The new C5 is a distinctive car in many respects.
The saloon features breakthrough styling. Dynamic and stylish looks give the new C5 real appeal while also placing the emphasis on functionality and space. The driving position is an ode to motion that extends an invitation to drive and be driven, as does the sophisticated and remarkably soundproofed cabin.
On the road, the new C5 combines driving pleasure and comfort, with its highly efficient running gear and a choice of two diesel engines.
Comfort and ambience are tailored to needs, with premium styling as the common denominator: the seats are available with innovative ergonomics, and the upholstery and trim vary according to characteristics. A car with its own strong personality, the new C5 also adapts to the personality of its users, through key features such as driving style or onboard comfort.
Every inch of the new C5, both inside and outside, meets the highest standards of perceived quality. At the same time, quality in use and reliability meet stringent requirements, reflecting the introduction of new standards in design, development and production.
Combining appeal, performance, prestige and quality, the C5 has all the qualities necessary to take up a firm position among the leaders in the upper-mid range vehicle segment.
Scheduled to arrive on the market in 2009, the new body style illustrates the Marque’s vitality and innovative talent. The C5 joins Citroën’s richest and most modern range ever.
Dynamic, elegant styling with distinctive character
The first thing people notice is the exterior styling of the new C5. Sleek and elegant with distinctive character.
The saloon reflects efforts to optimise aerodynamics: the high waistline and strongly marked wheel arches clearly identify the new C5 as a vehicle of status. The concave rear window and the sizing of the overhangs – long at the front and short at the back – make it immediately identifiable as a Citroën road car.
A driving position focused on the driver
The carefully designed driving position is dedicated to the driver. Like the instrument cluster, it is largely inspired by the aerospace industry. Its design confirms the impression of performance and vitality given by the exterior styling.
The impression of visual energy given off by the “cockpit” is also reflected in the innovative ergonomics of the driving controls, illustrated by a new-generation fixed-centred controls steering wheel and premium driving aids, such as the lane departure warning system and Xenon dual-function directional headlamps.
Like the suspension system, seating comfort is tailored to suit a wide range of requirements as well as to provide optimum postural support. The front seats are available with an electrically controlled upper backrest, while the driver’s seat can include a massage function.
First-class travel
The pleasure of driving or being driven takes on a whole new dimension on the new C5, with all the occupants boarding in first-class.
All the components of the cabin, from the dashboard to the central console and the door panels, reflect clear styling choices, for an elegant, high-quality and robust finish. The upholstery range gains an executive leather option that is both distinctive and sophisticated.
Particular attention was devoted to acoustic and vibration comfort for a high-quality result.
Space makes a major contribution to comfort, so Citroën gave the new C5 a remarkably spacious cabin. The wheelbase is 65 mm longer than on the previous version, setting high standards in comfort for the occupants at both front and rear.
Impeccable road manners
Combining performance and comfort, the new C5 gains the high-performance running gear of the C6, designed to soak up any bumps or dips in the road surface. It also features a choice of suspension systems. Customers can choose between the Hydractive III + suspension, placing the emphasis on comfort and ride.
Working with this highly efficient running gear will be a range of two diesel engines.
High-level safety
The body structure and running gear feature the advanced characteristics of the C6 platform, which is a benchmark for safety.
The equipment available on the new C5 – including ABS and ESP as standard, and up to nine airbags – sets the highest standards in active and passive safety.
Focus on quality
The new C5 holds several aces in perceived quality and quality-in-use.
It reaps the benefits of a highly efficient platform policy, and of feedback from the C6, which is a benchmark for quality.
Prior to launch, the new C5 will have been driven for more than five million kilometres on trials to ensure its reliability.
Major investments have been made at Rennes, the site producing the new C5, to install the latest technologies. These efforts go hand-in-hand with a high-performance production process. The launch of the new C5 is an opportunity to put in place, for the first time at the Rennes site, all the facets of the new PSA Peugeot Citroën Production System.
FOCUS ON QUALITY
Because Citroën is a customer-focused company, all the efforts to design and produce the new C5 pursue the same aim: obtaining the highest standards in quality.
A customer-centred approach
Right from the start, design studies for the new C5 addressed customer satisfaction in all areas, particularly quality.
Specific action plans were put in place, particularly for the electronic systems.
The choices made, in terms of styling and in the selection of materials, aim to bring customers an immediate perception of quality, on a par with the best.
Robust design
To ensure the success of this project, breakthrough quality targets covering both new vehicles and vehicles in use were set for all the teams involved in developing the new C5.
The C5 reaps the full benefits of the platform policy, with a number of powertrain subsystems and electronic functions carried over from other models including the C6.
More than 250 vehicles assigned to a representative customer sample in France and Germany will carry out reliability road tests through to the launch date.
These vehicles will be driven for three million kilometres to track down the last imperfections. This phase completes the extensive driving and endurance trials conducted on private test tracks and at a range of latitudes representing extreme conditions.
Overall all, these road tests will cover more than five million kilometres.
An industrial site tailored to executive vehicles
Like the C6, the C5 is assembled at the Rennes site, a production centre dedicated to the mid-high and executive vehicles of the PSA Peugeot Citroën Group.
This ISO 9001 certified centre has long experience in producing executive vehicles, particularly with the C6 which is now attaining remarkable levels of quality. At the same time, the Rennes site is committed to the environment and sustainable development: it also has ISO 14001 certification.
Significant investments have been made in the Rennes site to adapt the industrial facilities to the latest technologies, in terms of stamping, body assembly, paintwork and final assembly.
Among this range of technologies, laser welding equipment has been installed in the body assembly shop. The main benefits are continuous assembly and an improvement in the appearance of the areas visible to the customer.
Another innovative technology in the paint shop, acoustics robots apply two materials to the body of the new C5 – PVC and epoxy – replacing the manually fitted soundproofing pads. This technology optimises acoustic sealing and makes the vehicle lighter, while also improving workstation ergonomics.
The benefits of the new Production System
The launch of the new C5 was an opportunity to put in place, for the first time at the Rennes site, all the facets of the new PSA Peugeot Citroën Production System.
This system is based first and foremost on the commitment of all employees. At the Rennes site, this involves implementing a management system designed to solve any difficulties quickly and to encourage progress initiatives at all levels, first and foremost, by observing events in the field.
Three main technical principles are implemented:
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“Zero defects”. The production system addresses any malfunctions as soon as they appear. The Rennes site, for example, has a system through which operators can sound the alert and receive immediate technical support. On the production line, only parts with no defects must move on to the next workstation.
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“Rated operation”, which involves smoothing out production to achieve a result that functions as planned, without unforeseen events. The regularity of the process ensures the quality of vehicles produced. As part of this aim, the logistics department set up a number of major programmes to rationalise parts flows and thus to improve delivery performance.
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The “minimum requirements” approach, which matches needs and resources. Here again, rationalisation programmes were put in place to identify and do away with anything that does not add value to the production process: stocks, parts waiting for use, movements serving no useful purpose, etc.
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