Month: May 2016

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A spaceship has landed – the new Lexus RX 450h

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Let’s not worry about the technology. Just stand back and marvel at the styling of the latest RX 450h.

I’m genuinely surprised – it knocks the style-less X5 for six (not difficult) and gives the Range Rover Sport a kicking too. Is there a prettier SUV out there? I think possibly not.

The angular lines are aided by some gunmetal paintwork. It costs an additional £645 but the result is a fantastic statement of futuristic design. This is a spaceship on four wheels. I’ve been marveling at it all day.

On Friday I will try the RX on the road and see if it lives up to all that promise…

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The Citroen C5 isn’t endearing enough to be likeable

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My father’s Citroen CX was born in the 1980s and is still one of the quirkiest cars I’ve ever driven.

You may remember the ‘spinning ball’ speedometer, self-centering steering wheel and hydropneumatic suspension system that ironed out every bump but made handling a challenge.

I’d like to say the C5 was an unusual prospect too – after all, it does have a supremely comfortable ride and a fixed centre to the steering wheel that  doesn’t rotate when turned. Weird.

However, this big Citroen lacks anything that could be labelled endearing. It’s well past its sell-by date and does nothing to promote the qualities of many of Citroen’s other fine vehicles.

I like driving down memory lane – but £24,000 on a car that essentially hasn’t changed since 2008 is a bit too rich for me.

 

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Any Germanness qualities about the Citroen C5 have been overtaken by better rivals

 

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I’ve been looking for hints of Germanness about the C5 over the Bank Holiday weekend. Citroen wanted to show the car was based on such principles when it was launched eight years ago.

Unfortunately, time hasn’t been kind to this Mondeo-sized saloon. Unlike German manufactured machines, the C5 has stood still and is now urgently in need of a replacement.

The quality that sparkled at launch in 2008 has been overwhelmed by better specced, better driving rivals from manufacturers across Europe.

Slow, ponderous and lacking in charisma, I rather wonder how many Citroen actually sell here in the UK on an annual basis…

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The Citroen C5 – perfect for blending into the background

 

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If I was going to do a bank job then I would choose the Citroen C5 as my getaway car. Why? Because nobody would see me in it.

If you want to remain incognito, this faceless, under-styled saloon is the perfect match. It disappears into the background like an extra in an epic movie.

It’s difficult to like the C5 simply because it has nothing of any consequence about it.

C5 owners will tell you that it’s super comfortable (‘rides on air’ is a particular favourite quote), sips diesel and is very roomy in the back, with a large boot to match.

I think it’s my Tupperware Car of The Year. Immensely practical but dull. Perfect for people who like caravans and keep a record of their fuel consumption…