MOTORING firms have been trying for years to match Germany when it comes to executive company cars.

It’s not easy. The big three of BMW, Mercedes and Audi dominate the lucrative sector.

But Citroen are about to enter the fray with the launch of their C5 model, which might seem an unlikely rival.

A £5million ad campaign to launch the French car bluntly states “Unmistakably German”. The TV spot was filmed in Germany with German actors, incorporates an oompah band and sauerkraut.

But before you think Citroen have lost the plot, the advert ends with a burst of French pride in the shape of a “Made In France” sticker and the words on-screen “C5 still French at heart”. So does the Citroen have enough of the Germans’ winning qualities to succeed, or is it suffering from delusions of grandeur?

Sophisticated ... C5 has classy style

In fact the C5 does a very passable job as a German executive car, certainly enough to be breathing down the neck of Volkswagen’s Passat for starters.

But with the added bonus of some French design flair.

Citroen have regained their reputation for distinctive cars in recent years with models like the C4, the Picasso people carrier and the C6, but the C5 is the most sophisticated they’ve done.

It gets the totally individual Citroen corporate face with the striking double-chevron grille, but also gets sculptured lines and a smart rear end that you could easily mistake for an Audi A4 if you swapped the Citroen badge.

There’s more Germania on the inside where the C5 takes a quantum leap forward in lay-out and looks, while the quality levels of materials and trim wouldn’t look out of place in a BMW.

Plush ... interior is genuinely upmarket

The plastics have a plush and soft touch that are genuinely upmarket.

Massage

It took 11 months to develop the front seat, because of its importance to company car drivers doing a lot of miles - it even comes with a massage option.

And there’s German precision about how everything is so methodically set out for you.

I particularly liked the way the dashboard air vents are integrated like wings on to the main instrument dials. You get all the latest gadgets, from a voice activated sat-nav system that also operates everything from the phone to music controls (a £1,500 option), to cruise control and a vibrating warning system if you accidentally cross into the wrong lane.

Space is good for four adults, although tall passengers will find knee room tight in the rear seats if the driver and front-seat passenger have their seats pushed back. Boot space is a generous 439litres.

Elegant ... estate looks even better

So having achieved German levels of design, inside and out, can the Citroen compete when it comes to the driving package, another area of boring German excellence?

Well prepare yourself for a shock, because as a comfortable, long distance motorway cruiser the C5 is arguably better than the German elite.

On more demanding roads the Citroen can’t quite match them but it will be good enough for the majority of normal company drivers.

It has a solid range of petrol and diesel engines that will suit business drivers looking for economy and refinement, because Citroen have done a great job on soundproofing the cars cabin.

£1,000 premium ... expect to pay more for estate version

The diesel engines are the best I’ve driven from a mainstream manufacturer, the 2, 2.2 and 2.7litre versions are serenely quiet at motorway speeds and with fuel economy figures ranging from just under 40mpg to around 50mpg, they make a sound choice for business or family buyers.

Which for me makes the C5 a real contender against any rivals, including German ones.

The only problem is that Citroen are looking to push the brand slightly upmarket after years as the “discount kings” in the UK.

And that means no discounts on the C5, with prices for the 1.8litre petrol starting at £15,600 and going up to £24,000 for the top of the range 2.7litre diesel, although the 1.6litre diesel will start at £16,600 and the most popular 2 litre will go from £17,600.

But the C5 is such a transformation in every way - from style to substance - that it’s more than worthy of the price tag.

It may not be German but it’s a very good French replica with a touch of oo-la-la.

The saloon goes on sale in April and will be followed in July by the even more elegantly styled Tourer - estate to you and me - that should take 40 per cent of sales and will come with a price premium of around £1,000 for its versatility.