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Citroen C5 X test drive

Like a flying carpet

Worthy heir to the CX and XM, the C5 X represents Citroën’s new

luxury limousine hoping to embody the best of the chevron brand’s

know-how. Starting at €32,900.

Since the creation of the DS brand, it has been
very difficult for Citroën to relate to its famous
DS, which revolutionised the automobile world
in 1955 in both aesthetics and technology.
Fortunately, the brand with the chevrons still
has the right to toy with the letters C and X,
and has the authorisation to evoke the almost
legendary CX, XM and C6, which correspond to
an invitation to travel in complete safety. Being
4.80 m long, the C5 X is in the same league as the volume. Finally, it is very easy to read the Silence and comfort
its predecessors, and its silhouette respects 3D colour head-up display. The first impression you have when you
the same aerodynamic concepts. However, it drive the CX 5 is its silence and comfort.
has a very personal character that is defined Petrol, hybrid and automatic transmission The acoustics have been particularly well
by its V-shaped daytime running lights which The C5 X is only available with three petrol thought out, and the laminated front and
make the car immediately recognisable, its engines exclusively equipped with an 8-speed rear door windows make for exceptional
wheel arches highlighted in black and its high automatic gearbox controlled by paddles, insulation. As for the suspension, the CX 5 is
ground clearance, a wink at SUV enthusiasts. unfortunately attached to the steering equipped with double progressive hydraulic
wheel. The entry-level model is a 3-cylinder shock absorbers, and despite 19-inch wheels,
A cocoon interior supercharged 130 BHP, followed by a 4-cylinder the unevenness of the road is rather well
More than ever, Citroën has focused on making 1.6-litre 180 BHP (€40,500). They are followed by absorbed. However, to find the softness
life on board the C5 X as comfortable as a rechargeable hybrid version with the same 180 of the hydropneumatic system that made
possible. Of course, the C5 X has the famous BHP, combined with an 80 kW (110 BHP) electric Citroën proud, you have to switch to the
“Advanced Comfort Seats” (chicer in English), motor. It is powered by a 12.4 kW/h lithium-ion controlled damping reserved for the hybrid
which are soft, wide and not too snug, to remind battery pack situated under the floor. In total, version. In Comfort mode (the three others
us of the comfort of our living room armchair. the maximum power reaches 225 BHP and the are Normal, Electric and Sport), you will find
They can massage and ventilate. It is spacious, torque 360 Nm. The CX 5 Hybrid can thus travel the suppleness without the limpness of the
especially in the rear, while the 545 cubic litre 55 km without any problem in all-electric mode, DS 19. But not everyone appreciates this.
boot can be enlarged to 1,600 litres. which is a big advantage at a time when oil prices There are no major concerns regarding the
The dashboard, rather sober, is perfectly are skyrocketing, and provided that there is a road holding, but we quickly notice that the
functional with a large central screen at a recharging point at home or nearby that is free 180 BHP is inevitably more responsive and
well placed height: it is intuitive with direct or not too expensive. The hybrid model comes more manageable than the 225 bhp Hybrid
access controls for the air conditioning and at an additional cost of €7,000. which is heavier.

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