| First Drive | Stockcross, Berks | Citroen C5 range |

Citroen wants to be German. At least that's the impression it's giving with the new C5. The famously, overtly French company is turning its back on its core French-ness with the C5, instead preferring to describe its latest family saloon having German qualities. We're not sure about that line of thought, but there's no denying that the C5 is a vastly improved car compared to its predecessor.

In the Metal

I'm amazed, when discussing the styling of the new C5 with a Citroen employee, that they mention that the front overhang is greater than that of the preposterously proboscised Peugeot 407 - the Depardieu of French cars. If ever there were a demonstration that a designers' pen - or whatever it is they use on CAD systems these days - is a hugely effective tool at disguising proportions then the C5's snozz is it. It's a striking-looking car the C5, Citroen obviously having felt the sting of criticism over the bland, frumpy lines of its predecessor. There's a bit of C6 in the C5's shape, not least around the distinctive grille and scalloped rear window, while Citroen's quest for Germanic lines is very apparent around the rear where there's a real premium look to the three-quarter view and tail lamps.

In its bid for upmarket premium cachet the C5 is only offered as a saloon, so there's no salesman-friendly hatchback on offer, though an estate will follow. The saloon's boot is massive enough, offering near hatchback versatility with its folding rear seats. It's a good-looker then, but it needs to drive well and offer good value for money to have any chance of succeeding in the hyper-competitive family car market.

What you get for your Money

Whatever Citroen says you can be assured that the C5 will be offered with tempting cash-back offers to lure customers into its showrooms. That'll undoubtedly enhance the appeal of the C5 even more, though as a standard package the C5 is already an attractive proposition. SX specification has all the basics covered, but it's likely that the majority of C5's will be VTR+ models, which come with desirable additions over the SX such as alloy wheels and automatic dual-zone air conditioning, along with height and lumber adjustment on the front seats. Exclusive specification adds a few more toys and crucially, Citroen's Hydractive 3+ suspension with automatic ride height adjustment, the other C5s making do with conventionally sprung suspension. That's a bold move for a company that's got a long tradition of offering its supple, road smothering suspension systems on cars in this class.

Inside, the Citroen C5 feels of a quality far better than the car it replaces; there's a fixed-hub steering wheel containing a larger than usual airbag too, though oddly for a car that targets business buyers, there's a serious lack of cupholders in the cabin. Gone are the days of Citroen's offering space in the door-bin for a 1.5-litre bottle of mineral water.

Driving it

Even with diesel fuel topping £1.10 a litre at the moment it's the turbodiesels that will make up the majority of C5 sales. There are four: 1.6, 2.0, 2.2 and 2.7-litre V6. Petrol choices are limited to a 1.8- and a 2.0-litre, further underlining that in this class people are buying diesels. Hardly surprising really given the majority will be bought with company money. So it's the diesels we concentrate on, all except the range-topping 2.7-litre V6, which to all but a tiny number of buyers is an irrelevance. With the 2.2-litre HDi offering only a handful of ponies less than the V6 and hardly falling short in the torque department then the V6 looks even less appealing. Whatever the engine, the first impression of the C5 on the road is just how quiet it is. Citroen wasn't kidding when it said it had been working on the acoustics. The experience is even more serene in the more expensive models, which come with sound-deadening laminated side glass.

None of the diesels disappoint; even the 1.6-litre HDi - which could have been so easily overcome by the C5's bulk - performs admirably. Nought to 62mph in 13.4 seconds is hardly sparkling, but the fantastic 149g/km and 50.4mpg official combined figures are appealing in these greener times. Comfortable as it is in the C5 there's a notable difference between the standard, steel suspended cars and the more expensive Hydractive 3+ suspension. The steel sprung models offer more incisive turn-in, though the trade off is a more fidgety ride on broken surfaces, the Hydractive 3+ smoothing out the ride but also smothering out some of the steering feel. The gearshift in all is rather sloppy, though given that the C5's overall gait is more suited to cruising rather than pressing on then that's only a minor criticism.

Worth Noting

Along with the availability of two suspension types there are two types of parking brake on offer - a conventional handbrake and an electronic one. The latter is only available on Exclusive and selected VTR+ models. You're not missing much by having the conventional handbrake.

There are a few oversights in the C5's cabin too: Citroen's fixed hub steering wheel now contains so many buttons that it has become a distraction rather than an asset. Similarly, if you opt for cars with satnav, its operation and the stereo's is needlessly fiddly. Amazingly too, Citroen is persisting with a sim-card operated telephone system rather than Bluetooth like most rivals. That's a big oversight in a car that'll be bought by businesses.

The smallest 1.6-litre HDi engine might offer the best economy and emissions but you're not punished should you opt for one of the larger alternatives; the 2.0-litre HDi returns 47.1mpg and CO₂ emissions of 157g/km - impressive stuff.

Summary

Citroen rocks up to the family market with a surprisingly appealing contender. The C5 not only looks good, but comes well equipped and can be had in super-frugal guise with the 1.6-litre HDi turbodiesel. It's not the most exciting car to drive out there, but it's a comfortable and easy mile-muncher, which in this marketplace is a real draw. Why it's trying to be German is anyone's guess, as the C5 demonstrates there's nothing wrong with being French.