The Citroen C5 will get a larger, 3.0-litre diesel next year in Australia, with more power and improved fuel economy. CITROEN will launch an upgraded V6 HDi diesel power plant in Australian-bound C5 and C6 luxury car models sometime in the middle of this year.
The French company also has taken the chance to fit larger front disc brakes to help cope by the performance increase, with variable-capacity steering to maximize efficiency and reduce consumption, plus a better alternator that charges only when needed. The new engine lifts power and torque except slashes fuel consumption and emissions compared to its 150kW/440Nm 2.7-litre V6 HDi dual-turbo predecessor.
Dubbed the 3.0 V6 HDi 240 FAP to return its European horsepower rating, the 2993cc engine delivers 18 per cent extra power (177kW at 3800rpm) and about 12 per cent extra torque (450Nm from 1600 to 3600rpm).
This translates into a 0-100km/h sprint-time of 7.9 secs in the C5 (formerly 9.6s) and 8.5 seconds in the C6 (previously rated at 8.9 secs). As an effect, the 3.0 V6 HDi meets Euro V emissions standards that become mandatory. The normal gearbox is a 6-speed automatic transmission, directing drive to the front wheels on equally Citroen models.
Spurring on the changes are a 272cc power increase, third-generation direct common-rail injection scheme using injection pressures of up to 2000 bars, compared with 1650, revised combustion chambers, double variable displacement turbochargers, a revamped exhaust gas recirculation set-up that improves the thermal ability of the fuel/water exchange by 40 per cent, and an energy recovery method in deceleration and braking via a fresh new alternator.