Citroen has dismissed claims from dealers that customer reaction to C5 has been lukewarm. The company is already offering discounted finance.

A Citroen spokesman said: “It is simply not true C5 sales have been slow. The first month was in line with our business plan. This is primarily a fleet market and it takes time to get a car on to fleet lists.”

The discounted finance, aimed at retail customers and not fleets, was “on par” with other promotions in the market, he added. Citroen hopes the estate version, on sale this month, will add around 30% to C5 sales, which are targeted to take 5% of the sector next year.

Around 75% of C5 estates will be sold into the fleet market and a high percentage, around 40%, are expected to be diesel. There are three diesel engines in the line-up: 90bhp and 110bhp 2-litre units and the 136bhp 2.2-litre unit.

Petrol engines include 16v 1.8 and 2-litre, a 2-litre direct injection petrol and the 3-litre V6. The C5 estate will be priced from £15,595 for the entry level 1.8 petrol, to £25,200 for the 2.2 HDi automatic.