Citroen C6 2.2 HDi

Introducing a cheaper 2.2-litre HDi engine makes sense, but the C6 is still hard to recommend.

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Rating:
On the road price: £28,430 - £34,730
For : Utterly unique, fine long-distance ability, smooth ride, huge rear cabin
Against : Appalling residuals, light steering, so-so quality, very expensive

Driving
The 2.2-litre HDi C6 is Citroen’s value-priced entry-level model. Unfortunately, the four-cylinder isn’t in keeping with the car’s laid-back character. While the unit is far from unrefined, it’s somewhat noisy and you are always aware of the constant volume. The six-speed manual gearbox is positive, but has a light action, and isn’t particularly pleasant to use. Nor did it help the Citroen achieve fast acceleration times. In tests, the C6’s 0-60mph time of 10.2 seconds was disappointing, with a similar story from 30-70mph. In-gear performance was better, though. And, out on the road, the Citroen feels swift and urgent; the 370Nm torque peak at only 1,500rpm making it surprisingly nippy around town. Long-distance cruising is where the C6 excels, though, and thanks to Hydractive III+ suspension, it delivers an ultra-smooth ride. It does have its flaws on rougher surfaces, but body roll is impressively controlled, and the C6 handles well for a large car. It’s a shame, then, that it’s let down by the light steering, which lacks feel.

Marketplace
The big Citroen is not a common sight on UK roads. In a bid to tempt more buyers into C6 ownership, the firm has created an entry-level model, complete with a cutting-edge twin-turbo 2.2-litre diesel engine. It’s only available with manual transmission, but the trade-off is lower emissions and better economy. And it’s just as distinctive as costlier variants. Citroen’s saloon is one of the most charismatic and daring designs around. Details such as the frameless doors, normally a feature on coupes, are just one of many examples of the Citroen’s unique, distinctive attention to detail. As for rivals, Citroen is hoping to attract buyers of the BMW 5-Series, Mercedes E-Class and Audi A6 who are seeking something a bit different. The Volvo S80 and Saab 9-5 are also alternatives.

Owning
The designers have tried to be bold inside, too, and to a certain extent it has worked. The layout is clean and modern, with a flat dashboard and digital display, but the fussy centre console has too many buttons. We’re also surprised Citroen’s flagship doesn’t feature the trademark fixed-hub steering wheel from the C4, while the column stalks can be found on lesser Citroens – not what you want in a stylish executive saloon. The is also a question over the quality of some of the plastics and switchgear. But the Citroen does offer palatial rear passenger room; a benefit of its five metre length! Legroom is excellent and although head clearance is a little tight, the seats are sumptuous. One minus is the lack of cabin storage. However, while it’s very well equipped indeed, it’s not cheap. List prices look hefty compared to rivals such as the Volvo S80, which is similarly generous with the standard kit. When combined with poor residuals, this makes the C6 an expensive ownership proposition, even in basic 2.2-litre guise. For the record, it retains little over 30 per cent of list after three years. At least the engine is economical – we averaged over 36mpg in testing, with the official figure standing at 42.8mpg.