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Weekend roadtest : Citroen C8 2.2HDi Auto Exclusive
publication date: Feb 20, 2010
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author/source: Robin Roberts
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The French have always had a love affair with big families.
So much so that they have even created the “familiale” or enlarged
versions of popular models. They were among the first to create the
modern MPV, which was a European sized smaller version of the US
‘vans’.
The Citroen C8 is the company’s MPV which is unashamedly
aimed at the market which demands the ability to move many people in
comfort and room.
There are six versions of the C8 in the range and
they have choice of three diesel engines, three trim levels and a truly
mind-boggling list of standard or optional features. You will be hard
pressed to find two identical C8s in a car park. |  | | My 2.2 litre automatic was in the Exclusive trim and
takes seven in total, with power sliding rear side doors and a manual
rear door of enormous proportions which demand some strength to open or
close despite its spring assistance.
The 173bhp four-cylinder engine
is not big by modern standards but it gives the C8 respectable
acceleration and good cruising ability and the potential of good fuel
returns as well as emitting under 200gkm on the gases test. |
It was matched on the test car to a smooth, easy to
select automatic box which could be sequentially moved through the
ratios if preferred to optimise performance. Left to its own devices it
was effortless and seemed to have the right ratio for anything required.
It
did not tend to change up or down in a premature manner and it was
always quiet. Which is more than could be said for the engine at times.
A four-cylinder over 2.0 litres is usually a noisy engine and it
was so with the C8 when it was pressed to perform either lightly laden
or when heaped with additional people to move. It sounded rough at the
edges under acceleration.
The steering and brakes were both very
good, the C8 turning effortlessly, quickly and tightly in town while
the brakes showed enormous power and slowed it dramatically and safely.
Minor
controls were tightly grouped around the column and not always in
direct line of sight with some fascia switches hidden from view by the
wheel rim or their positioning on the lower roll of the dashboard.
By
contrast, the central console carried a multitude of switches for
heating and ventilation, the sound system and on-board navigation,
which is an £1,700 optional extra on the Exclusive. They were clear and
comprehensive.
The heating and ventilation worked well in the C8,
warming or cooling the big cabin as desired thanks to separate controls
for front and back sections as well as right and left sides. Powered
windows add to choices but there was no sunroof on the test vehicle and
it’s a £1,000 extra in electrical form only.
Where the Citroen C8 leaves many rivals way behind is in
the voluminous oddments space and available combinations of luggage
layouts with all seats in use or just the front pair.
Very big fascia bins are matched by a deep glovebox, long deep door pockets in front and back, and underfloor storage. |  | | Excellent access is provided throughout with big opening
doors, low floor levels and once inside the head and legroom is good.
You have very good, leather covered seats with armrests in the front,
and their shape and support is reasonably comfortable as well.
Full
seat belts are provided for all. Access to the rearmost pair of seats
is tricky and best left to children or teenagers as legroom is short in
these.
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Not only are the seats comfortable but the Citroen C8 rides
very well over any surface even if it does not keep quiet about how
well the springs are coping with what’s underneath.
There is a tendency
to roll around tight turns but the system does a good job at
controlling wallowing, pitching and rolling.
For a large vehicle the C8 stays well planted on the
road even if it does not convey a lot of feedback to the driver. It
corners in a fairly neutral manner but damp surfaces see it running
wide before lifting off the throttle brings it back on course in an
entirely safe manner.
Visibility is very good with the C8 thanks to
the low waistline, large windows and practical shape. Wipers are good
both ends and the headlights give a long wide beam.
Because of the
good visibility you can read the road ahead very well and anticipate
overtaking opportunities to maximise the available power. It is not a
sports suv and the performance is not exceptional but it delivers good
economy for a family vehicle.
Which comes back to the point of the
Citroen C8. It is meant for carrying people in comfort along with a lot
of luggage, or goods. It does its job admirably, and if you fill the
vehicle with people it is also more environmentally friendly.
It is not cheap and you have to ensure you will use it to the full potential. |
| FAST FACTS Citroen C8 2.2HDi Auto Exclusive | | Price: £30,395 | Mechanical: 4cyl 2.2 173bhp, automatic | | | Max speed: 122mph | 0-62mph: 11.7sec | | | Combined mpg: 34mpg | CO2 emissions: 199gkm | | | Insurance group: 14 | | | | BIK rating: 30pc | Warranty: 3yrs/ 60k | |
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