Island Life Magazine Ltd June/July 2008 | Page 110

life

MOTORING

Too good for
the family
It’s quite an achievement
for an estate car to be a
looker. They are by nature
luggage-carriers so miss out on
the seductive curves of their
saloon equivalents. But the
Citroen C5 Tourer is strikingly
elegant, the front identical to
the saloon C5 and the back
remarkably stylish. It all
suggests before you even sit in
the cockpit that you’re going
to be in for a dynamic ride.
It is comfortable bordering
on the luxurious inside. You
get a great sense of ease. The
dashboard is pleasing and

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the high-spec audio is easy to
use. You feel you want to be
alone in this car, with just your
music for company.
The drive is controlled but
authoritative. Its excellent
visibility is just what you
need at speed: and the safety
features – the C5’s reinforced
structure, a lane departure
warning system, dual-function
directional headlamps, and
the seven airbags – give the
reassurance you need in a
family car.
The 2.2 litre turbo diesel C5
Tourer costs £22,495, and for

that you should be able to live
a double life: the family man
at weekends and the executive
commuter during the week.
The 1.8 litre petrol engine is
cheaper, at £16,695.
Because despite its elegant
lines and executive looks, you
have to admit the Tourer could
double as a family car. With
a 505 litre boot capacity you
could fit prams and carrycots
in with ease, or tents and
sleeping bags.
By its haughty air it looks
as though it prefers adult
company, though. It would

rather save itself to carry
skis and boots than the
paraphernalia of children. And
you can’t help thinking it’s got
its priorities right.
The comfort of the drive
is such that you really could
just drive and drive, and drive
away.
For test drive availability
inquire at Central Garage,
Riverway, Newport.
Tel [phone].

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