REVEALED: Citroen C5 Tourer

The collective yawn you may have heard around the world at 12:15pm Central European Time could possibly have been a reaction to the new Citroën C5.  Released at the Geneva Motor Show, this new touring wagon has the large, popped out rear window of the C6, matched to the typically Citroën grille and headlights.  Some reporters have likened it to the more traditional German wagons.  Others compare it to the run-of-the-mill family trucksters we've seen again and again.

However, on the inside, we find some more refined touches.  Weighty doors lead to a huge, comfortable interior, with good finishing touchs that makes the inhabitants confident in their surroundings.  It is nice to be able to push the buttons on this car without thinking they are going to break off.  Speaking of buttons, their are lots of them... everywhere.  We like at least having the option to mess around with the multi-multi-function steering wheel and the SOS and hands-free phone buttons on the console, even if it means we must pull over to safely play with the toys.

This new large family car will be looking to compete with Citroën's rival French manufacturer, Renault.  The third gen Renault Laguna has already been on the market since October, fighting with the Ford Mondeo, Opel Vectra, and Volkswagen Passat.

A 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine pushes the C5 with 138 horsepower and 236 ft-lb of torque. Torque improves up to 251 ft-lb with the C5's overboost settings.  0-100 kph in 10.9 seconds off a six-speed manual is not too shabby considering the family-oriented purpose of this car.  A V6 petrol engine and V6 turbodiesel will also be available, with the latter getting 208 hp, and a 0-100 time of 9.1 seconds.

With its newly given five-star crash rating for protection of adults inside the cabin, and a starting pricetag that is lower than much of its competition, the €20,500 Citroën C5 tourer could really shake up the European large family car segment.

Not so boring after all, eh?