Thread: First drive review: Citroen C5 Exclusive HDI 200

Some aesthetic mid-life tweaking can't stop the left-field C5 from falling behind its competitorsWide angle, the Citroen C5 range has received an incredibly gentle cosmetic update; close up, this is the new range-topper, equipped with a 201bhp 2. 2-litre diesel engine not previously found under Citroens in the UK (although it has already premiered in the priciest Peugeot 508). If you were hoping to see the C5s middle-age spread pulled taut by some face-hardening botox, think again. Despite being hemmed in by younger rivals (and with a new Mondeo and Mazda 6 on the horizon), Citroen has only managed to lever LED daytime running lights into revised headlights and accommodate the brands new chevrons on the nose. A Techno Pack (available with any trim level) adds the new eMyWay sat-nav system and 18-inch wheels to the Exclusive spec, but otherwise the interior, too, remains as it was. Consequently, improved engine choice is clearly meant as the chunks of meat in otherwise thin gruel. At the opposite end of the HDI 200s scale is the e-HDI 115 Airdream, which uses a 115bhp 1. 6-litre diesel engine and stop-start tech, in conjunction with PSAs electrically controlled six-speed gearbox, to deliver claimed economy of 62. 8mpg and CO2 emissions of 117g/km. In contrast to the fleet buyer shelf-filler, the flagship returns 47. 9mpg and emits 155g/km in return for a vastly improved 0-62mph time of 8. 3sec and flat-out 143mph potential. The four-cylinder engines extra performance sees it command an 8k premium over the base-spec daydreamer.