With prices starting at €58,500 and rising to €78,500 the massive C6 could be the car for you if you’re bored with higher-end cars from the likes of BMW, Mercedes, Audi or Lexus. Long and sleek the C6 is the embodiment of the original large Citroen the ‘DS’ and would be suitable official transportation for any modern day General De Gaulle-type.
Despite looking like a hatchback, the C6 is a saloon, in fact it is the only saloon in the Citroen range. The exterior is low slung and beautiful in the flesh. A long bonnet and front overhang, a coupe-like cabin and short rear end combine to make a gorgeous silhouette. I love the pillar-less doors and the rear window that features concaved glass.
C6 scored five out of five for occupant crash protection at Euro NCAP. It also recorded the highest score ever for pedestrian safety with four stars, mainly thanks to an active bonnet and duel motor wipers.
Inside the huge cabin there is comfortable (if a bit too firm) seating for four adults. There are five seat belts, though the centre rear seat is cramped, even my kids complained! My test car was loaded with all the toys including a lane departure warning device and ‘HUD’ (heads up display) that like the BMW M5 option projects the car’s speed onto the windscreen. The lane departure feature is something that we will see more of, if our road markings ever come up to European standards. When the button is pressed the car scans the lane markings in front and if the car crosses out of its lane without the indicator being activated the driver’s seat vibrates. The warning feels like the car is driving over rumble strips!
Hydractive 3+ suspension means the big Citroen rides like a yacht on a calm day. On smooth roads the C6 is fantastic and extremely quiet too. The C6 doesn’t use conventional springs and dampers but Citroen’s unique Hydractive set up made famous with the 1955 DS.
C6 floats along and even when the ‘sport’ suspension is activated the car still wafts along. The floor plan is a variation on the Peugeot 407’s and features a massive 2.9 metre wheelbase. This makes for a very comfortable cabin but there is a certain amount of pitching when you accelerate or slow with any vigour.
The only downsides concern the less than perfect ride quality on bumpy B roads, the vague steering that offers little feedback and the ‘lurchy’ gearbox.
Power comes from a 2.2 litre diesel, 2.7 diesel V6 or 3 litre petrol V6. My test car uses the excellent V6 oil burner. It has enough poke to keep most amused with 208bhp and gobbles up the motorway effortlessly.
Large Citroens, in fact all big French cars depreciate at an alarming rate and the C6 will more than likely do the same despite being a very decent effort. It will only sell in small numbers and this rarity will help the C6 hold on to some of its hefty new price.
I like the C6 a lot, mainly because it is different.
Michael Sheridan
