1 Jun 2001
By CHRIS HARRIS
CITROEN’S replacement for the pretty Xantia had none of its style but did feature extensive progress in refinement, safety and space.
A 101kW/176Nm 2.0-litre twin-cam 16-valve four-cylinder engine powered the base five-door hatchback and cavernous C5 wagon, partnered to a four-speed sequential shift automatic or five-speed manual gearbox.
Self-levelling Hydropneumatic (fluid) suspension and front-wheel drive are features, as are dual airbags, anti-lock brakes, side-front airbags and air-conditioning.
The range-topping 140kW/267Nm 3.0-litre quad-cam V6 Exclusive was a four-speed automatic model.
Citroen was also an early diesel advocate, offering an 82kW/255Nm 1.9-litre HDI turbo-diesel four-cylinder unit, in four-speed auto-only guise, in the hatch from the beginning and, from September ’03, on the wagon also.
Two limited editions – the 80th Anniversary from 2003 and the following year’s Limited – included leather upholstery.
