Citroen C5 HDi 2005 review

It presumes that the driver is having 40 winks and is designed to bring him/her back to reality.

It is pertinent that it is Citroen that is the developer of this potentially life-saving device.

I'll add quickly that the vibrating seat is on the latest C4, and is yet to be fitted to the bigger C5.

Few cars, actually probably none, have such a long-sprung, fluid progress that is the envy of every mattress-maker in the land.

In becoming the benchmark for Beds Plus, the new C5 gets an even better hydraulic suspension, which now has a sport-mode for (slightly) flatter cornering stance, and a level ride regardless of load.

Drive over speed humps and there's no clanging, banging, bump or, indeed, any jolt to the occupants' bodies.

Fascinating stuff.

On the freeway, the ride is so comfy and the floating sensation so close to bedtime after a hot Milo, that things could become too relaxed.

The first corner puts everything back into perspective.

The suspension is so compliant that the C5 is ready to lean quite quickly into the corners, with only its tenacious front-wheel-drive grip left to maintain dignity.

It's actually a good handler, but the car's large size and the long-travel suspension make it feel less poised than a conventional sedan.

The fantastic ride enjoyed by passengers is matched only by the cavernous room within this car.

It's as big as a Statesman in the rear seat, with a huge boot accessed easily via an oversized hatch.

The version tested had all the fruit, with soft leather and lots of electrically operated equipment. More noticeable was the higher standard of build quality than the previous model.

All the fruit and the high standard of finish arrive for good reason — at about $52,000, this car is no cheapie.

Its up against the likes of the Statesman and Fairlane, so it has to be good.

It's rather tame, 2.2-litre, four-cylinder, turbo-diesel engine at first appears to be a deficiency.

In the land where the V8 is king, it's a big ask to find converts.

But appearances are deceptive. The Hdi common-rail turbocharged, intercooled diesel engine — new for 2005 and with an extra 200cc — is a burster, with truckloads of torque arriving low down in the rev range, and only some initial hesitation there to thwart any performance urges.

It's matched to a four-speed automatic which is an absolute treat, boasting sequential change for those who like to play manual gearboxes.

That lovely ride impacts a bit on the steering system, which is as vague as a teenage soapie star and requires concentration to keep on an accurate line.

The C5 comes standard with leather, electric seats, premium sound system, alloy wheels, one of the highest safety ratings around, electric windows and mirrors, auto wipers and headlights, cruise control, and so on.

It is simply a nice piece of work, made all the more impressive by the new grille and boomerang tail lights.