Citroen C8 2.0HDi Exclusive 7-Seat

Struggling to get all that Christmas and New Year party shopping in your new city car or supermini? Size does matter when it comes to practical user-friendly transport, not just at this time of the year, but for everyday use as well, hence the growing popularity of MPVs.

People carriers or MPVs of all sizes are big sellers in the UK with one in ten of all new cars sold being such a vehicle. MPV sales are one of only one of three new car sales segments to show growth in the UK this year, the other two being luxury saloons and superminis.

Most major manufacturers have MPVs in their range, not just one model line-up, but several appealing to customers of all ages, with and without families.

The appeal of such vehicles is versatility of seating and load carrying configurations; they are true family vehicles even if you are a family of just two people. They double as day-to-day transport and long haul recreational vehicles.

Just how popular they have become can be seen in the recent European Car of the Year 2007 competition where two of the top three models were MPVs. The new Ford S-Max, a sporting mid- to large-sized MPV came out top whilst only a few points behind in third place was the new medium-sized MPV, the Citroen C4 Picasso which goes on sale in January 2007.

Citroen is a ‘main player’ in the overall MPV market with the Berlingo Multispace in the budget sector, the very popular and well priced Xsara Picasso in the compact sector, soon the new C4 Picasso in the medium sector and finally the large C8.

Best sellers in the UK’s large MPV sector are the Ford Galaxy and Chrysler Voyager ranges followed by the budget priced Kia Sedona then the VW Sharan and family cousins the Citroen C8 and Peugeot 807.

Recently Citroen revamped the diesel line-up of its C8 people carrier with the introduction of two new economical and Euro IV compliant diesel engines, an important move as over 80% of all C8s currently sold in the UK are equipped with diesel powerplants.

A 2.0-litre, 143hp petrol engine is also available with the option of manual or automatic transmissions.

C8 owners wanting an automatic transmission with a diesel engine have to opt for buying a Euro III 2.0-litre, HDi 110hp unit, but this is likely to change soon and an auto box become available for one of the two new Euro IV diesel units.

Citroen say the two new 2.0-litre HDi engines combine frugal fuel economy with sub-190g/km CO2 emissions. They are mated with six-speed manual gearboxes for a relaxed and refined driving experience. This will prove popular with both private buyers and company car owners, who will appreciate the lower taxation tariff.

Environmentally conscious owners will be especially pleased to note that both versions can also run on up to 30% bio-diesel.

The range-topping 136hp 2.0HDi 16V unit returns 40mpg on the combined cycle, CO2 emissions of 188g/km and is fitted with a Diesel Particulate Filter System that reduces particle emissions to virtually immeasurable levels. With a maximum speed of 118mph and up to 236lb.ft of torque on tap, the new engine replaces the 130hp 2.2HDi unit.

Drivers of 120hp 2.0HDi 16V models will be able to stretch a gallon of fuel even further - 41mpg on the combined cycle - with CO2 emissions of just 182 g/km. This new derivative is capable of up to 112mph and delivers 221lb.ft of torque at just 2,000rpm.

Stylish, spacious and versatile, the C8 people carrier, depending on model, can seat up to eight passengers in comfort thanks to three flexible rows of seating. With the second and third row of seats removed, it offers a cavernous 3,000 litres of load space.

Where the C8 and its Peugeot 807 counterpart misses out against the main players in this sector is that the second and third row of seats cannot be folded into the floor to create a completely flat load area. The seats just tip and fold forwards so the versatility is not as good as the new Galaxy or the excellent Stow-n-Go system used in the Chrysler Grand Voyager. Yes the C8 seats can be unclipped and taken out of the vehicle and stored in the garage but they are heavy and cumbersome.

All C8s are highly specified, most models come with remote control operated sliding side doors for easy access, automatic digital tri-zone air conditioning, an alarm and automatic wipers and headlamps as standard. The first large MPV to receive a 5 star Euro NCAP rating for occupant protection, the C8’s long list of safety equipment includes six airbags, anti-lock braking, electronic brakeforce distribution, emergency brake assist, an electronic stability programme and traction control.

Having just returned from a very wet and windy trip to France in the top of the range 2.0HDi 136hp Exclusive seven-seat model I can vouch for the roominess and the driving refinement the C8 offers. Apart from the extra power and torque of the new engine and the flexibility it brings in conjunction with the six-speed transmission, the overall level of specification is high and includes such items from automatic wipers and lights to the air conditioning and heated front seats. This particular C8 is very luxurious MPV indeed and it made driving in difficult conditions very easy, but most of all very safe.

I particularly appreciated the high up command driving position coupled with the huge windscreen and low-level facia. This allows really good forward visibility and it was easy to see the front of the vehicle to judge parking distances, something the new C4 Picasso does not have although that too has a huge front screen.

The instrumentation, mainly digital, in the C8 was easy to read and to use. It is all very logical and the information and navigation systems were also user-friendly.

As an overall large people carrier package the C8 still takes some beating and if seven or eight people are being transported it is fine although in a full seating configuration luggage space is limited. Not being able to fold the rear seats completely flat for carrying luggage if only five people are in the vehicle is a drawback and shows up the fact that other models in the MPV sector are more advanced in design and application in this area.

As for prices? Well with Citroen’s price champions policy whatever prices I quote are likely to have changed and of course dealers are always willing to do a deal. Officially the C8 range starts at £19,635 and goes up to £25,520, the price of my test car.

However there are £3,000 cashback deals operating until the end of this year and be sure in 2007 similar offers will be in force. At the right price it is a cracking good buy and just right for carrying all that shopping or just going down to the pub for a festive drink. It is even better if you want to go on a family skiing holiday with the kids and your skis and not trust to the usual possibilities of disrupted flights to and from the snow.

MILESTONES

Citroen C8 2.0HDi 136hp Exclusive 7-Seat

Price: £25,520 (less £3,000 cashback offer)

Engine: 2.0-litre, HDi, Euro IV direct injection turbodiesel, 136hp, 320Nm (236lb.ft) of torque from 2,000rpm

Performance: 118mph, 0-62mph 12.5 seconds, 39.8mpg (34.4mpg actual), CO2 188g/km

VED: Group F £195

Benefit in Kind taxation: 27%

Insurance Group: 12

For: Well equipped stylish large MPV, excellent equipment levels, good driveability and fuel economy, available at really good discounted prices.

Against: Lack of luggage space if seven passengers are on board, rear rows of seats do not fold into the floor.