Nice clean lines of Citroen C5

By ALASTAIR SLOANE

Buyers who like the look of Citroen's new C5 hatchback have the choice of three engines: 2-litre and 3-litre petrol units and a 2-litre turbo-diesel.

But they could have had a fourth if the sulphur content in Marsden Pt diesel met European standards.

Citroen had to leave out its premium 2.2-litre turbo-diesel engine for New Zealand because it comes with a high-tech exhaust filter which traps and burns off diesel particulates, a mix of pollutants that includes sulphur.

The high sulphur content in diesel from the New Zealand Refining Company would clog the filter and prevent burn-off, says Citroen.

Diesel in New Zealand on average contains about 2000-2400 parts per million of sulphur.

But the award-winning filter on the 2.2-litre Citroen engine will only work properly using diesel with a sulphur content of 350 ppm, the European limit.

Citroen's stablemate Peugeot was forced to drop the diesel version of its 607 model for the same reason last year.

The silicon filter works in much the same way as a high-tech domestic oven, which burns off accumulated gunk under a high heat mode.

The unavailability of the 2.2-litre common-rail diesel comes as the Auckland Regional Council calls on oil companies to reduce the sulphur content of fuel. A drum of New Zealand diesel can have nearly eight times more sulphur in it than a drum of European diesel.

But while BP, Shell and Caltex support the ARC call for cleaner fuel, Mobil resists it. The ARC wants motorists to boycott Mobil.

Carmakers are producing ever-cleaner engines to stay ahead of emission legislation. A two-stroke lawn-mower engine, for example, produces more exhaust pollution than 25 2-litre engines.

Citroen has made a habit of breaking new automotive ground. Its Traction Avant (1934-57) was the first mass-market front-wheel-drive car, using unitary construction and torsion bars instead of leaf-spring suspension.

Its 2CV (1948-90) was one of the most practical cars made.

And its DS (1955-65) was way ahead of its time and took car design and function to a new level.

The carmaker lost its way for a while before bouncing back into the mainstream market in the 1980s and early 1990s with the BX model.

The Xantia and smaller Saxo and Xsara built on the success of the BX until Citroen unveiled the C5 late last year, when the company was on its way to record growth.

The C5 replaces the Xantia but it is closer in size to the XM, Citroen's former executive model (production stopped last year), which is due to be replaced by the C6 in 2004.

Citroen says the C5 is the roomiest car in its class. It has a long wheelbase, short bonnet and boot and large cabin.

The carmaker's chief executive, Claude Satinet, says interior space is a preoccupation and will be a hallmark of all future Citroens, along with simple styling, user-friendly technology and secure roadholding.

An example of user-friendliness in the C5 is the glovebox - it has its own chilled compartment. Such a luxury was only a year or two ago confined to the top-end Mercedes-Benz.

The C5's third-generation Hydractive suspension, a computer-controlled successor to the pioneering system in the DS, combines electronics and hydraulics to allow suspension rates to be changed between comfort and sport.

The ride height varies automatically with speed, too, dropping by 15mm at the front and 11mm at the rear to improve stability and fuel use on the open road. The ride height can also be raised for greater clearance over rough ground.

Citroen says the Hydractive system requires no maintenance for the first five years, or 200,000km.

Standard equipment includes six airbags, ABS anti-lock brakes, traction control, seatbelt pre-tensioners, air-conditioning and automatic windscreen wipers. Prices range from $44,990 to $64,990.

The 2-litre petrol engine produces 100kw at 6000 rpm and 190Nm of torque at 4100 rpm. It comes with either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic gearbox.

The 2-litre diesel engine produces 80kW at 4000 rpm and 250Nm of torque at 1750 rpm. It also comes with the choice of a manual or automatic gearbox.

The 3-litre V6 puts out 152kW at 6000 rpm and 285Nm of torque at 3750 rpm and is mated to an automatic gearbox only.

Back in 1987, Citroen was No 4 on the bestselling list of carmakers in Europe. Now it is No 2, with a 13.7 per cent share of the market.

The market for European cars in New Zealand is growing. A few years ago, about 4000 European cars were sold here. This year European car sales are expected to exceed 7000. Citroen believes the C5 will spearhead new growth for the French company.