Jan 7, 2012

New Citroen C5 1.6 HDi E-, test drive




"Creative Technologie" (Creative Technology) is the translation of the famous slogan that accompanies many years any kind of advertising the Citroen and the extra factor that the French company has always tried to instill in their car. Maybe twenty years ago or so, this "slogan" was not well suited to present a car, given that 95% of the houses was not able to justify such a slogan with a simple car, because the true technology, such as understand it today, was about to take its first steps and therefore not yet able to "invade" and "influence", as now, any design ideas, and consequently the car over. But Citroen has never been part of that 95%, but its "creative technology" has allowed her to isolate herself from the competition and to enter the narrow 5%. In fact, the Parisian house has always been accustomed to his famous "Creative Technologie "since the middle of last century, specifically since 1955 when it was presented the legendary Citroen DS (a brand new line again today thanks to the DS), creative, due to its revolutionary line for that time that made ​​her look like a shark (which later became the nickname of the DS), and technology, thanks to the new system of hydropneumatic suspension to constant weight capable of dramatically raising the car at the time of starting.



The pioneering and innovative spirit was then used for the production of the Citroen CX and SM in 1970 (which replaced the DS) in 1975, until you get to the most recent epoch like ours, where the continuous development of technology applied to Citroen cars allowed to continue to innovate the market thanks to the lifelong pursuit of the "Creative Technologie" so beloved by the French house and clearly visible in recent models, like the DS3, the C4, C5 and the DS4.

Perfect and then make something better already made is a sign of great development, development is an element, a factor or perhaps a credential that every car manufacturer should have the right to obtain adequate importance and visibility in a market like that of 'car. The Citroen has seen fit to show its great development, as well as the creation of innovative and brand new car models (DS 3, DS 4), perfecting "a thing already done" before. What? It is the new Citroen C5, a car born in 2000 with the intent to place on the high end of the D-segment car, which over the years has undergone one major change: that of 2008 which marked the birth of the second series of C5, on which the Citroen at the end of 2010, as attested to by the great success achieved so far, has decided to extend its range with changes of style and technology. The addition of LED lighting package consisting of front access at any driving condition characterized by the rear lights and new effect "Dark crystal", with a clear section in the middle, it gives more light and elegance to the car.

Exterior styling
The innovation of both front and rear lights is just one of many qualities that distinguish the outer line of the new C5. The dimensions are those of a large sedan with three volumes (4.78 m long, 1.86 m wide and 1.45 m high). It is these three volumes to be loads of refinement, lightness and dynamism, three credentials that envelop the entire silhouette of the car. The search for a slight aerodynamic style allows the C5 to appear in the public eye as a refined or elegant coupe sedan. The wide front is characterized by generous air intakes and fog lights as well as by no means small, the latter able to propel the chrome then the center of the front will become the symbol of the Citroen double chevron. The line of the first volume continues a dynamic and elegant in the central part where the chrome door enhance the style of the car. The line and the cutting of the branches is the result of a meticulous and careful attention to detail, like the shape of the mirror, reclining electrically, which are perfectly integrated with the rest of the car. The choice of the position of the side direction indicators (below the "neck" of the mirrors) turns out to be apt and appropriate to the style of the car, which culminates in the back, perhaps the most beautiful book, thanks to its impressive line and shape but both stylish chrome softened by a line that marks the cut of the hood and new taillights. Finally, the step of 2.82 meters left to imagine a generous interior. Interior: elegance meets technology The chapter on the interior of the new Citroen C5 is certainly the richest and greatest, and could only be so, since that, in the interior of the car, as well as the sophistication to find a refined, dynamic and bright as the outside, staying all electronic systems and security result of the continuing development of automotive technology. The first impression you get when you step onto the new C5, is to enter into a large control room with a comfortable seat from which to operate each camera, light and sound show in progress. In fact the interior of the C5 offers the driver comfort in terms of high-end technology, each device accommodates perfectly fine in the dashboard of the car in such a way as to give even that style to the interior of large sedan. The words of Jean-Pierre Ploué, director of the Centro Stile Citroen is confirmed: "Innovation is also about the choice of materials, design of the seats and door panels, the quality and care of the finish throughout the cabin." The sedan and hatchback versions, the new C5 offers two interiors: interior Mistral one color, dark shades, and two-color interior Matinal Mistral / Matinal, refined blend of black and beige. In addition, there is the choice of a smooth high-end (Integral skin, semi-aniline leather and). This skin type is found on many elements of the car: front and rear seats, the dashboard, doors and even the medallions of the center console. Needless to say, this three-volume sedan is very generous in terms of space, the rear passengers will not have trouble finding the right seating position where they are full (three rear passengers), and can easily find space for their luggage in the large bag of 533 dm ³. The capacity has been improved by replacing the spare wheel with a temporary tire repair kit, not much loved by motorists. Comfort innovative technology such does not suppress the comfort of the new C5, in fact from the point of the driver is ergonomically placed perfectly at ease thanks to the two types of front seats, available depending on the level of finish or coating chosen: - Seats "Bien être" that recall the comfort and convenience; - Seats "Dynamique" lines and more marked by the retention which evoke the pleasure of driving.

Especially in the seats that have numerous electric version control to allow the driver to feel at one with the car, also benefiting from the massage function, including in the 'equipment which also includes the "heated seats". The driving position greatly affects the comfort of a car, but of equal importance is also given to the location and function of the steering wheel. Just the steering wheel is one of the hallmarks of creativity marked Citroen. It is a wheel of 2 nd generation Citroën exclusive. And 'possible to access the driving controls (limiter and cruise control functions, management of on-board computer) and commands of comfort normally used by the driver (radio, telephone, central command of the screen) while continuing to keep your hands on the wheel, these are visible at a glance, even at night, thanks to the backlight of the pictograms. On some key references are provided tactile, allowing use without taking your eyes off the road, a good choice in terms of safety, despite being a type of flying perhaps a little 'too innovative to which the driver must be trained, initially will be very pleasant to drive with the steering wheel fixed to the center console. No doubt, however, will focus on driving with no noise other than those chosen by him (navigator or stereo), since the comfort noise has been studied meticulously by Citroen. The new C5 provides a structure for the unusual placement of aerators that, in addition to the stylistic connotation, allow customization of thermal comfort. The automatic air conditioning is standard and includes a soft diffusion system, which surrounds the front occupants of the vehicle with a uniform layer of air. Each of the two front passengers can then arrange their own air conditioning controls, not to mention the rear passengers, which are intended for air outlets, located in the thickness of the central pillars.

The security technology
Regarding the chapter on safety, the new C5 is definitely equipped with high quality products, but especially with electronic security systems of last generation. The braking system comprises ventilated discs at the front, from 304 to 330 mm in diameter and 290 mm ​​rear discs, also to control braking systems (electronic brakeforce distribution, emergency braking assistance), to 'care and control of the trajectory (ABS, ESP) are standard, and ensure optimal control of the vehicle driving in the most delicate situations. The new C5 is equipped with effective means of restraint for each occupant, with three mounting points for seat belts. The front seatbelts are height adjustable, and benefit from pyrotechnic pre-tensioners and a system of effort limitation. The five seats are equipped with a monitoring system that alerts the driver with visual alarms (with a graphical representation of the vehicle on the console screen of the attic) and sound if the seatbelts are not fastened. It 'a very effective control system, in particular to ensure that children seated in rear seats have seat belts fastened. For an optimum passive safety, the new C5 are seven airbags as standard, which can be supplemented by two additional side airbags in the rear, available as an option. The driver and front passenger are protected by front and side airbags for the thorax and pelvis. The driver's side front airbag is optimized in shape, thanks to the central part of the fixed wheel. In addition, a driver's knee airbags enhances protection of the shins and knees, reducing the impact against the steering column. The latter is also retractable for 65 mm. In conclusion, Citroen has introduced another innovation in the field of security, it is a system designed to organize and accelerate the emergency response in case of accident, the Citroën Emergency service is activated manually or automatically with the electronic system NaviDrive available on the new C5.

In emergency situations (if you are witnesses or victims of an accident with injuries, etc. in case of aggression.), This service allows vehicle occupants to be in contact in their own language, with a platform for specific assistance . The call can be started automatically as a result of impact, or manually by pressing and holding the button to "SOS". If the driver is unable to speak and show the need, the vehicle is identified and located with GPS and relief are systematically sent in place, allowing you to gain precious minutes. Available in 8 countries of Europe, on 24 and 24 hours 7 days out of 7, this free service is intended to reduce emergency response times, thus saving lives.

Driving sensations and suspension
comfort seat "a la carte", undoubtedly makes the driving experience very pleasant and relaxing. The trains of the new C5, which takes the technical solutions applied on C6, provide comfort and road holding of the highest level. Its road manners are exemplary in all circumstances, and even on rough or humps. The accuracy of direction in dealing with a curve, combined with the fluidity when maneuvering, steering provide a reference. This is made ​​possible thanks to the innovative suspension which will power the new C5, in fact for the first time in this segment have been proposed two types of suspension. A standard suspension is added to the offer of suspension Idrattiva III +. This allows the new C5 offers dual meet any need for sensitivity in terms of driving, always with the benefit of experience on Citroen suspension. The new C5 is therefore proposing a level of comfort rare and worthy of a grand tourer, great dynamism, agility, steering comfort and road holding high-level. The front and rear, combined with the latest innovations within the control of the trajectory driven systems allow the vehicle a flawless level of active safety. This suspension is available since the end of the input range of the new C5. The suspension of the new C5 + Idrattiva III resolves the conflict between comfort and grip the vertical body, adapting to various situations. It provides for two states of stiffness and damping, which allows management of the forces of the suspension in real time for optimum adaptation to the stresses of the road and the driver. The sensors of the vehicle (steering wheel angle, level of acceleration and braking, the wheel excursion ...) allow to reconstruct in real-time vehicle dynamics, and was driving the transition between flexible and rigid state. So, when the vehicle is not requested, the suspension is mainly in how flexible when requested by the driver or from the road, switches to more rigid. With a command on the center console can also be accessed with a "Sport" mode, perhaps too ambitious for such a machine, which allows the driver to select a more dynamic behavior, favoring the maintenance of the vehicle body with respect to comfort. Engines Leaving aside momentarily the many standard accessories and many options, the new C5 range offers engines adapted to a wide clientele, even if those do not offer great performance basis in terms of speed and acceleration but surely pay off in terms of consumption


The customer can choose between three petrol engines: 
- 127 bhp DIN 1.8i 16V (92 kW EEC), coupled with a 5-speed manual transmission; 
- 2.0i 16V 143 bhp DIN (103 kW EEC), coupled with a manual transmission 5-speed automatic or a 4-speed; 
- 3.0i V6 with 215 hp DIN (155 kW EEC), coupled with a 6-speed automatic transmission.
Four diesel engines:
- HDi 110 DPFS (80 kW EEC), coupled with a change manuale5 relationships; an engine maybe a little 'too small for a sedan like that, fortunately, is not the only engine available on the new C5, 
- HDi 138 FAP (100 kW EEC), coupled with a 6-speed manual transmission; 
- HDi 173 DPFS (125 kW EEC), coupled with a 6-speed manual gearbox or automatic 6-speed; 
- V6 HDi 208 FAP (150 kW EEC), coupled with a 6-speed automatic transmission.

In addition, Citroen C5 inaugurates the new micro-hybrid technology, for application of different models of the range. Initially it is combined with the 1.6 HDi 110 FAP engine (the one we tried), maybe an engine underpowered for a sedan of its kind, and the manual gearbox with paddles behind the wheel driven CMP6. Fortunately this is only an initial choice, from the moment the association 1.6 HDi 110 DPFS with an automatic transmission / sequential in terms of performance is poor. Remember, however, that the application of this new technology on a diesel engine is a world first in the road cars. Micro-hybrid system is composed of the Stop & Start second generation, which uses a reversible alternator performance optimized and offers significant advantages in terms of consumption: 
- Power increased by 70% compared to the first version: now reaches 2.2 kW 
- integrated electronics Prices One of the most obvious things in the moment of final decision by the customer is that the decision is conditioned by the "price factor", which almost always has importance far greater than any particular technical or appearance of the car. So every car company must balance its "request money" in relation to the product offering but also taking into account the range of customers targeted by the new C5. In this regard Citroen seems to have weighed his request, although they're still talking about important figures for a car, but not for a car of that segment. In fact, the price starts from 25,351 euros of "C5 1.6 VTi 120 CMP6 Seduction", up to 40,601 euros to the "C5 3.0 HDi 240 Auto. Executive "(the true cutting edge of the range C5, with a V6 diesel engine that emits 241 HP well to a top speed of 240 km / h). There are numerous versions, integrated engine start at 7. As one can easily imagine it comes to prices far from those required by the big leaders in high-end segment and not just D (Mercedes, Audi and BMW), for which the choice of the C5, which is more economically advantageous, plus you are sure to focus on innovative car (the factor in more than a Citroen) and good quality.

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