CITROËN
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CITROËN
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Technology also features strongly in the Citroën C5, which offers a host of customer benefits.
The pursuit of optimized safety, both active and passive, remains a central concern at Citroën. With its Third generation Hydractive suspension and wide range of safety equipment (including ABS, emergency braking assistance, traction control and six airbags of which two are curtain), the C5 becomes the new safety reference in its sector.
As of the launch date, the range comprises of the 3.0 litre V6 coupled to a manual gearbox or a sequential control auto-active automatic gearbox. Other powerplants will become available at a later date. The Citroën C5 was developed in three years in line with Citroën’s product development charter. The first vehicle to be developed following the reorganisation of the PSA Peugeot Citroën Group, the C5 is the first use of platform three. This will be the basis for all vehicles in the upper middle and luxury segments, notably Citroën’s luxury model heralded by the C6. A total FF 6.9 billion (Euro 1.05 billion) was invested for the C5 programme as a whole, of which FF 3.2 billion (Euro 488 million) in development costs. The installed production capacity at the Rennes-la-Janais site over a full year is 920 vehicles/day, of which almost one-third will be for France. |
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Site design and construction by InterStellar - © 1998-9 & 2000 |
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AUSTRALIA
The styling of the C5, designed to evoke power, vitality and
strength, is the work of the Citroën Styling Centre. Through its
proportions, and more particularly its exceptional height – this being the
most visible illustration of the new architecture – the C5 breaks with
conventional saloon styling to take a major step forward in concepts of saloon
design. 
Consumer requirements have changed considerably since the start of
the 1990s, particularly with respect to interior space, comfort and safety. In
this way, the external dimensions of the Citroën C5 place it at the top
end of the upper mid-range segment on the borderline with the luxury segment.
In terms of length and width (4.62 m and 1.77 m respectively), the C5 is closer
to the XM than the Xantia, but its real originality lies in its height of 1.48
m. These dimensions and the flat
floor pan make the C5 more
spacious than any vehicle to date in this segment. It combines a range of
storage compartments with a large boot (456 litres). The large volume also
provides space for an upright driving position, offering increased comfort and
an improved view of the road. 
The Third generation Hydractive suspension sets new standards in
comfort and road holding. Its intelligent control system manages the two
suspension settings, comfort and dynamic, to vary springing and damping
simultaneously as necessary. Moreover, the new-generation suspension is fitted
with an innovative function that adapts the height of the vehicle to its speed.
This function improves stability by lowering the centre of gravity (by 15 mm at
the front and 11 mm at the rear) and reducing fuel consumption. When the road
surface is badly damaged, vehicle height can increase by 13 mm. A system of
innovative design, Third generation Hydractive requires no maintenance for the
first 5 years or 200,000 km. 
The C5 also uses multiplex
electrics, paving the way for innovative functions offering increased comfort
and safety such as: black panel function, automatic windscreen wipers,
multifunctional onboard computer, automatic lights and hazard warning lights,
detection of low tyre pressure and satellite navigation. The C5 boasts the
latest in onboard technology. 
The C5 reflects a new naming policy, which goes hand in hand with
the revitalization of the Citroën. The names based on this new approach
include the letter C and a figure. The letter marks them as belonging to the
Citroën family, while the figure indicates their position in the range.
These names give the Citroen a higher profile and set its models further apart
from the names used by the competition. Initiated in 1998 with the C3 concept
car, this policy was continued in 1999 with the presentation of the C6. The
positive response from members of the public and automotive specialists
confirmed the choices
made. This approach also reflects the history of the Citroen, which baptized
two models C4 and C6 in 1928. Moreover, this new policy will make it possible
to give personalized names to models with specific targeting, for example the
Pluriel. 
