Citroën C5 Tourer goes on sale on 17 June

(28/05/2008)

The Tourer adds a new dimension - and a lot more space - to the C5 range, as one of the most luxurious ‘estate’ cars in its class. The Tourer features a highly versatile and spacious interior without compromising the C5’s styling.

The C5 Tourer boasts an impressive array of driver comforts and innovative touches along with new features tailored to the vehicle’s functional design philosophy. The combination of Citroën’s self-levelling suspension together with a motorised tailgate optimises the car’s ‘estate’ functionality. Loading the Tourer’s generous boot is made simple with the ability to raise or lower the rear suspension and also convenient with the tailgate’s remote controlled access.

Inside, the smart touches continue with an optional seat-back massage function offering luxurious comfort whilst a dual-function boot light / rechargeable torch provides a convenient portable light source.

Just like its Saloon counterpart, the Tourer is based on the sophisticated running gear of the exclusive C6 offering class-beating road manners but with the Tourer’s practical benefit of added volume and generous proportions. Despite its increased dimensions, the Tourer maintains the elegant styling and aerodynamic qualities of its booted stablemate. With a range of proven engines and a choice of suspension systems, the Tourer offers an involved driving experience, ideally suited to users who spend hours on the road or seek a secure and spacious transportation for their families and equipment.

The Tourer competes against the estate versions of the Volkswagen Passat, Ford Mondeo, and Mazda 6.

Sharing the same Teutonic overtones as the C5 Saloon, the sleek and dynamic physique of the Tourer is characterised by its sculpted rear. At 4.83m long and 1.48m tall, the Tourer adds an additional 5cm and 3cm respectively over the Saloon.

The stylish external roof bars, which provide another convenient storage solution, can be finished in black or silver and create a visual contrast against the Tourer’s body colours.

Dark tinted rear side and tailgate windows give the Tourer an impression of exclusivity. They also reduce solar glare and thermal penetration for improved passenger comfort and help to mask items that are being transported in the rear for increased protection against theft.

Internally, the Tourer shares the refined styling and exemplary comfort of the Saloon model with features like the curved lines of the door armrests and the aviation-inspired dashboard contributing to the prestigious interior.

By taking full advantage of its long roof-line, the Tourer can be fitted with an expansive panoramic glass roof, complete with an electric retractable sunblind, to create an even brighter and more spacious cabin environment.

Load space is abundant, thanks to the Tourer’s large boot (505-litres) and split folding rear seats, which can be laid completely flat to create an extensive capacity of nearly 1500 litres – one of the largest in the segment. Access is made simple and convenient by the Tourer’s large tailgate, which allows bulky items to be loaded or unloaded with ease.

The Tourer’s boot door is available with a motorised electric tailgate that opens remotely from the key fob and closes with the press of a button. The mechanism ensures the smooth ascent or descent of the tailgate and makes accessing the Tourer’s boot convenient and safe. When boot access is restricted, users can even calibrate the required elevation of the tailgate. When placing heavy items into the car, a button located on the rear lowers or raises the car’s suspension, bringing the boot floor to a more convenient height. Simply closing the tailgate automatically returns the rear suspension to the correct level. For accomplished pulling power, the Tourer can be specified with a convenient tow-bar, which can be retracted if not in use.

Within the boot, neat design features optimise the available space and give the Tourer added functionality. A 12V accessory socket is available for charging or powering electrical devices and a clever dual-function flashlight mounted into the wall of the boot operates as a boot light or a convenient rechargeable hand-held torch. Clever storage solutions can include shopping bag hooks on the boot side walls, side storage nets for stowing loose objects and a luggage cover blind. Ceiling hooks located behind the rear seats and the front seats allow a cargo net to be fitted to retain items during transit.

The C5 Tourer is the first car in its class to be offered with a choice of suspension systems – both conventional steel spring and Citroën’s self levelling Hydractive. With the vehicle at a constant height, regardless of load, the C5 Tourer provides the ideal no-compromise solution, offering optimal comfort at the same time as good payload capability, together with safety and handling.

Additionally, the vehicle can be raised or lowered at the touch of a button in the boot, facilitating effortless coupling of a trailer whilst the self levelling capability comes into its own when towing.

Alongside the self-levelling system, the Tourer is also available with a conventional spring set-up that strikes an excellent balance between practicality, driving pleasure and robust-road holding.

Built on the same platform as the EuroNCAP 5-starred C5 Saloon and equipped with the Company’s very latest innovative safety technology, the C5 Tourer provides occupants with reassuring levels of protection. The stiffened body and cabin structure incorporate both upper and lower absorbers at the front to soak up energy released in the event of frontal impact.

Driver and passengers are fully protected by up to nine front, side and curtain airbags, as well as a specially created torso-shaped bag that is made possible by the design of the unique Citroën-specific fixed hub steering wheel, for ultimate safety.

Helping drivers to control the vehicle in difficult conditions, the Tourer includes an advanced braking system with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, Emergency Braking Assistance, ABS and ESP all fitted as standard. Citroën’s life-saving, Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS) is also available.

The Tourer’s enhanced headlight system improves visibility and safety on corners and junctions at night time, with Xenon dual-function directional headlamps available and a static AFS (Adaptive Front-lighting System) fitted as standard on all models.

The C5 range is offered in a choice of three trim levels - SX, VTR+ and Exclusive – and, just like the Saloon, the Tourer is extremely well specified.

Cruise control and a speed limiter, air-conditioning, external roof bars, an acoustic windscreen and an adaptive front-lighting system (AFS) are all fitted as standard, whilst most versions are equipped with an automatic electric parking-brake and hill-start assist. For ease of parking and pedestrian safety, the C5 Tourer is also available with front and rear parking sensors, as well as a parking gap assistance system.

A choice of engines will be available from launch to meet a full range of driver preferences with two petrol powerplants and four HDi diesel engines which combine performance with economy. Every HDi unit is also fitted with Citroën’s Diesel Particulate Filter System, which virtually eliminates particle emissions, and can run on up to 30% biodiesel without modification.

Prices start at £16,695.00 for the 1.8i 127hp SX.

Related categories:  Citroen   Estate car   Ford   Mazda   Volkswagen 

Print version | Email to a friend | View other articles