Back To The Future On C6

Could this wild-looking machine finally prove that French manufacturers understand the luxury saloon market?

Auto Express Car Reviews

By Dan Strong

15th February 2005

The Citroen C6 is charged with establishing its maker's reputation among executive drivers. Aimed at the likes of the BMW 5-Series and Audi A6, the big newcomer joins the Saab 9-5 and Volvo S80 as an alternative to the popular German luxury models.

There's no doubt the C6 will turn heads - these official pictures of the production-ready car certainly look impressive. With a unique, yet well proportioned outline, it makes the most of Citroen's futuristic design direction, while developing ideas from the past. The concave rear windscreen, for example, pays tribute to the Eighties' CX.

Described as a Grand Tourer, the C6 will debut at next month's Geneva Motor Show. The model will have a head-up display, active suspension and variable damping, and will be offered with Citroen's lane departure warning system and directional xenon headlamps.

There's also a small spoiler which extends from the bootline for increased stability at motorway speeds. The company has billed the C6 as a 'lounge on wheels', with luxury features including electronically adjustable rear seats, extra-thick window glazing and a special diffusing air-conditioning system.

When it goes on sale in the UK towards the end of this year, the C6 will be offered with a choice of two V6 engines - a 2.7-litre 208bhp HDi diesel and a 215bhp 3.0-litre petrol. Power will be sent to the road via a new six-speed automatic gearbox, similar to the impressive, slick-shifting transmission in the Peugeot 607 V6 diesel, which Auto Express drove last week.