Island Life Magazine Ltd April/May 2008 | Page 110

life

MOTORING

When it
German is the pays
to go
new French
green

It claims to be
unmistakably German.
‘Schmit Hot’ is how
Citroen, French maker of
quirky-but-cute cars, is
describing its new C5.
And do you know, they
couldn’t have put it better.
Citroen has finally shaken
off its relaxed galic image to
march boldly and firmly into
the world of everything von
technic. You find yourself
thinking of it as elegantly
efficient rather than chic –
though the line from roof
to rear is as flowing as a
Frenchman’s hand describing a
woman’s body.
And then you drive it.
You feel comfortable, not
challenged to perform but
looked after. The wide screen
gives superb visibility as you
spark the ignition and the C5
purrs into action. Appropriate,
controlled action, as it
readies itself to take whatever
conditions throw at it. West
Wight roads, for instance.
Its German build-quality –
now I’m falling for the line
– means the ride in the cabin
is insulated from noise and

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bumps. Acoustic side-glass
helps to keep the outside out
and the inside in, with its
eight-speaker stereo system,
as clear as your equipment at
home.
The car sticks to corners
like a train on a track, but
passengers have a smooth ride.
Leg room in the back is great
for a growing family, and seats
are as firm and comfortable as
those in the front.
The C5 is available with a 16
v 143hp petrol engine, but also
with a fuel-efficient V6 diesel
engine.
Safety is built in. It compares
very favourably with others
in its class. The dashboard
is efficient and pleasing, not
flashy. Everything you need
is within easy reach, controls
for radio and music system
a touch of the forefinger on
the steering column. You
can also select speed limiter
cruise-control from there,
should you find the need.
For test drive availability
inquire at Central Garage,
Riverway, Newport.
Tel 526541.

Well someone had to do it and
Skoda have taken the global
warming bull by the horns to
create a green car. Ok, that’s
overstating it rather. The
Greenline is the eco-friendly
version of the Fabia which,
if it does its bit for the
environment will first save a
penny or two for its driver.
Owners will benefit, for
example from the Isle of
Wight Council’s incentive offer
of free car parking for low
emission cars: the Greenline
boasts CO2 emissions of 109g
per km. Drive it up to London
from October, and you’ll be
sailing past those congestion
charge barriers with no danger
of a bill in the post from Ken
Livingstone (or will it be
Boris by then?) It has a 1.4tdi
diesel engine with 80 brake
horsepower. With fuel economy
of 68.9 miles per gallon and
measures to restrict its weight,
this is a ca "FWFW&֖