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An entire new car range with the new Xsara and the new
Citroën C5
The 2001 Melbourne International Motor Show
(1 - 12 March 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 Melbourne 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.
With prices of the new Xsara Coupe starting at
$23,990 for the Coupe VTR, the five door Xsara opening its account at $25,490
and the high performance Coupe VTS pitched at a highly compeditive $32,990,
there is little doubt that the new Xsara range with get off to a flying start
at the Melbourne International Motor Show.
"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 Melbourne International Motor Show.
The all-new Citroën
C5
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 Melbourne 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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