[This article was first published on straitstimes.com]
SINGAPORE - Cars with downsized engines are often a compromise. They offer lower road taxes- and possibly better fuel effi ciency - at the expense of driveability.
But the Citroen C5 Aircross 1.2, powered by a 1,199cc three-cylinder engine, is one remarkable exception.
It should not come as a huge surprise, though. Together with sister brand Peugeot, Citroen has applied puny engines to sizeable carriages with creditable results. The Citroen C4 Spacetourerand the Peugeot 5008 - both multi-seat people movers - are also powered by the same diminutive1,199cc engine.
The C5 Aircross has a modest power output of 129hp, but torque is still fairly respectable at 230Nm (available from 1,750rpm) - compared with the previous 1.6-litre variant's 250Nm (from1,650rpm).
The Citroen's eight-speed Aisin autobox does an incredible job of apportioning all the available oomph at any given rev range to drive the C5 Aircross along in a most unstrained manner.
Power delivery is smooth and accelerating from any speed is generally satisfying - unless youchoose the Eco mode, which dulls its responsiveness drastically. In Sport mode, the car might even be described as brisk. Most times, leaving it in its default normal mode is sufficient.
The car clocks a 0 to 100kmh timing of 10.3 seconds, which is 1.3 seconds behind its 1.6-litretwin's sprint. But in the real world, the deficit matters not a bit. In fact, the C5 Aircross is a joy at the wheel - going about its business nonchalantly, with its tachometer rarely exceeding3,500rpm.
Besides being blessed with a rare responsiveness, the car has one other sterling quality which eludes many others - it displays hardly any engine braking when you lift your foot off the accelerator.
This makes for a comfortable commute for all on board. This does not mean you cannot tackle corners with enthusiasm. The car's steering-mounted shift paddles will readily oblige should you have the urge.
For a car measuring 4,500mm by 1,859mm and 1,695mm tall endowed with a 2,730mm wheelbase and a kerb weight exceeding 1.4 tonnes, the C5 Aircross takes to fast curves with steely resolve. Sure, you hear the tyres squealing and there is a fair bit of lean, but they kind of add a dash of thrill to the manoeuvre.
Like in the 1.6, the suspension in the 1.2 has progressive hydraulic cushions. Aside from bike-swallowing potholes, the suspension will cope with the shocks and judders associated with rutty roads. Come to think of it, only cars with air suspension can convincingly top the Citroen's ride quality.
But does the Aircross 1.2 offer better fuel efficiency? Well, the test-car averages 7.6 litres/100km,which is nowhere near Citroen's claimed 4.9 litres/100km. But this figure is about 20 per cent better than the 1.6's real-world figure.
The car has a sprinkling of premium features, including a 360-degree reverse camera, which is not common in its price segment, and a lane-keeping assistance system which is far less intrusive than those in most other cars.The smaller engine has allowed the car to be placed in the significantly less pricey Category A certificate of entitlement (COE) category, in addition to earning it a $15,000 emission tax rebate. As such, the C5 Aircross 1.2 is priced competitively even against the South Korean crossovers
Power delivery is smooth and accelerating from any speed is generally satisfying.
Best of all, it gets all these pluses at no expense to its driveability.
Book a test drive to discover more with the latest Citroën C5 Aircross SUV, now in Category A COE!
[Source: The Straits Times © Singapore Press Holdings Limited. Permission required for reproduction. ]
