Underwhelmed by new C5

JohnD · Post by **JohnD** » 22 Mar 2008, 11:30

No Xenon lights on the executive model? £1400 extra for them!!

andmcit · Post by **andmcit** » 22 Mar 2008, 11:57

What everyone is missing is the task the car manufacturers now set
themselves in their quest for that prized 5 star Euro Ncap rating.

With all the built in protection and air bags etc etc the car is bigger fatter
and HEAVIER; in fact in most cases a class size of model up from the car it
usually replaces. To make the front pedestrian 'friendly' when they're mown
down the nose treatment has fixed legislated high points which dictates
the positions of headlights etc etc etc etc.

Any wonder the newer cars are heavier slower bloated versions of their
predecessors and uncannily all alike to look at...

Andrew

Post by **myglaren** » 22 Mar 2008, 12:05

andmcit wrote:What everyone is missing is the task the car manufacturers now set
themselves in their quest for that prized 5 star Euro Ncap rating.

With all the built in protection and air bags etc etc the car is bigger fatter
and HEAVIER; in fact in most cases a class size of model up from the car it
usually replaces. To make the front pedestrian 'friendly' when they're mown
down the nose treatment has fixed legislated high points which dictates
the positions of headlights etc etc etc etc.

Any wonder the newer cars are heavier slower bloated versions of their
predecessors and uncannily all alike to look at...

Andrew

Agreed.
I presumed the look of the current C5 was a result of this. When I first saw them I had an Oh No! moment and I am still not reconciled with the appearance of my C5 although I do prefer the estate to the saloon. The Xantia was far better IMO.

I will admit to liking the new C5 estate though, Teutonic in appearance though it may be.

bencowell · Post by **bencowell** » 23 Mar 2008, 06:24

Sorry but the New C5 scores less in the EuroNCAP tests than the revised Mk 1!!

Old http://www.euroncap.com/tests/citroen_c5_2004/205.aspx
New http://www.euroncap.com/tests/citroen_c5/312.aspx

I wonder where the extra weight is used then?

The Manual 2.2 HDI C6 is 0-60 in 9.6 and weighs 1821kg.
The same engine in the C5 is 10.0 and 1729kg.

I'm still thinking that a year old C6 is better in all ways than a new C5.

andmcit · Post by **andmcit** » 23 Mar 2008, 10:22

Fair point - didn't see that one coming!!

What's interesting how different the new model is to the outgoing
one in the ratings in certain areas; higher for some and lower in
others. Seems Citroen can be inconsistent just like everyone else!

As you say, if the extra baggage the car is carrying isn't for crash
protection, I can only guess it's for the paraphenalia required to
castrate the car's emissions even more with the downside that also
has on performance.

Either that or those metal springs instead of spheres now seen on
the majority of the range must be damned heavy!

I won't disagree that the year old C6 would be my preferred choice
over the new C5 mind, it's far more individualistic with more presence
and head turning ability; just as well it's the top of the range and not
the new C5!

Andrew

lolingram · Post by **lolingram** » 24 Mar 2008, 09:29

Amen...

I'd settle for a handsome competent modern Xantia - new C5 anyone?

Andrew