Citroën C6

Citroën C6
Overview
Manufacturer	Citroën
Production	2005–Dec 2012 (LHD) 2005–May 2012 (RHD)
Assembly	Rennes, France
Designer	Jean-Pierre Ploué
Body and chassis
Class	Executive car
Body style	4-door fastback sedan/saloon
Layout	FF layout
Platform	PSA PF3
Powertrain
Transmission	6-speed manual 6-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	114.2 in (2,901 mm)
Length	193.2 in (4,907 mm)
Width	73.2 in (1,859 mm)
Height	57.6 in (1,463 mm)
Curb weight	4,007–4,125 lb (1,818–1,871 kg)
Chronology
Predecessor	Citroën XM

The Citroën C6 is an executive car produced by the French car maker Citroën from 2005 to 2012. It was officially launched in May 2006.^[1]

Overview

Inspired by the C6 Lignage prototype which was first shown at the Geneva Motor Show in the spring of 1999, but differs from the concept car's styling in minor details.

At the time, it was hoped that the C6 would go into production by the end of 2001, as the replacement for the ageing XM, which was first produced in 1989.

The XM ceased production in June 2000, and the first C6 rolled off the production line almost five years later.

Features

2006 Citroën C6 Interior

Citroën C6 rear

2011 Citroën C6 in Düsseldorf, Germany

The C6 is powered by either a 3.0 L ES9 V6 producing 211 PS (155 kW; 208 hp) or a 2.7 L V6 HDi diesel producing 204 PS (150 kW; 201 hp). In October 2006 a 2.2 L HDi producing 170 PS (125 kW; 168 hp) with FAP, four cylinders and a dual turbo was introduced. In June 2009 the new 3.0 L V6 HDi diesel producing 240 PS (177 kW; 237 hp) replaced the 2.7 L V6 HDi.

The C6 has a fastback profile which is due in part to the concave rear window, similar to the Citroën CX and some models of Dodge in the 60s. However, the C6 is a conventional sedan/saloon with a classic trunk, and not a hatchback like its XM predecessor.

The C6 was aimed as a stylish alternative to executive cars, like the BMW 5 Series and the Audi A6, and it has been described as "spaceship that rides on air", "charmingly idiosyncratic" and "refreshingly different".^[2][3]

Citroën hoped that the C6's selling points would be its innovative technology, which includes a head-up display, a lane departure warning system, xenon directional headlamps (also available on the Citroën C4 and Citroën C5), Hydractive 3+ suspension with electronically controlled springing and damping, and a rear spoiler which automatically adjusts to speed and braking.

The C6 was the first car to obtain four stars in the pedestrian test rating of EuroNCAP, due to the inventive design, where the bonnet pops up a little if a person/animal is hit, thus increasing the gap between the deformable bonnet and the non-deformable engine components below.^[4]

On an episode of Top Gear, Jeremy Clarkson tested the C6's Hydractive suspension by mounting a camera on it and driving it on the infield of Towcester Racecourse while filming a horse race. Despite the bumps and potholes on the infield, the C6 managed to provide a comfortable ride and stable video coverage of the race while moving at 60 kilometres per hour (37 mph). At the same time, a BMW 5 Series (with M Sport package) performed the same test, but its suspension could not keep the camera upright.^[5]

Former President of France, Jacques Chirac chose the Citroën C6 as his official car, used a pre-series car before the model was introduced.^[6] The French ambassador to the UK also has a Citroën C6 as his official car, with the registration 'FRA 1'.

Worldwide Production and sales figures

At launch sales expectations across the model's lifespan were given as 20,000 per year. In July 2008, the C6 car configurator on Citroën UK's website no longer offered black as a colour choice for the popular Exclusive trim levels.^[7]

By October 2008, the manual transmission and the intermediate Lignage specification were no longer offered. Polar white was added to the colour options (replacing Deep Red). The standard navigation system, named until then "NaviDrive", was renamed "Concert Pack".

The 3.0 V6 petrol engine was discontinued in February 2009 - only the 2.2 and 2.7 HDi options with six-speed automatic gearboxes were offered, in base C6 or C6 Exclusive trim. In June 2009, the 2.7 HDi engine was replaced by the new 3.0 V6 HDi, as was mentioned.

As of 2010, only the 3.0 HDi (240) Exclusive trim was offered in some markets, such as the United Kingdom. Options were limited to Sunroof, Lounge Pack (TGV rear seats) and "WiFi On Board",^[10] a 3G connectivity solution for the car that is little more than a MiFi box and is unrelated to the on board telephony of the car.

In 2012, Citroën ceased production of RHD cars, and rumours suggest the C6 will be replaced by the DS9, based on the Citroën Numero 9 concept car.

Citroën officially ceased production of the C6 on December 19, 2012, after only 23,384 units built.^[11]

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Citroën C6.

• Official UK C6 microsite
• EuroNCAP test results
• The Lignage C6 concept car shown in action