Although its creamy ride quality and Gallic flair are attractive attributes, the C5 has a bit of catching up to do when pitted against its Peugeot cousin and Volvo rival. The new 1.6-litre drivetrain does wonders for its performance, but the C5 could do with a roomier interior and consistently higher quality.
The S60’s comfortable and logical cabin is welcome relief to any executive at the end of a tiring workday, while the array of safety features impart a certain driving confidence. However, the Volvo’s price tag is disproportionately “larger” than its comparatively compact dimensions suggest – if it were, say, $10k less expensive, it would have won this contest.
So, the victor in this “shoot-out” is the 508. By doing almost everything right and getting nothing really wrong, this Pug will sway even the most doubtful of French saloon sceptics. This latest “white lion” is also the greatest, and is now the car to beat in its segment.
Volvo S60 1.6 (A)
DRIVETRAIN
Type Inline-4, 16-valves, turbocharged
Capacity 1596cc
Bore x stroke 79mm x 81.4mm
Compression ratio 10:1
Max Power 180bhp at 5500rpm
Max Torque 240Nm at 1600-5000rpm
Power to weight 122.4bhp per tonne
Gearbox 6-speed dual-clutch
Driven Wheels Front
PERFORMANCE
0-100km/h 9 seconds
Top Speed 225km/h
Consumption 13.5km/L (combined)
SUSPENSION
Front Macpherson struts, coil springs, anti-roll bar
Rear Multi-link, coil springs, anti-roll bar
BRAKES
Front / rear Ventilated discs / Discs
TYRES
Type Continental ContiSportContact 3
Size 215/50 R17
SAFETY
Airbags 8
Traction Control ABS with ASC
MEASUREMENTS
Length 4628mm
Width 1865mm
Height 1484mm
Wheelbase 2776mm
Kerb Weight 1470kg
Turning Circle 11.3m
BUYING IT
Price $185,000 incl. COE
Warranty 3 years/100,000km
+ Effective and efficient engine, seamless gearbox, sophisticated safety systems
– Least roomy rear, manual adjustment of front passenger seat, relatively pricey
Citroen C5 1.6 (A)
DRIVETRAIN
Type Inline-4, 16-valves, turbocharged
Capacity 1598cc
Bore x stroke 77mm x 85.8mm
Compression ratio 10.5:1
Max Power 156bhp at 6000rpm
Max Torque 240Nm at 1400-4000rpm
Power to weight 106.1bhp per tonne
Gearbox 6-speed automatic with manual select
Driven Wheels Front
PERFORMANCE
0-100km/h 9.8 seconds
Top Speed 210km/h
Consumption 13.7km/L (combined)
SUSPENSION
Front Double wishbones, air springs
Rear Multi-link, air springs
BRAKES
Front / rear Ventilated discs / Discs
TYRES
Type Michelin Primacy HP
Size 245/45 R18
SAFETY
Airbags 7
Traction Control ABS with ESP
MEASUREMENTS
Length 4779mm
Width 1860mm
Height 1451mm
Wheelbase 2815mm
Kerb Weight 1470kg
Turning Circle 12m
BUYING IT
Price $149,988 incl. COE
Warranty 3 years/100,000km
+ Refined ride, adjustable suspension, smooth flow of power
– Half-leather seats, ageing switchgear, eccentric steering design
Peugeot 508 1.6 (A)
DRIVETRAIN
Type Inline-4, 16-valves, turbocharged
Capacity 1598cc
Bore x stroke 77mm x 85.8mm
Compression ratio 10.5:1
Max Power 156bhp at 6000rpm
Max Torque 240Nm at 1600-4000rpm
Power to weight 110.6bhp per tonne
Gearbox 6-speed automatic with manual select
Driven Wheels Front
PERFORMANCE
0-100km/h 9.2 seconds
Top Speed 220km/h
Consumption 14.1km/L (combined)
SUSPENSION
Front Macpherson struts, coil springs, anti-roll bar
Rear Multi-link, coil springs, anti-roll bar
BRAKES
Front / rear Ventilated discs / Discs
TYRES
Type Michelin Primacy HP
Size 235/45 R18
SAFETY
Airbags 6
Traction Control ABS with ESP
MEASUREMENTS
Length 4792mm
Width 1853mm
Height 1456mm
Wheelbase 2817mm
Kerb Weight 1410kg
Turning Circle 12m
BUYING IT
Price $161,900 incl. COE
Warranty 3 years/100,000km
+ Spacious interior, responsive gearbox, balanced ride and handling
– No memory seats, dated dash display, parking brake releases slowly
