Mondeo? Read on.

Modelsword count: 28

Models Covered: (5dr hatches and estates 1.8, 2.0, 3.0 petrol, 1.6, 2.0 90, 2.0 110, 2.2 138, 2.2 173 diesel [LX, SX, Exclusive, Exclusive SE, VTR, VTX, VTX+])

Historyword count: 228

The C5 was launched at the tail end of 2001 and ushered in a new era for Citroen. Whereas Citroens had traditionally spelt nightmare for the home mechanic, perhaps times have finally embraced the French company's logic. Given the electronic sophistication of today's offerings, all cars nowadays are pretty much beyond the technical competence of your average home mechanic. The playing field, like the C5's suspension, has proved to be self-levelling. Replacing the Xantia range was always going to be a tougher task than superseding the unloved XM series, but the C5 looks to have pulled it off. Three petrol engines and three different diesel units gave buyers plenty of choice and the car was marketed as being chock full of '100% useful' technology. Citroen was the big winner in the UK sales charts in 2001 and early signs indicated that the C5 was being sold in respectable numbers. Late in 2004 a facelifted C5 went on sale. An entry-level 1.6-litre HDI 110 replaced the 2.0-litre 90bhp unit and the 2.0-litre 110bhp was upgraded to 138bhp. A double chevron grille was introduced with 'boomerang' style front and rear lights. Interior quality was also improved and Citroen's directional Xenon headlamps became available. The 173bhp 2.2-litre twin turbo engine was introduced in Summer 2006 just after the arrival of the VTX edition models aimed at the company car market .

What You Getword count: 435

The C5 marks a welcome return by the double chevron people to real innovation after a decade spent cloning in-house Peugeot designs. Make no mistake. Underneath those anonymous looks lies a car that is anything but. You don't have to drive one very far to find out why. This hatch or estate will ride and corner differently to anything you've ever driven. The credit for this goes to Citroen's unique Hydractive 3 suspension. Devotees of the marque who owned an XM or a Xantia will know what we're 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 you're 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. For example, on bad surfaces below 43mph, the car will be lifted by 13mm to prevent the possibility of grounding out. Over 68mph on a smooth road however, the gadgetry will automatically lower the front of the car by 15mm and the rear by 11mm to reduce drag. You can even choose a 'raised' 40mm position for potholed farm tracks or an even higher setting to make it easier to change a wheel. None of this you would expect from a car with styling as, shall we say, conservative as this one. We'd only suggest you give it time to grow on you - and point you towards the estate version (with looks that suit the understated shape rather better). The styling's deceiving too. At first glance, you'd swear it was a saloon when in fact it's a five-door hatch (there's no four-door option). Inside, the well-appointed cabin is as spacious as anything in the class and the 456-litre boot's enormous. At the wheel, it doesn't feel quite as solid and classy as some rivals (blame the different plastics and mock wood for that) but it's not far off. And of course, in keeping with the theme pursued by the rest of the car, it's as hi-tech as you could wish. Airbags are everywhere, there's a great trip computer and you can specify voice activation for the stereo as well as for the optional satellite navigation and in-car telephone systems. One particularly nice touch (borrowed from the Peugeot 607) is the way the exterior mirrors fold in automatically when you lock the car.

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