Citroen's six appeal

By Michael Moroney

You can get affordable luxury and style with the Citroen C6, that's if you're prepared to stray from what are Germanic leaders in the luxury market. While Citroen has retained its unique design lines, it's noticeable that the top model in the Citroen range now looks somewhat similar in style to luxury models from other mainstream suppliers.

Citroen has delivered a blend of its unique design style to resemble what's now available from the likes of Audi. Does that make the C6 acceptable?

The new Citroen C6 may have Audi A6-type looks, but it's still firmly French and solidly Citroen. And that's what I like about the C6. For existing Citroen owners there's a hint of continuity; for those fresh to the C6 there's also a badge of uniqueness.

Citroen has a big V6 diesel engine to add to the C6 appeal. There are other engine options, mostly petrol, but for me the gem in the range is the V6 turbo-diesel engine that comes with 2.7 litres of power potential. This impressive diesel engine was developed by PSA Peugeot Citroen and Ford. It's used in a number of cars, including some Jaguar models. It's a powerful option topping off at 206bhp. Its performance is well ahead of most of the 2.5-litre competition and it combines smooth power with operating comfort.

Citroen engineers have achieved more torque from this engine than the Jaguar team when fitted to the S Type. The 0 to 100km/hr acceleration rating at 8.9 seconds is impressive for a big diesel-powered car, but it's not the best out there. Citroen uses that power in a variety of comfort ways so it seems that there's marginally less available for acceleration.

The Citroen C6 is a big car, weighing in at 1,871kg. It almost matches the similar V6 Audi A6 in terms of weight; they are neck and neck in acceleration performance.

The Citroen C6 falls down with its fuel economy rating. The rating is 8.7 litres/100km (32.5mpg) - that's the poorest economy figure of the luxury-end diesel cars that I compared it with. Why should this be so? Could it be due to the range of power-sapping features on the car, all adding to more comfort but perhaps taking something away in fuel economy terms?

You get over 20% better economy from a diesel-powered Audi A6 with a similar engine size. In the Jaguar S Type, this same PSA/Ford V6 engine is even more economical still. So, Citroen needs to pay some attention the C6 economy rating. One of the plus features of this engine is the new Diesel Particulate Filter System, which reduces particulate emissions to very low levels and is maintenance free for 200,000 kilometres. But ultimately, it's the economy that counts, ask any politician facing into an election!

The new C6 Citroen has lots of emphasis on driving comfort and in some ways this separates it from some of its rivals. The C6 uses the latest-generation Hydractive suspension system, which is claimed to soak up the bumps.

This new Hydractive suspension uses electronic control of the springing and, for the first time, damping to offer a comfort ride that constantly adapts to provide an impressive balance of comfort and road-holding.

Citroen has packed the C6 with the latest car intelligence systems. Citroen claim that the C6 information and automated systems use more than 40 computers, two lasers, five radio transmitters, infrared, light, rain, height, pressure and temperature sensors, plus it's "Head-Up" display of driver information on the windscreen.

Citroen believes that this Head-Up display is a significant safety development. It saves 0.5 seconds in reaction time, based on the time taken by a driver to look away from the road, focus on the speedometer information and then adapt their vision back to the road. That's just a flavour of the level of technology in the Citroen C6. And it's just a bonus for a smooth-driving luxury car.

Its safety credentials are equally impressive. The C6 was the first ever car to achieve a maximum four-star Euro NCAP rating for pedestrian safety. Citroen's active bonnet safety system is the reason for that. The C6 has a maximum five-star rating for occupant protection, as well as four stars, for child protection.

And these features are topped off with a new Citroen Active Bonnet, speed sensitive rear spoiler and electric parking brake.

The features available include a Lane Departure Warning System, Xenon directional headlamps, automatic headlamps and wipers, cruise control and speed limiter plus front and rear parking sensors with audible and visual warnings. The aim is to make the C6 one of the safest, most relaxed driving experiences available on the road.

The still unique French-built luxury Citroen comes with a price tag of €65,500 or stg£31,545 in Northern Ireland, for the entry 2.7-litre V6 turbo-diesel model.

You need this type of power and features to get the full big-car experience with a car that gives comfort and legroom in a modern, classic French design that's up with the best in terms of technology.