Citroen’s reputation as an environmentally-friendly company has been further enhanced by a successful night at the first What Car? Green awards.
The family-friendly Grand C4 Picasso was the first to scoop an honour at the evening when it was voted green MPV (multi-purpose vehicle) of the year.
Later in the night the executive C5 was named green family car of the year.
The mantlepiece at Citroen HQ must be groaning with gongs and silverware by now.
Earlier in the year Citroen landed the prize of best green manufacturer at What Diesel? magazine’s awards as well as receiving the Outstanding Achievement award at the European Greenfleet awards.
The company has also been nominated Greenfleet’s Car manufacturer of the year two years on the trot.
The recently-launched C5 had fierce competition from the more-established Mazda 6 and the Ford Mondeo in the green family car of the year category.
But with low CO2 emissions of just 149g/km and combined fuel economy of 50mpg there was only going to be one winner.
The Grand C4 Picasso’s victory came courtesy of its electronic gearbox system.
Citroen has announced its new C5 Tourer estate will go on sale on June 17th 2008.
With the Tourer, Citroen aims to provide a "stylish, dynamic and eminently practical" option to the estate car market.
Xavier Duchemin, managing director at Citroen UK, said: "The C5 Tourer is a perfect complement to the new C5 range. The Saloon model set itself apart from other, rather mundane, competitors … now, the C5 Tourer does the same".
Boot space of 505 litres can be expanded to nearly 1,500 litres when the split folding rear seats are laid completely flat.
Loading and unloading can be assisted by the ability to adjust Citroen’s optional self-levelling suspension which automatically keeps the car at the same level regardless of the load when the remote-controlled tailgate is closed.
Advanced braking system with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, Emergency Braking Assistance, ABS and ESP are all fitted as standard.
Optional extras include Citroen’s Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS), a retractable towbar, Xenon dual-function directional headlamps and a back massage function.
The Tourer comes in SX, VTR+ and Exclusive versions with a range of engines from the £16,695 1.8i 127hp SX to the £25,495.00 2.7HDi V6 208hp Automatic.
The Citroen C5 will be available to buy on April 2nd.
Awarded a five-star Euro NCAP rating for adult occupant protection, the new C5 is one of the safest cars on the road and the C5′s Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, Emergency Braking Assistance, ABS and ESP feature on all models.
Cruise control and a speed limiter are fitted as standard, while most models and trim options are equipped with an automatic electric parking-brake and hill-start assist. For ease of parking and pedestrian safety, the C5 is also available with front and rear parking sensors, as well as a parking gap assistance system.
Xavier Duchemin, managing director at Citroen UK, said: "With the new C5 we have added a fresh dimension to the business user market, with a vehicle that offers a sophisticated driving experience exemplified by its advanced vehicle technology, uncompromising safety features and its stunning design.
"Our customers want and deserve the highest standards in comfort, reliability, safety, performance and style. And with the new Citroën C5 that is exactly what we are offering."
A Tourer model will join the saloon models in the summer, and all will come with petrol engine options including 127bhp 1.8i 16V and 143bhp 2.0i 16V units, and four diesel choices – 110bhp, 138bhp, 173bhp and V6 208 units – all fitted with a diesel particulate filter system that virtually eliminates particle emissions.
French car manufacturer Citroen has unveiled its new C5 model in Paris.
The vehicle will be available to UK customers early in 2008, with the company believing it to be "a powerful addition" to its line-up.
Larger than the C4 Picasso in terms of both length and width, it has a front end with new incisive headlamps and a rear with a concave window installed.
Motorists will also be able to drive in the lap of luxury if they choose the C5, as the company has added an in-built seat back massage.
"The all-new C5 conveys a real sense of prestige, with the state-of-the-art design in a classic thoroughbred saloon," the firm commented.
Meanwhile, the company has announced that it sold 1.113 million of its vehicles during the first nine months of 2007.
Executive vice president Giles Michel said the feat was a record for the firm.
Citroen will be unveiling its C5 Airscape concept car to the public at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show.
The vehicle’s most defining feature is its carbon-fibre folding roof, typical of up market cabriolets, which has a textile lining and integrated sunroof.
Inside, the car features a dark brown leather interior offset by chrome, which the company claims is reflective of the refined and sophisticated nature of the car.
Similarly, touch-sensitive buttons with a thin membrane-like coating allows the driver to always be in control with comfort.
It is also environmentally-friendly, managing its fuel via an UrbanHybrid system which includes a reversible alternator-starter and super capacitors.
"This system allows onboard equipment, such as the air conditioning or audio system, to be powered by energy recovered during braking and deceleration, while engine torque can be temporarily boosted when required," read a press release.
The Frankfurt Motor Show takes place from September 11th 2007.
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