| First Drive | Farnborough, England | Citroen C5 3.0 V6 HDi Exclusive |

A new V6 turbodiesel engine makes the C5 the most powerful production Citroen ever, but does it make it a better car?

In the Metal

From the outside, it's impossible to tell the new 3.0 V6 HDi C5 model from its 2.7-litre predecessor - or from most other models in the range for that matter. A peek inside reveals part-leather seats and an automatic gear lever as standard equipment, but again nothing you might not find in a generously equipped smaller-engined model. This isn't a criticism though, as the C5 is a good looking saloon and an even better looking estate, while the interior is spacious, comfortable and solidly built. There are a couple of quirks (such as the fixed hub steering wheel where only the rim rotates), but this is what makes the C5 a Citroen and is all the better for its distinguishing marks compared to the mainstream of the family hatch herd.

Under the bonnet is where you find the major change for this C5. The 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel relieves the previous 2.7 V6 from its duties and replaces the old engine's 208bhp with a healthier 240bhp. There's also 332lb.ft of torque available from just 1,600rpm, while the six-speed automatic gearbox is the only transmission on offer. With improved economy, emissions and performance, bigger is better for the top-spec C5.

What you get for your Money

Aside from the V6 turbodiesel engine and six-speed automatic gearbox as standard, this new C5 model comes with the aforementioned part-leather interior that can be upgraded to full leather for £800. As it only comes in full-on Exclusive trim, the C5 3.0 V6 HDi comes with almost everything you could want in a high-flying model. It has climate and cruise controls, 18-inch alloy wheels, electric windows all round, rear parking sensors and a decent CD stereo, though you can upgrade to the Concert Pack stereo with satellite navigation for an extra £1,500. Metallic paint is £420 and an electric sunroof costs £510. Rear side airbags can be had for £250 to join the twin front, side, curtain and driver's knee airbags fitted as standard.

Comfort and space are C5 notables, and the driver in the V6 additionally gets electric seat adjustment - plus reach and rake steering movement - to attain the right driving position. The centre console is a little too cluttered with small buttons for our liking, but most functions in the C5 can be worked from the steering wheel, so it's not such a concern. Visibility is good in the saloon, helped by the small rear quarter windows when changing lanes. Rear seat passengers are treated just as well, with plenty of space for limbs and craniums. As a saloon, the C5 is not quite as practical as hatchback rivals such as the Ford Mondeo or Mazda6, but the 439-litre boot is well shaped and the 60/40 split and fold rear seat helps with larger loads. Go for the C5 Estate and it's one of the best load haulers in the business.

Driving it

The C5 3.0 V6 HDi comes with Citroen's trademark hydropneumatic suspension as standard. In smaller-engined C5s, we've generally preferred the cars sitting on standard steel springs, but the 3.0 V6 turbodiesel rides with superb composure. Only the very occasional low speed ridge catches it out and infiltrates the calm of the cabin. At every other time, the C5 V6 is as serene and detached from the hurly-burly of the rest of the world as you'd expect of a big Citroen. There is little road noise to be heard and the C5 serves up a very different driving experience to most competitors. If you want the driving precision and stimulation of a Ford Mondeo, the C5 will feel soft in comparison with too much lean in corners and little in the way of steering feel.

However, consider the C5's driving manners in the context of how a big Citroen should feel and it's spot on. It wafts in comfort and quiet, the steering needs next to no effort at parking speeds and it grips gamely in corners, though this is not the C5's forte. Don't buy a C5 expecting a sporty saloon or a car to give a BMW 3 Series a run for its money. Do buy it if you value being cosseted in a particularly French manner.

As for the new engine, it's hugely refined, delivers more than enough oomph through the gears and it makes light work of motorway miles. The six-speed automatic changes gear crisply when asked to kick down or when the driver uses the manual mode with the gear lever. At every other time, the gearbox delivers muted, seamless changes to match the unruffled, tranquil nature of this Citroen.

Worth Noting

The new V6 may be larger than the engine it replaces - 3.0-litres versus 2.7 - but the latest turbodiesel improves economy to 38.0mpg combined from 33.6mpg. It also drops emissions considerably from 223g/km to 195g/km to give company car drivers something to smile about. All this and the 3.0-litre engine delivers 32bhp more to lower 0-62mph to eight seconds from the old version's 9.6 seconds - so the new model is noticeably brisker away from the lights.

Summary

A 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel family saloon or estate is always going to be of niche appeal in the UK, but the C5 should be on your shopping list if you're one of that small group of buyers. It's not as sporty as some of the competition, but therein lies much of the C5's appeal: it drives in the way we hope and expect a large French car will. It's gentle over the bumps, quiet and sophisticated at high speed, yet light and easy around town. Used values may put off some buyers, but any large capacity family class car will suffer in the same way, so the C5 3.0 V6 HDi is not unique in this respect. At £27,295 for the saloon and £1,100 more for the Tourer estate, this C5 is an idiosyncratic choice and all the more appealing for it.