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An entire new car range with the new Xsara and the new
Citroën C5
The 2001 Brisbane
International Motor Show - 9-18 February 2001 - will be one
Citroën’s most significant shows in Australia with the replacement of
its entire car range.
Star of the Citroën
stand will be the Citroën C5, an all-new medium size luxury sedan that
will go on sale in Australian later in 2001. This technical tour de force -
even for a company such as Citroën that is renown for its technology -
demonstrates a range of technology from its remarkable suspension to its
computer-based electrical system that puts it years ahead of other
cars.
The Citroën Xsara
receives a major update for 2001 and as well as the five door version that has
been a major sales success for Citroën over the past three years, the
Brisbane Show will see the launch of the Xsara Coupe, both which will have gone
sale in Australia just as the show’s doors open to the public. The Xsara
five door and Coupe share a stylish new front, new engines and a substantial
upgrade in equipment and features.
“There
aren’t many car makers that come to a motor show with an all-new car
range,” says Miles Williams, General Manager for Citroën in
Australia. “Let alone a range as technically advanced, stylish and
versatile as the new Xsara and the Citroën C5. It demonstrates
Citroën’s commitment to Australia and offers one of the most
interesting displays at the 2001 Brisbane International Motor
Show.
The Citroën
C5 is the latest illustration of Citroen’s renewed vitality, expressed
notably by the Xsara Picasso, the C3 and C6 concept cars and the Pluriel
demonstrator vehicle. Reflecting the same strategy, the C5 features innovations
in styling, design, living space and technological content.
The styling of the C5,
designed to evoke power, vitality and strength, is the work of
Citroën’s Styling Centre. Through its proportions, and more
particularly its exceptional height - this being the most visible illustration
of the new design - 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 medium
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 Citroën XM than
the Xantia, but its real originality lies in its height (1.48
m).
These dimensions and the
flat floorpan make the C5 more spacious than any vehicle to date in this
segment. It combines a range of storage compartments with a vast boot. The
large volume also provides space for a semi-raised driving position, offering
increased comfort and an improved view of the road.
Technology also features
strongly in the Citroën C5, which offers a host of customer
benefits.
The third generation
Hydractive suspension sets new standards in comfort and roadholding. 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 pursuit of optimised
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 bags), the C5 becomes the new safety
reference in its segment.
The C5 reflects a new
Citroën naming policy, which goes hand in hand with the revitalisation of
the marque 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
Marque 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 Citroen, which baptised two models
C4 and C6 in 1928. Moreover, this new policy will make it possible to give
personalised names to models with specific targeting, such as the
Pluriel.
The Citroën C5 will
be displayed with the 152 kW 3.0 V6 with the choice of a manual gearbox or a
sequential control auto-active automatic gearbox. The Australian range will be
completed by a new 2.0 litre engine to be launched in 2001, when local
specifications and prices will be announced.
The new Citroën
Xsara
New exterior styling, additional equipment, new engines and
increased safety are the hallmarks of the new Xsara coupes and hatches that go
on sale at the Brisbane International Motor Show.
At the front, the new
bonnet features a grille with a prominent Citroen chevron badge and new tear
drop shaped clear-lens headlamps, designed to provide around 20 per cent more
light on low and high beam. The headlamps also have a fog function on all
models.
At the rear, the
reprofiled bumper and wings give the Xsara a harmonised finish. The pushbutton
opening on the boot has been replaced by a handle that is more in keeping with
the overall design, while the new number plate surround sports an elegant
chevron badge in the centre. The 15-inch wheels and broader front and rear
track complete the new exterior features of the Xsara.
The interior styling of
the Xsara places the focus squarely on driving pleasure and well-being. The new
interior trim materials enhance the vehicle's sophisticated, modern styling.
From the easily accessible controls to the new display units and their wealth
of useful information, everything is designed to ensure that occupants feel at
ease.
The Xsara possesses a
host of assets in terms of global safety. ABS and electronic brakeforce
distribution guarantee high-performance braking, while the reinforced passenger
compartment with its two airbags and optional side and curtain airbags provide
outstanding protection in the event of impact.
Two new engines also
make their appearance in the range, the 1.6i 16V 83 kW and the 2.0i 16V 104 kW,
offering enhanced driving pleasure with its power and excellent torque with the
choice of either a five speed manual or four speed automatic gearboxes. The
Citroen Xsara Coupe will be offered with a high performance 2.0 litre 16V
engine with 124 kW guided to the front wheels via a five speed manual gearbox,
in addition to the 1.6 lire engine.
The assets of the Xsara
also include a number of new functions for on-board comfort and well-being. The
multiplex electrics introduce a host of functions that will be much appreciated
by drivers, such as timed low-beam headlamps, automatic adjustment of radio
volume and an excess speed alarm.
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