Citroen Dispatch Reviews

Time spent recently with the Citroen family's largest — for the moment — model left a rather empty feeling. An impression that it should have been enjoyed more.At $55,990, the C5 V6 is playing in a fairly demanding ballpark.Shoppers with that sort of greenery in the back pocket have a rich menu to select from.Chrysler's 3.5-litre 300C, Holden's 3.6-litre Statesman, Ford's 4.0-litre Fairlane Ghia, Peugeot's 3.0-litre 407 and Volvo's turbo AWD S40 are just some prime examples of those there or thereabouts.What the C5 does offer — apart from its Gallic individuality — is a reputable claim to being the "safest" car on the road.What it actually has is the highest safety score ever handed out by boffins at the EuroNCAP crash test centre. The Citroen C5 actually scored an unprecedented 36 points out of a possible 37.Even better, it managed a 100 per cent score in the frontal impact test.What really impressed the NCAP guys was that the C5 passenger cell protected all occupants with an impressive side impact protection system, warning lights for rear as well as front seatbelts, double pretensioner on the front passenger belt and knee airbags.In a nutshell, this means that as that big accident looms you will be allowed a momentary self-satisfied smirk because you chose to spend your hard-earned on the C5.However, the NCAP engineers only crash cars — they don't have to drive them or live with them day-to-day. In the C5, there are lots and lots of neat individual aspects — it is only the whole that fails to engage. The styling is ... French. Long front overhangs and a bonnet that extends far enough into the distance to intimidate first-time drivers in tight car parks. Yet, it is pleasing to the eye.The interior of the cabin is spacious with an instrument display that is clear and easy to read. The seats are comfortable without being outstanding and most of the ergonomics are at the better end of the French scale.There are also numerous nooks and crannies in which to store/hide the ever-growing list of small items you take into a car.The major exception to the ergonomics is the driver's footrest, which is narrow and tucked away hard against the central tunnel.Using the multi-function stalks mounted on the steering column also takes a degree of practice and concentration but they work well and, as an owner, use would become more instinctive over time. Powering the top-of-the-range C5 is the 3.0-litre V6 Citroen shares with development partner Peugeot.With 155kW available at a peak of 6000rpm and 290Nm of torque on tap at 3750rpm the outputs are mid-range at best. Around the city the engine gives the impression of being relaxed. The six-speed automatic does its best with well-sorted ratios but shifting position quickly in slow-going traffic to take advantage of merging opportunities is not a forte.As a highway cruiser the C5 takes on another character entirely. The steering feel, disconcertingly light at low speeds, weights up nicely; the clever Hydractive suspension reads the road surface and speed for a more sporty damper response and the C5 becomes an effortless cruise; in this environment the six-speed shifter feels completely at home.Unfortunately, the Hydractive's ability to lower the car by 15mm for highway running only comes into effect over Australia's 110km/h speed limit. Overall, the impression is that in the C5 there was something worth getting to know, but an absolute certainty that it was going to take a lot of hard work.

One of the headline acts will be the French star of recent independent crash tests - the Citroen C6 - which has been acclaimed as the safest car yet tested by the New Car Assessment program.The C6, set to go on sale in Australia by the middle of the year, is the fi rst car to earn the maximum four stars from Euro NCAP for its pedestrian safety rating, as well as a maximum fi ve stars for occupant protection.It's also won an award as the world's most beautiful large sedan.The C6 is offering two V6 engines - a 2.7-litre 150kW turbo diesel or a three-litre 155kW petrol engine; both drive the front wheels via a six-speed automatic gearbox.Alfa Romeo's 156 range brought the Italian brand back to the fore in Australia with fl air and passion. It's replacement, the 159, continues in that tradition. It will offer more modern drivetrains - and even a V6 with Australian roots - when it hits the market mid year.Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro and the Alfa Romeo Styling Centre, the new car will come in both front and all-wheel drive versions, with the Q4 permanent four-wheel drive system using three diffs to split drive.The Alfa Romeo 159 is the first of a whole family of new Alfas due over the next two years, including the Brera.Lexus will be the fi rst car maker to offer a luxury hybrid model, with its GS petrol-electric hybrid offering plenty of performance with the thirst and emissions of a two-litre.The Toyota-owned luxury brand also has a hybrid version of the RX SUV but the company's stand in Adelaide will feature the RX350 - which sees the looks get a nip and tuck, with a new more-powerful and more fuel-effi cient engine beneath its sculpted snout.When Volkswagen went back to the factoryowned subsidiary, they announced high hopes of surpassing 20,000 units by now. They haven't got there yet but with more than 15,000 sales last year the German car maker is on the right track.The prestige segment will see the Passat return with a vengeance this year, with direct-injection two-litre petrol and turbo-diesel engines, or a V6 petrol engine, on offer in either sedan or wagon body style.The sales have had a boost from the new Golf and the newly-introduced (and keenly-priced) Jetta, giving the German car maker plenty of ammunition to work with.Peugeot will give Adelaide show-goers a look at its new 407 Coupe, a sleek, powerful and attractive 2+2 that will be offered in petrol and diesel models on sale in Australia as the show opens.The coupe will be offered with a three-litre 155kW/290Nm V6 petrol engine with either a sixspeed manual gearbox or new six-speed automatic transmission for $65,990 and $68,190 respectively.The sleek Pug will also be offered with a 2.7-litre V6 HDi twin-turbo diesel offering 150Kw and 440Nm with a six-speed automatic gearbox as standard. It will be priced at $72,500.Porsche chose to introduce the Australian motoring media to the Cayman S in the countryside surrounding Adelaide and its fi tting the German brand returns to the motor show this year with the same model.The Cayman S is more than a Boxster with a roof, sharing inlet systems and some other nice bits with the 911.The bulk of the DNA traces back to the midengined Boxster, which gives the two-seater Cayman the same basic powerplant - although slightly larger - plus the superb road manners and balance that has made the convertible a popular option among Porsche buyers.Chrysler has returned to the Australian market with plenty of enthusiasm and some interesting product, the latest and most powerful example of that statement being the 300C sedan.Soon to be followed by diesel and wagon variants, the V8 300C has serious visual impact and packs plenty of equipment to take on the big locally-built luxury sedans.The Chrysler has the added attraction of displacement on demand, which drops fourcylinders from use to save fuel when light throttle loads are required.

So why would I bother even trying one if I've already made up my mind? Because sometimes first impressions can be wrong and this was the case with the Citroen C4 HDi.I had already test driven the Citroen C4 VHS (petrol version) – and loved it – and was surprised to learn this small car came as a diesel. The man at the petrol station must have been thinking the same thing, judging by the dodgy look he gave me when I pulled up at the diesel pump.Anyway, let's answer those first impressions. As for the oily, diesel smell, I didn't notice any, in fact, the only aroma the C4 had was of vanilla wafting from the dash – from it's very own scent dispenser. How very French.However the sound of a diesel is unmistakable. It's like a tractor.Luckily, you can only hear the rumble from the outside and inside it's as quiet as a mouse, with only the excellent audio system for background noise.And despite being a 1.6-litre, the Citroen diesel is not the least bit sluggish. In fact, its punchiness and smooth power were surprising considering this is a small to medium-sized car. My own 1.6-litre car gets tired going uphill.But here was the Citroen proving me wrong – and I'm not often wrong – and doing it in a solid and sure-footed kind of way.And I really liked the way it handled. It's grippy on the road, making me feel extremely safe, and it responded in an accurate manner making it feel nimble despite, from the inside, it seeming quite wide and bulky.It is with the fuel consumption that my vote is swinging. The car arrived with half a tank, and I was informed that diesel lasts longer than petrol. Yet, after four days and only zipping here and there around town, the low fuel warning flashed up on the electronic computer. I wasn't impressed, and filling up a diesel hurts the pocket at the pump.Visibility from the C4 is great in all directions – even with its slanted windows that wrap around the car's curved shape.A gentleman even stopped and asked what I thought of the C4's visibility and I happily told him that I had noticed straight off how good it was – you can see everything and I had already seen him looking curiously at the car before he approached me.The seat adjustments, allowing you to sit as high or as low as you like in the comfy seats, increase your aspect and also make you feel bigger than you are – especially sitting in traffic next to all those SUVs. It seems every second person has one these days.But then again not every person is sitting in a Citroen with quirky extras such as its own scent or the translucent instrument display with its big numbers showing who's been a good girl and has been driving at the speed limit.Second time around, I found the fixed steering wheel was again a bit kooky but superb, except when I turned the wheel and knocked the radio off its station.Oh, well, I guess the Citroen was sick of that sappy love song.LOVE IT LEAVE ITCitroen C4 HDiPrice: $29,990LOVE ITThe sliding armrest console. The black interior is all class and minimalist – very chic. And the textured grip on the lower part of the steering wheel gets my vote.LEAVE IT The seat belt sat high over my neck and was uncomfortable. Second gear could be clunky and too many times refused to get itself in gear – even when I asked nicely. The steering felt heavy – perhaps a diesel influence?

The C6 won acclaim by safety experts for not only high levels of safety for the occupants but providing the highest level of pedestrian safety."This is the first car in the world to have an active safety system specifically designed to protect pedestrians in the event of an accident," Citroen Australia general manager Miles Williams says. The C6's bonnet pops upwards in the event of a pedestrian accident to reduce the car's impact on people.When the C6 detects an impact, two pyrotechnic bolts release the bonnet (mounted on impact-absorbing springs) to move upwards by 65mm in just 40 milliseconds.The C6 has nine airbags, a head-up instrument display, active suspension, active headrests, a speed-sensitive rear wing, lane departure warning system, front and rear peripheral radar, low pressure diffusion ventilation and laminated side windows.It comes in two engine types including a 2.7-litre V6 turbo diesel. Full details and pricing will be announced when it goes on sale in Australia in the middle of the year.Joining it on show will be the new Citroen C4 turbo diesel which promises open-road fuel consumption as low as 4.7 litres per 100km and a range in excess of 1200km.The new 1.6 HDi engine has maximum torque of 240Nm at 1750rpm which can be increased to 260Nm at 1750rpm with an overboost function.The Citroen C4 HDi will be available in the five-door version of the C4.Prices and specification will be announced when it goes on sale next month.

Naturally, since this is a French-made car it is slightly quirky, sophisticated and packed with technology. The sharp-looking car I'm referring to is the Citroen C4 VTS hatch. Nice, isn't it? Classy but not too sassy, and just that wincy bit different that makes it stand out. We girls like to be noticed.Those cat's eyes headlights might look sexy from this angle, but they look even better from behind the wheel – they are directional and move as you turn the steering wheel. Brilliant. Other motorists noticed, too – it's such an attention seeker.And how cute are the C4's heated, folding side mirrors? They fold, like closed ears (as I like to call them), when the car is locked.Inside, its chic and indulgent, and much like a French house of couture, ultra stylish in black. It's a bit spyish, too. Black leather, suede-like alcantata on the cushioned seats and polished aluminium. There's a sexy audio system with surround sound and a double CD stacker, dual climate zones, a pollen filter, tinted windows and cruise control.Even the steering wheel is slick. Volume and radio controls sit on a fixed centre, as does a rev counter which looks like something out of Battlestar Galactica. The fixed wheel ensures the driver's airbag always deploys at the right angle.The dash has an ingenious translucent instrument display, which uses natural light to show your speed. If those big, bold numbers don't slow you down, then perhaps the speed limiter might. Having seen the way they drive in France, I expect a speed limiter is a must there. It should be here, too, especially since this car has been designed to glide.The sports suspension is faultless, and the two-litre engine and five-speed manual transmission whip it up steep climbs.Even the bells and whistles are fun – cute popping sounds for the parking/reversing sensors, a kettle-like whistle when headlights are left on and a jingle when seat belts are yet to be fastened.But, alas, the cup holder was a disappointment – it wouldn't fit a 350ml bottle of water.Perhaps I should have bought a Perrier instead ...The directional lights are very cool as are the rain-sensitive windscreen wipers. Love the French twists.The seats are a little uncomfortable. I felt like I was being pushed to the right and wasn't sitting centred. It was offputting.

Citroen's hallmark air suspension is everything it's hyped up to be ... a few notches below bouncing on a blow-up castle.You may sniff that this car is simply the French Falcon, mais oui, but your average frog is tres chic, demanding rear cup holders that cater for stemmed glasses.Of course, there is the old-school de rigueur front ashtray for those Gitanes as well – not so elegant. Driving needn't be a chore when you've got windscreen wipers which wave at the first sight of rain and headlights which sense when it's the darker side of twilight.I'd recommend upgrading your handbag to a tote, however, to cater for the enormous Citroen key. While it looks like a tennis racquet, it has an extra handy feature which turns the headlights on or off at a distance.Crash test dummies love Citroen C5, too, with its safety record a cut above the rest. In February, it was voted safest car ever by Euro NCAP – an independent testing agency – with almost full protection for drivers, and dummies, on front and side collisions.There are airbags aplenty – six in total on front, side and rear, plus front and rear curtain airbags – a fuel line that cuts out on impact, remote central locking that kicks in when the car takes off and an overspeed warning alarm.Safe as houses.Speaking of houses, I would gladly rip out Citroen's seats and cosy armrests and place them in my lounge room. Barring that, it is one of the more comfortable choices for the drive-in, if you are keen for a cruise to Gepps Cross.There's plenty of room in the boot for stowaways, too.Having had the fortune to do a "vertical tasting" of Citroen's C3, C4 and C5 in the past few months, I would place the family-car diesel at the top of the tree for comfort and practicality.But for those pleasure seekers without human or fur families, the C4 is a slicker, sexier option.Either way, the French Falcon is a classy car, even with the ashtray.LOVE IT LEAVE ITCitroen C5 HDi SXFour-cylinder, 2.2-litre automatic dieselPrice: $51,990LOVE ITDreamy suspension.Surprisingly quick acceleration.Leather trim.Pram-friendly boot.LEAVE ITSounds like a tractor at idle.Confusing stereo controls.Seat belt alarm.Tennis-racquet-look key.

It's not perfect, but Citroen's C4 VTS coupe looks fabulous, goes like a bull out of a gate, is very well equipped and represents very good value for money.It gets my vote as the best thing to come out of the French thoroughbred stable yet.We were impressed with the style and performance of this car when it was launched earlier this year and our recent stint behind the wheel has only served to confirm this impression.Apart from the distinctive styling, the most striking feature of the C4 is the steering wheel with its fixed centre hub.Believe it or not, the original Citroen 4C had a fixed hub too way back in the 1920s.Only the wheel itself rotates, the centre hub doesn't move which Citroen says allows it to host way more controls.The steering wheel is divided into quadrants, with each quadrant responsible for a different function.Top left is controls for the cruise and speed limiter, top right is sound system, bottom right the trip computer controls and bottom left is devoted to vehicle options such as air recycling.The centrally located LCD digital style speedo is easy to read in any light and we reckon should become a benchmark for other manufacturers.In fact, after driving a couple of cars in the past few weeks with digital speedos, we prefer them to the standard, difficult to read analogue units found in most cars.The VTS is powered by a 2.0-litre 130kW engine that can propel the car from 0-100km/ h in 8.3 seconds.A five-speed manual transmission is stan- dard.We found it necessary to feather the clutch for a clean take off.After we got over our initial excitement, we discovered the doors of the coupe are quite large and heavy making opening and closing them a chore.Access to the rear seat is via a tilt and slide mechanism, but unless you make a point of pushing the front seat all the way forward, it has a habit of sliding back again which can be really annoying.The ride is fine on smooth pavement, but get off the freeway and on to some of our secondary back roads and it quickly becomes choppy.We're not saying the suspension doesn't do its job, but it does not do a very good a job of isolating passengers from bumps.The VTS comes with a plethora of standard equipment.Six airbags are standard and the car has a five star crash rating.It is also designed to reduce injury to pedestrians.Our car was equipped with the optional JBL sound system which is another $1000 but one of the best units that we have heard.It is also MP3 friendly so that means you can fit more than 150 songs on single CD.Citroen C4 VTS is priced from $36,900 plus on road costs. 

The week immediately preceding a test in the C4 VTS was spent clocking up some swift kilometres in Volkswagen's brilliant Golf GTi.The Golf is a dazzling, brawny little four-door which delivers performance in spades.It is a giant among hot fours and the latest model is destined for greatness.The VTS is not a direct competitor in that it is not as hinged on pure performance.It is a warmed-over version of the smart and tidy C4.The Golf and Citroen are wildly different cars which attract different customers.From a standstill the VTS is not likely to get you into any kind of trouble.There are not a lot of horses low-down but that is offset to a degree by the engine's willingness to gather pace quickly.Its agility from take-off is rather innocuous through lack of immediate punch.The engine note sings with purpose and it is a more than credible performer once it's working.One of three petrol engines offered in the C4 range, this naturally aspirated 2-litre four cylinder cranks out 130kW of power.You need to maintain a reasonable amount of revs before releasing the clutch, letting first gear drive the car cleanly off the line.Chassis feel is confident as one would expect from a model which shares some of its underpinnings with PSA stablemate Peugeot's 307. Try to belt into a corner too hard and the VTS will develop a fair degree of understeer.Otherwise steering and handling remain predictable while the package retains a sweet rideability balance.The VTS is quite a frugal proposition, finishing this week-long test which covered about 700km with the attractive figures of 7.7litres/100km.Cabin ergonomics is where the C4 excels — everything is explicitly laid out and the multi-function steering wheel is a snap to decipher first-up and fun to navigate.While this is not a WRX or even in the same league of the extraordinary turbo assisted four-potters, there is much to like about the VTS if you're not into a rip-snorting ride.The fluency of the architecture, the readability of the large LCD instrument panel mounted centrally on top of the dash, the build quality and the high levels of standard kit make the VTS a compelling option at around the $37,000 mark (think similar price to Holden's Astra Turbo and the Toyota Corolla Sportivo).There is a uniqueness with the creamy, smooth elegant lines offering a genuine point of difference in a tasteful exterior form.Some similarities can be drawn from models long gone.The large rear glass which is divided and squared off gives some hint to Ford's special Laser Lynx model of the mid-1990s.But as far as borrowing any design from any previous or existing model, the C4 is pleasingly not guilty.While the VTS is not the volume player of the range, the C4 family is expected to account for about one third of Citroen's total Australian sales next year.So it belongs to a very important nameplate.

No, not in the sense that pedestrians constantly want to get into it but something more profound.The C4, rated at five stars in NCAP crash testing, is designed to minimise injury to pedestrians if the worst imaginable thing happens.It does this by having a deep front bumper made of soft plastic with energy absorbing structures beneath and a large surface area to prevent pedestrians from going under the car.A secondary benefit of the large surface area is a reduction in leg injuries.The front mudguards are of flexible plastic and the bonnet is thin aluminium sheet with the engine and other hard parts located deep in the engine bay. The bonnet is at almost the same rake as the windscreen giving less of a blunt impact area for a pedestrian.The recessed wipers are floppy and the mirrors fold out of the way. There is no protruding exterior aerial and the headlights are flush fitted with polycarbonate lenses.In theory, all should work in concert to reduce injury but who would want to find out.The car itself is great, good looking, well proportioned, roomy and practical. The 103kW, 2.0-litre, C4 hatch on test ($34 grand with auto only) is a five door bristling with innovative technology.It takes a while to acclimatise to a translucent information panel, 360 degree park assist, an option full glass roof (the entire roof), steerable bixenon headlights that see around corners and an extremely clever fixed steering wheel hub with a large airbag and up to 10 electronic controls.Engine performance is strong despite the four speed auto being a little off the pace in terms of reluctant down changes and holding gears too long. A five speeder would be better.Handling is excellent characterised by flat cornering and direct steering. The ride is comfortable and the brakes are strong.Fuel economy on test was impressive averaging around 8.0-litres/100km.It's a stylish car inside and out and is pleasant to travel in. The funky interior follows no existing layout and is good to look at and easy to use. An MP3 player is incorporated into the audio system.Remote control headlights, operated from the keypad are a real asset.This car is up near the top of the C4 range and fittingly, ticks most of the boxes. The spare is full size.C4 starts in price at $25,990 for the 1.6-litre hatch. It's worth a look.

Taking the Citroen for a spin through the curvy Stirling-Strathalbyn route was a delight, with leather steering wheel in hand guiding its passengers around each corner with ease.It may be market research gone mad but the French car maker seems to have a good idea of its buying demographic, with music to put you in the mood and a car catering for every lazy driver's desire.At the first hint of twilight, the headlights blink on, doors lock as soon as you accelerate and windscreen wipers clear away the slightest sign of rain.Forget to buckle up and the seat-belt alarm increases in volume until you obey. It bleeps again if a door is not closed properly or the handbrake is left on. If a tyre goes flat, it lets you know that, too.Parking sensors allow even the worst parallel parkers to slide into a spot without any unnecessary paint-chipping bumps.Cornering at night is easy on drivers' eyes as lights follow the road and look eerily like the eyes of a skinless Terminator cyborg.Perhaps the Citroen C4 is a cyborg with a tendency for crankiness if you don't follow the rules.But all is forgiven with this two-litre hatch which seats passenger and driver as well as short-legged rear passengers in comfort.Clever interior features, apart from an irritating rear light, are abundant, with good storage compartments, centre armrest and individual airconditioning controls and an airconditioned glove box to keep beverages cool.For those who get into whiz-bang features, there are cruise, stereo and trip computer controls on the steering wheel – so many that it's hard to find the horn.Citroen's designers may have overlooked a couple of features to keep family car buyers away.There seem to be no child-proof locks for the electric windows, which are within reach of a toddler in a car capsule, and the boot is only roomy enough for an umbrella stroller.But who wants grubby hands messing up a fine interior? Citroen C4 is a DINK car and a stylish statement to other drivers."We live in a beautiful world, yeah we dooo ... "Do I have to give it back now?