Citroën C6 V6 3.0i test

Intro: The most luxurious of French cars

50 years after the DS, the C6 is bringing Citroen’s high-end segment back to life. The C6 is a car inspired by great Citroëns of the past – the DS, CX and SM – whose design and innovative technologies have helped the Marque to establish a strong heritage in large cars. The C6 is also the result of an adventure that began in 1999 with the C6 prototype. This concept car, which gave the public an idea of what to expect from Citroen in the future, was a crowd pleaser. Then in 2000 came the C5, which was a huge disappointment for the French car maker. But soon after came the C3 that won the public back, and then came the rest of the catalogue with the C8, C2, C4 and C1.

Citroen has never had so many cars to choose from and now comes the cream of the crop, the C6.

Esthetique: French high fashion

Over the past few years, Citroen has had a mission to create a proper luxury saloon and the C6 had to be perfect... and that it is. The French designers didn’t want to create a copy of a German saloon and thus the C6 is proud to have an identity all its own, with an innovative style that is worthy of the sector. Nearly identical to the concept car, its lines are pure and refined. The C6 is classic French elegance...this ‘Haute Couture of automobile design is no better illustrated than the concave rear window that will remind older luxury fans of the enigmatic CX. The interior, voted best interior of the year, is first-rate. Modernity and refinement harmonise with a feeling of roominess. The instrument panel materials are first cabin. The original design of the driving position and ergonomic dashboard allows drivers to keep their eyes on the road at all times. The sculpted seats offer comfort worthy of a Presidential limousine whether they be at the front or the back.

Motorization: 2 V6s

For the time being, Citroen is proposing two V6 engines, those that can be found under the bonnet of Peugeot’s 607: the 208 brake horsepower V6 Hdi and the petrol 215 brake horsepower petrol version. The engine is perhaps the only criticism that can be made concerning the C6.

On the road: It glides over the road

Once on the road it is the soundproofing that amazes with silence and comfort being the first two words that come to mind. Passengers are invited to take advantage of the latest technologies ultimate comfort. A road line warning system, directional Xenon headlights, 10 airbags, GPS, a JBL hi-fi pack, and Bluetooth technology will be part of the package on all the executive versions.

Loyal to the Citroen legend, the C6 can boast about its suspension quality thanks to a new alliance between the multi arm axle and the automatic active suspension. The computer reacts according to 16 distinct absorptions. Up to 400 calculations can be made per second, which contributes greatly to keeping the C6 balanced.

The C6’s road handing is first rate, it gives the driver the impression he or she is floating above the road surface. The suspension absorbs nearly all the bumps in the road, while offering a billiard table smooth impression on board. And when you pick up the pace the C6’s road handling capabilities follow in stride. With the C6, Citroen has come up with a very limousine type automobile.

Bordering on limousine status, the Citroen C6 is France’s most luxurious car for the moment; it relegates the 607 and Renault Vel Satis to the ranks of a simple high-end saloon. It is not quite on par with the best saloons coming out of Germany but it clearly has a distinct and audacious personality.