Production of the Citroën C5 has come to an end. Produced at the factory in Rennes, France, this generation of the Citroën C5 remained in production for 10 years, with a total of 635,000 units. The last unit to be produced, a Citroën C5 Tourer van, was destined for the European market.
And this simple and natural event turns out to have more significance than it appears. Not only does Citroën lose its last big saloon and there is no immediate successor to the C5, the legendary hydropneumatic suspension disappears with it.
The end of the «flying carpet»
Citroën's history is inextricably linked to hydropneumatic suspension. It was in 1954 that we saw the first application of this type of suspension on the rear axle of the Citroën Traction Avant. But it would be a year later, with the futuristic Citroën DS, that we would see the full potential of this new technology.The double chevron brand never stopped developing, culminating in the C5's Hydractive III+.
Even today, the hydropneumatic suspension continues to be a reference when it comes to stability, comfort and capacity to absorb irregularities. The expression "flying carpet" has never been used so well. The high costs of this solution are the main reason for its demise. But there is hope.
Last year, Citroën introduced a new type of suspension that promises to restore the comfort lost with the use of conventional suspensions. And finally got a name with the presentation of the C5 Aircross: Progressive Hydraulic Cushions.
Know them in detail here.
Will there still be big Citroën saloons?
With the end of the C5, Citroën also lost its last big saloon, which also functioned as its top of the range. Role he inherited after the end of the intriguing Citroën C6. Not being automatically replaced by a new generation raises questions about the viability of this typology. And it's not just the French brand. The segment where the Citroën C5 is located has been in practically continuous decline this century.
As a counterpoint to the decline of large family saloons, we see the rise of SUVs and crossovers. Citroën is no stranger to change in the market and has recently unveiled the C5 Aircross. Despite its name, it is one segment below the C5, competing with the Peugeot 3008, Nissan Qashqai or Hyundai Tucson.
Citroen CXperience
But if in Europe this typology is in decline, in China it still thrives, despite the growing popularity of SUVs. The Citroën C5 will continue to be sold (and produced) in the Chinese market, having recently seen an update. But it will not have hydropneumatic suspension.