Sleeker Citroen

Citroen has a newly-designed C5 medium-size car on the way, happy for now to show what it looks like but keeping closer to its chest technical details.

Citroen says that indicates its keenness to get the car into showrooms rather than wait until the Geneva Motor Show, where most European launches are made, in March. Citroen Australia is expecting imports of the new C5 in the third-quarter of next year.

Like all French car makers, Citroen is bound to offer modern and efficient diesel engines in the C5 as well as petrol units.

Its current C5 range starts at $39,990 for the two-litre petrol sedan and wagon with 103kW of power and just a four-speed automatic transmission.

Also in the current range is a two-litre turbo-diesel capable of 100kW, but with a six-speed automatic, although there's an optional 2.2-litre diesel helped by twin turbochargers to achieve 125kW. It tops the current range at $53,990 while the top petrol version uses a three-litre, V6 engine generating 155kW of power.

At this stage, Citroen is emphasising the style and ride comfort of the 2008 model.

“Elegant, sleek and eminently distinguished” is how Citroen describes its new car. It says the new C5 will retain the legendary ride quality of Citroen and the interior will allow passengers to travel “in a prestige environment”.

Meanwhile, the car maker has launched an international design competition aimed at involving designers of all ages and nationalities. The online competition offers a first prize of about $16,000. 

Registrations are open until January 8 and projects must be submitted by January 15.