CITROËN AUSTRALIA

THE CITROËN C5: Innovative features and equipment Owners expect an increasingly wide array of functions and features in their cars and the C5 has responded with exceptionally high quality.

It redefines the standards governing onboard comfort and quality of life in its category, through constant references to the category above.

Offering superlative roadholding and comfort, the new third generation Hydractive suspension illustrates Citroën’s expertise in running gear technology. The quality of finish, the seat design, acoustic and thermal comfort and level of equipment express a new concept in comfort: to meet the needs of vehicle occupants and anticipate their wishes for exceptional simplicity of use.

The requirements of the customer are at the very heart of vehicle design. The considerable efforts made to improve well-being are reflected in the many comfort and safety features.

Citroën has always been a pioneer in its ability to strike a balance between roadholding and comfort. In 1989, the Citroën XM became the world’s first production vehicle to be fitted with intelligent hydraulic suspension. Named Hydractive, the system adapted to the driver. Soft or firm as required, with variable springing and damping, it combined comfort and driving pleasure with excellent roadholding. The suspension was managed by a computer receiving information from five sensors. The driver could activate a command on the central console in order to keep the suspension firm (“sport” mode). In this case, it would no longer be managed by the computer.

In 1993, the Xantia was equipped with Hydractive II. The second-generation version had triple the computing power. With Hydractive II, the driver was able to modify the rules governing the automatic changeover from one mode to the other. This changeover could be made according to two strategies and no longer just one, as on the first Hydractive system.

He could select :

the automatic “comfort” position for a smooth ride,

the automatic “sport” position managed by the computer for a sportier and more dynamic ride.

With Third generation Hydractive, Citroën has once more proved its commitment to bringing customers the benefits of the Citroen’s cutting-edge technology in suspension design.

Combining the latest developments in electronics with a revised and simplified hydraulic architecture, Third generation Hydractive is the most comfortable, reliable and efficient suspension system in the world. With its “auto-adaptive” capabilities, it is able to make a precise analysis of road conditions and the driver’s style, adapting vehicle height to the state of the road and the current speed.

This new suspension comprises:

a built-in hydroelectronic unit (BHI) at the heart of the system,

four carrier elements with suspension spheres developed using new technology for exceptional durability,

front and rear stiffness regulators with their sphere,

electric height sensors linked to the anti-roll bars,

a fluid reservoir,

a simplified hydraulic network with new-generation connections.

Endowed with new electronic sensors linked by the multiplexed network to a built-in systems interface (BSI) with considerable computing power, the new “auto-adaptive” suspension is able to make a precise analysis of the state of the road and the driving style of the person behind the wheel.

Third generation Hydractive suspension gives the driver a choice between two settings: comfort and sport. The independent, intelligent control system automatically adjusts springing and damping at the same time. The system is designed to switch in real time from a soft mode, with the emphasis on comfort, to a firm mode, with the emphasis on roadholding according to road conditions and the driver’s style. Through an analysis of the driver’s style, the system is able to customise the changeover from one mode to the other to strike a perfect balance between comfort and roadholding. The driver can also activate the sports setting manually in order to switch more frequently to a firm suspension and thus place the emphasis on sporting performance.

This new suspension features an innovative function: the height of the vehicle varies automatically according to its speed. This function enhances stability by lowering the centre of gravity (by 15 mm at the front and 11 mm at the rear) and reducing fuel consumption by improving Cd. On badly damaged road surfaces, Third-generation Hydractive can increase road clearance by 13 mm for greater ease of movement. The driver can also modify clearance manually by means of an electronic push button.

The fluidity of the new synthetic hydraulic fluid reduces friction and so brings further improvements in comfort. A system of innovative design, Third generation Hydractive requires no maintenance for the first five years or 200,000 km. During this period, the suspension system maintains the same high levels of comfort and safety.

Third-generation Hydractive is uncompromising in its quest for superlative roadholding and comfort. Click here for more information

To optimise comfort on the C5, Citroën made seat design a special priority. The semi-raised architecture of the seats and the upright seating position provide better support for the occupant’s back. The raised position also gives the driver a good view of the road.

The seats are designed to provide comfort at every level:

Pleasant contact. The sitting position is extremely comfortable. Discreet side supports make it easy to slip into the seat, while the soft fabrics and firm padding ensure good support.

Good support for maximum comfort. Everyone will be able to seat themselves squarely on the long, wide seat cushion. The seat back is wide, high and slightly arched at the base for lumbar support. The seat back curves forward at shoulder level, providing good lateral support for the upper part of the back.

Adjustments for passengers of all shapes and sizes. The driver and passenger seats are fitted with “pseudo-parallel” height-adjustable systems, i.e. they are linked to the rake setting of the seat base. This ensures good thigh support for all passengers, from the smallest to the tallest. The seat height adjustment and rake/reach adjustment of the backrest offer a sufficiently wide range of settings to ensure that all passengers can find the most comfortable traveling position.

Headrests are height-adjustable and rake-adjustable at the front. The height can be modified without pressing the adjust button. A locking system stops the headrest from dropping down, notably in the event of impact. The rear headrests can be placed in two positions: a retracted position for increased visibility and a raised position for the comfort and safety of adult passengers.

Filtering of vertical impact. The seat padding has been designed to absorb - or ‘tuned’ – to the residual effects of vertical impact transmitted through the suspension to the vehicle body.

Gently rounded forms ensure ease of movement. Passengers can easily turn around and move their limbs in order to find the most comfortable position.

The steering wheel is height- and reach-adjustable and the armrests are height adjustable for a relaxing and safe driving position.

Acoustics were a major priority in the design of the C5.

A two-pronged approach was adopted to noise. The first task was to eliminate or reduce noises at source. The second was to put in place high-performance soundproofing to prevent the transmission of residual noise.

Wind noise has been reduced to a minimum by the seals on the opening panels and windows, the short, roof aerial, the concealed windscreen wipers and the carefully designed external rearview mirrors.

Particular attention was given to controlling and reducing engine and road noise, and to filtering the noise and vibrations generated by the suspension, power steering and air conditioning.

Soundproofing materials fitted in the bonnet, opening panels, engine and dashboard increase the filtration of noise entering the cabin.

These characteristics work together to create a comfortable environment for the driver and passengers, where they can chat, listen to music and cover several hundred kilometres without becoming stressed or tired.

Climate comfort is excellent, thanks to the heat-reflecting windscreen, tinted windows and fully automatic air conditioning with separate right/left temperature control and built-in sun sensor.

The heat-reflecting windscreen is composed of a sheet of metal inserted between two sheets of glass. The metal effectively refracts external heat and can ensure that the interior temperature is up to 30·C lower than with a conventional tinted windscreen.

The sun sensor measures the strength of the sun’s rays, enabling the air conditioning system to compensate almost instantaneously for the effects of direct sunshine on passengers.

Adding to passengers’ comfort, the air fan controls the temperature in total silence. The sun sensor is also capable of distinguishing between day and night. At night, the A/C system automatically raises the temperature slightly, because the human body requires an additional 1· C at night to feel the same comfort as during the daytime. In addition, the air conditioning system has separate right/left temperature settings, so that both front occupants can adjust the temperature independently. The air temperature on the passenger’s side is calculated on the basis of the setting entered by the driver.

The system continuously monitors the temperature of the air in circulation, checking that it is at the level required to maintain the cabin at the correct temperature. If this is not the case, the system immediately adjusts the temperature before the passengers notice any change.

Two air-conditioning management software programmes have been developed to meet the specific requirements associated with different types of climate. Physiological requirements in terms of temperature control vary with the climate. People in hot regions want a lower ambient temperature than people living in temperate areas. The different software control programmes have therefore been adapted to the specific requirements of these two main population groups.

A double sun visor allows occupants to shield themselves from sun coming in from the front, the side, or from both directions at once. This makes it unnecessary to carry out awkward and dangerous adjustments when cornering.

The C5’s dashboard forms a double arch intersecting in the centre. A clear distinction is made between the two areas dedicated to the driver and the front passenger and the central section, which is easily accessible to both. This central section contains the shared functions. All the materials used for the dashboard were selected for their qualities in terms of luxury, comfort and well-being.

The dashboard respects the highest possible standards in ergonomics. The objective is to make functions easy to use and to enhance safety. For example, the multi-function screen is located at the top of the dashboard, where it is accessible to the passenger and where the driver can see it without taking his eyes off the road. The audio and air conditioning controls are mounted on the front of the console, within easy reach. The commands for the power windows and electrically controlled rearview mirrors are placed on the elbow rest of the driver’s door for maximum convenience. And to reach the door handle the driver simply raises an arm.

All comfort functions have simple, practical controls so that the driver can use them while keeping his attention on the road. They include two-way window controls, twist knobs for the temperature setting, and audio, phone and cruise control commands at the top of the steering column, just below the steering wheel.

The knob for the sunroof is fitted with a one-touch system to open, tilt and close the roof. An anti-pinch mechanism is also provided. Different opening positions can be programmed in advance and the driver then simply turns the knob to one of the pre-programmed settings to open the sunroof. The roof closes automatically if the control is returned to the 0 position.

The new horizons opened by the use of the sensors, multiplexing and the BSI (built-in systems interface) have made it possible to develop a broad range of features to enhance comfort, driving pleasure and safety.

The black panel function reduces the light given off by the instruments to make night driving less tiring on the eyes. The speed of the intermittent front and rear wipers varies with vehicle speed. The front wipers are fitted with a rain sensor and so come on automatically.

The automatic lights-on system is equipped with two light sensors, one pointing upwards and one pointing towards the front of the vehicle. These sensors transmit information to the BSI, enabling it to identify night, day, a tunnel or an underpass. In this way, the dipped-beam headlamps come on automatically at nightfall or when the car enters a tunnel, but not when it is in an underpass. They are switched off automatically at daybreak. The headlamps also come on automatically if the BSI detects sweeping movements of the windscreen wipers activated by rain. When the windscreen wipers are no longer in use, the lights switch off automatically during the daytime.

The main headlamps of the C5 are fitted with wide-surface reflectors for maximum efficiency. The foglamps are built into the headlamps, which are fitted with H4 lamps for dipped-beam and fog functions, and H7 lamps for the high beam function. The Exclusive models have xenon lamps for the dipped-beam cornering lights and an H1 lamp for the high-beam function.

The hazard lights come on automatically if the car suddenly brakes at medium or high speed. They switch off when the vehicle accelerates again or if the driver presses the hazard lights button.

The C5 V6 is fitted with continually variable speed-linked power steering. The power steering circuit is independent of the suspension circuit. ABS with an electronic braking force distributor and emergency braking assistance are standard on the C5.

The electric windows are raised or lowered by a one-touch function. They are also fitted with an anti-pinch mechanism. The sunroof has the same features. It also has six programmable slide settings and three tilt settings. The windows and roof close automatically if it rains.

The C5 has an optional electronic parking aid to help drivers manoeuvre safely. Four sensors on the rear bumper detect any obstacles. At the same time, a beep sounds at the rear of the vehicle.

The frequency of the beep increases as the vehicle approaches the obstacle, changing into a constant tone when the object is just a few centimetres away. The system is automatically activated when the C5 is put into reverse gear.

The C5 detects low tyre pressure, a safety-enhancing and reassuring feature for occupants. Each tyre valve is fitted with a sensor. If one of these sensors detects a fall in pressure, an alarm is triggered and a message appears on the central multi-function screen.

The C5 is equipped with three-button HF plip control. The first button is used to lock and locate the vehicle, the second unlocks the vehicle, while the third operates the windows and sunroof. By pressing the third button several times in succession, the user can close all the electric windows and the sunroof, open them slightly to air the car, or open them wide.

If the vehicle is unlocked using the plip and none of the doors or the boot is opened in the next 30 seconds, the vehicle locks again automatically. This protects the car if it is opened accidentally.

As soon as the vehicle starts to move, the boot locks automatically to protect against theft. When the car stops, the boot remains locked until a door is opened or the plip control is used.

When the driver switches the engine off, the electric window and seat controls remain active for 30 seconds.

The multiplex electrics provide a host of features to enhance comfort and safety, for example: interior lighting control, radio volume varied according to vehicle speed, external rearview passenger mirror indexed to the reverse gear, external rearview mirrors that fold away automatically when the vehicle is locked, windscreen wipe function activated after the wash function, front wiper rate adjusted when the car comes to a halt, automatic cut-off of energy-consuming functions such as the radio and lighting 30 minutes after the engine is switched off.

Placed in an ergonomic position on the dashboard, the multi-function screen supplies radio information as well as data from the onboard computer. Moreover, with a view to giving the driver an increased sense of responsibility, a speed warning can be programmed to go off when the speed is reached. The screen also shows the functions activated and displays clear messages to explain the meaning of warnings. A buzzer also sounds.

Users increasingly want to be able to receive information in their cars and to be able to communicate with other people. Responding to this need, the C5 is fitted in Europe with two high-performance navigation systems.

The navigation system with a black and white screen uses voice synthesis to guide the driver, who is therefore able to keep his eyes on the road. The directions are also displayed on the multifunction screen. With its clear and simple menu, the system is eminently user-friendly.

The navigation system with a 7-inch colour screen in 16/9 format displays a map showing the position of the car. A powerful computer displays a high-quality colour image in a very short time. A video input in the glovebox makes it possible to watch a video when the car is at a standstill.

Extending the system developed on the Xsara Windows CE, an Auto PC will be optional in Europe on the C5. In this case, the car will be equipped with a PC running under Windows CE. A system of voice recognition and synthesis will control several functions : hands-free telephone use, navigation, radio, CD player and address book.

The C5 is also fitted with a radiophone (in the space usually occupied by the single CD player). The car radio includes a tuner and telephone unit with a microphone in the cabin roof to permit hands-free use of the telephone. When calls are made, the car radio is automatically muted and the call is transmitted through the radio loudspeakers. A list of stored phone numbers can be viewed on the multi-function screen, while the “make call”, “take call” and “hang-up” commands can all be controlled from the steering wheel.

For customers who choose not to have a radiophone or Auto PC, the C5 is equipped with pre-wiring for a phone, including notably a dual-function radio-telephone antenna. This pre-equipment facilitates the installation of a hands-free system.

The onboard computer provides standard information, such as range, distance covered, and average or present consumption. It also incorporates an excess speed function.

The C5 has a CD audio system with six loudspeakers, steering-wheel mounted controls and volume indexed to vehicle speed. And for those seeking to get the most from the C5’s superb acoustics, Citroën has teamed up with JBL to design a special audio hi-fi system comprising an amplifier, 10 specific loudspeakers and an 6-CD autochanger.

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