Citroen C5 X Bids Farewell With Limited Edition Audiophile Upgrade

The Citroen C5 X is nearing the end of its journey, but before it takes its final bow, Citroen is giving it a special send-off in Japan with a new limited edition called the C5 X Auditorium. Primarily, it was designed to create a "concert hall" experience on the road.

To help with that, the Auditorium edition features a new high-end audio system from Bewith, a Japanese brand known for its premium car audio setups. Citroen has mounted two 1-inch dome tweeters and four 6.5-inch speakers on aluminum boards to dampen unwanted vibrations.

The secret sauce is in the aluminum-magnesium diaphragm technology, which promises cleaner sound and smoother transitions between high and low frequencies.

And to sweeten the deal, buyers also get a free one-year subscription to Spotify Premium, so they can make the most of their new sound system right off the bat.

The C5 X Auditorium doesn't come with any wild design changes on the outside. The only visual difference is a pair of calligraphy stickers on the sides that let people know you’re driving a special edition designed for serious sound enthusiasts.

Mechanically, the C5 X Auditorium sticks to the basics. A 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine generates 178 hp and drives the front wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission.

If you were hoping for the plug-in hybrid version, this special edition isn't offering that option. As for pricing, the C5 X Auditorium Edition is available in Japan for ¥5,689,500 ($39,888), which is only ¥71,500 ($500) more than the C5 X Max on which it’s based, despite the audio system alone being valued at ¥300,000 ($2,103).

For comparison, the most expensive C5 X in Japan is the Hypnos special edition, which comes with a plug-in hybrid powertrain and comfort-focused features, and it’s priced at ¥6,820,000 ($47,812). This special edition is Citroen’s way of giving the quirky C5 X a memorable send-off before it fades from the lineup.