Hot French fare under the grille

Citroen has lifted the official lid on its new C5, showing the first pictures of the wagon, after details of the sedan were released a few weeks ago. The C5 will go on sale here late next year in time for October's Sydney motor show.

As they did with the current model, more than 80per cent of buyers are expected to choose the turbodiesel versions. Visually the sedan and wagon follow the Airscape concept car, with an assertive front end dominated by the distinctive Citroen chevron grille.

Citroen Australia general manager Miles Williams says the existing C5 has been an enormously important vehicle for Citroen in Australia.

“It has been central to providing 10 years of sustained growth for Citroen in Australia and provided Citroen with a strong presence in the large sedan sector,” he says.

The replacement carries over a development of Citroen's hydractive suspension, Hydractive 3 Plus, which is shared with the C6 and offers three levels of damping: soft, firm and sport.

In Europe the car is available with a range of petrol and turbodiesel engines. Australian specifications are yet to be determined but expect the sedan and wagon to have engine and transmission options similar to those in the current model. That means a choice of 2.0-litre and 3.0-litre V6 petrol power and possibly 2.0-litre and 2.2-litre four-cylinder HDi turbodiesels.

The driving position resembles an aircraft cockpit and has second-generation fixed-hub controls on the steering wheel, as in the C4.

Controls such as the cruise control, radio, telephone, and central screen controls are all within easy reach.