26 April 2001: Citroen franchisees Gallic Distributors are expecting to sell 2,000 units of the new C5 in a full year, and 1,000 during the remainder of 2001, according to sales and marketing director Paul Cregan (pictured above with Gallic’s managing director James Wyse).

The company is aiming for 7% penetration of the Mondeo/Passat/Laguna segment with the new car, which replaces the Xantia (and also the larger segment XM for the moment).

The price range for the C5 announced yesterday was between £18,600-£32,000. There are three petrol engine options - 1.8-, 2- and 3-litre - and a choice between 90bhp, 110bhp 2-litre turbodiesels and a 2.2-litre td.

There are three specification levels.

Cregan said he expects the C5 to sell 50/50 in petrol/diesel forms, against the segment mix of 80/20. He also confirmed that the company will bring in the elegant wagon version of the C5 which was launched at the Geneva Motor Show, but as yet no price has been determined.

The C5 is the first car to be built on PSA Group’s new Platform 3 and the car is taller, wider and longer than the Xantia it replaces. It features an improved version of the Hydractive 3 suspension which now has the ability to automatically lower the car’s ride height at speed to further enhance stability and fuel economy.

Other features include the option of rain-sensitive automatic wipers, headlights which automatically come on in darkness or rain, and low tyre pressure warnings.

All models have Emergency Braking Assistance and ABS. There are six airbags.

Running costs have also been addressed, and Citroen say the C5 shows a 40% reduction over 100,000 miles compared to the Xantia, with service intervals for petrol models stretched to 20,000 miles and 12,500 miles for the diesels. The suspension system only needs servicing at 125,000 miles or every five years.

Citroen will produce two smaller cars next year - the C2 and C3 replacements for the Saxo and Xsara - and a C6 successor to the retired XM large car will be along in 2003.

Pictured right at the launch are Yvonne Campbell, personal assistant to Paul Cregan and Shona Kinsella, senior marketing executive of Gallic Distributors.

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