Citroën C6
Encyclopedia
The Citroën C6 is an executive car
produced by the French
luxury marque Citroën
since 2005.
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 aging 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.
The C6 is powered by either a 3.0 L ES9
V6 producing 211 PS or a 2.7 L V6
HDi diesel
producing 204 PS. In October 2006 a 2.2 L HDi producing 170 PS with FAP
, four cylinders and a dual turbo was introduced. In June 2009 the new 3.0 L V6
HDi diesel
producing 240 PS 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 CX and XM predecessors.
The C6 is aimed as a stylish alternative to executive car
s 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".
Citroën hopes that the C6's selling points will 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 is 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.
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 a track 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 km/h (approx. 40 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.
Former French president Jacques Chirac
has chosen the Citroën C6 as his official car, and has been using a pre-series car before the model was introduced. The French ambassador to the UK also has a Citroën C6 as his official car, with the registration 'FRA 1'.
As of 2010, Citroën has sold 19,400 C6s across all markets (reputedly 877 in the UK).
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 is offered in some markets such as the United Kingdom
. Options are limited to Sunroof, Lounge Pack (TGV rear seats) and "WiFi On Board", a 3G connectivity solution for the car that is little more than a MiFi box and is unrelated to the onboard telephony of the car.
In 2011, Citroen will only supply a C6 after the payment of a deposit and it is rumoured that production will be phased out and the C6 replaced by a DS9, based on the Citroën Metropolis
concept car.
Executive car
Executive car is a British term that refers to a car's size and is used to describe an automobile larger than a large family car. In official use, the term is adopted by EuroNCAP, a European organisation founded to test car safety.- History :...
produced by the French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
luxury marque Citroën
Citroën
Citroën is a major French automobile manufacturer, part of the PSA Peugeot Citroën group.Founded in 1919 by French industrialist André-Gustave Citroën , Citroën was the first mass-production car company outside the USA and pioneered the modern concept of creating a sales and services network that...
since 2005.
Overview
Inspired by the C6 LignageCitroën C6 Lignage
The Citroën C6 Lignage was a concept car. It appeared at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1999. It was intended as a replacement for the XM, and Citroën was intent on launching it before the end of 2001...
prototype which was first shown at the Geneva Motor Show
Salon International de l'Auto
The International Geneva Motor Show is an annual auto show held in March in the Swiss city of Geneva. The show is hosted at the Geneva Palexpo, a convention centre located next to the Geneva Cointrin International Airport...
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 aging XM
Citroën XM
The Citroën XM is an executive car that was produced by the French automaker Citroën between 1989 and 2000. Citroën sold 333,775 XMs during the model's 11 years of production...
, 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
PSA ES engine
The PSA ES engine or Renault L engine is a V6 engine used in automotive applications. It was co-developed by the PSA Group and Renault to replace the outdated PRV engine. It was introduced in 1997 with the Peugeot 406 Coupé....
V6 producing 211 PS or a 2.7 L V6
Jaguar AJD-V6 engine
The Lion engine family was developed and manufactured at Ford's Dagenham Diesel Centre for use in PSA Peugeot Citroën vehicles , Jaguar Cars , and Land Rover vehicles. The engines share the same bore/stroke ratio, with the V6 displacing 2.7L and the V8 displacing 3.6L...
HDi diesel
Diesel engine
A diesel engine is an internal combustion engine that uses the heat of compression to initiate ignition to burn the fuel, which is injected into the combustion chamber...
producing 204 PS. In October 2006 a 2.2 L HDi producing 170 PS with FAP
Diesel Particulate Filter
A diesel particulate filter is a device designed to remove diesel particulate matter or soot from the exhaust gas of a diesel engine. Wall-flow diesel particulate filters usually remove 85% or more of the soot, and under certain conditions can attain soot removal efficiencies of close to 100%...
, four cylinders and a dual turbo was introduced. In June 2009 the new 3.0 L V6
Jaguar AJD-V6 engine
The Lion engine family was developed and manufactured at Ford's Dagenham Diesel Centre for use in PSA Peugeot Citroën vehicles , Jaguar Cars , and Land Rover vehicles. The engines share the same bore/stroke ratio, with the V6 displacing 2.7L and the V8 displacing 3.6L...
HDi diesel
Diesel engine
A diesel engine is an internal combustion engine that uses the heat of compression to initiate ignition to burn the fuel, which is injected into the combustion chamber...
producing 240 PS replaced the 2.7 L V6 HDi.
The C6 has a fastback
Fastback
A fastback is a car body style whose roofline slopes continuously down at the back. The word can also designate the car itself. The style is seen on two-door coupés as well as four-door sedans.-History:...
profile which is due in part to the concave rear window, similar to the Citroën CX
Citroën CX
The Citroën CX is an automobile produced by the French automaker Citroën from 1974 to 1991. Citroën sold nearly 1.2 million CXs during its 16 years of production. The CX was voted European Car of the Year in 1975....
and some models of Dodge in the 60s. However, the C6 is a conventional sedan/saloon with a classic trunk
Trunk (automobile)
The trunk or boot of an automobile or car is the vehicle's main storage, luggage, or cargo compartment. Trunk is used in North American English and Jamaican English; boot is used elsewhere in the English speaking world. Trunk is also primarily used in many non-English speaking regions, such as...
, and not a hatchback
Hatchback
A Hatchback is a car body style incorporating a shared passenger and cargo volume, with rearmost accessibility via a rear third or fifth door, typically a top-hinged liftgate—and features such as fold-down rear seats to enable flexibility within the shared passenger/cargo volume. As a two-box...
like its CX and XM predecessors.
The C6 is aimed as a stylish alternative to executive car
Executive car
Executive car is a British term that refers to a car's size and is used to describe an automobile larger than a large family car. In official use, the term is adopted by EuroNCAP, a European organisation founded to test car safety.- History :...
s like the BMW 5 Series
BMW 5 Series
The BMW 5 Series is a mid-size / executive car manufactured by BMW since 1972. The car, now in its sixth generation, is sold in sedan and touring body styles....
and the Audi A6
Audi A6
The Audi A6 is an executive car marketed by the German automaker Audi AG, now in its fourth generation. As the successor to the Audi 100, the A6 is manufactured in Neckarsulm, Germany – and is available in saloon, and wagon configurations, the latter marketed by Audi as the Avant.All generations...
, and it has been described as "spaceship that rides on air", "charmingly idiosyncratic" and "refreshingly different".
Citroën hopes that the C6's selling points will be its innovative technology
Technology
Technology is the making, usage, and knowledge of tools, machines, techniques, crafts, systems or methods of organization in order to solve a problem or perform a specific function. It can also refer to the collection of such tools, machinery, and procedures. The word technology comes ;...
, which includes a head-up display
Head-Up Display
A head-up display or heads-up display is any transparent display that presents data without requiring users to look away from their usual viewpoints...
, a lane departure warning system
Lane departure warning system
In road-transport terminology, a lane departure warning system is a mechanism designed to warn a driver when the vehicle begins to move out of its lane on freeways and arterial roads. These systems are designed to minimize accidents by addressing the main causes of collisions: driver error,...
, xenon
Xenon
Xenon is a chemical element with the symbol Xe and atomic number 54. The element name is pronounced or . A colorless, heavy, odorless noble gas, xenon occurs in the Earth's atmosphere in trace amounts...
directional headlamps (also available on the Citroën C4
Citroën C4
The Citroën C4 is a small family car produced by French automaker Citroën since autumn 2004. The C4 was designed to be the successor to the Citroën Xsara. It is mechanically similar to the Peugeot 308, which was launched in 2007. A revised version with new front end, reverse light and dashboard...
and Citroën C5
Citroën C5
The Citroën C5 is a large family car produced by the French manufacturer Citroën since early 2001. The C5 replaced the Citroën Xantia in the large family car class.-First generation :...
), Hydractive 3+
Hydropneumatic suspension
Hydropneumatic suspension is a type of automotive suspension system, invented by Citroën, and fitted to Citroën cars, as well as being used under licence by other car manufacturers, notably Rolls-Royce, and Peugeot. It was also used on Berliet trucks and is since recently used on Mercedes-Benz...
suspension with electronically controlled springing and damping, and a rear spoiler which automatically adjusts to speed and braking.
The C6 is the first car to obtain four stars in the pedestrian test rating of EuroNCAP
EuroNCAP
The European New Car Assessment Programme is a European car safety performance assessment programme based in Brussels and founded in 1997 by the Transport Research Laboratory for the UK Department for Transport and backed by several European governments.-History and activities:Euro NCAP is a...
due to the inventive design
Design
Design as a noun informally refers to a plan or convention for the construction of an object or a system while “to design” refers to making this plan...
, where the bonnet
Hood (vehicle)
The hood or bonnet is the hinged cover over the engine of motor vehicles that allows access to the engine compartment for maintenance and repair. In British terminology, hood refers to a fabric cover over the passenger compartment of the car...
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.
On an episode of Top Gear
Top Gear (current format)
Top Gear is a British television series about motor vehicles, primarily cars. It began in 1977 as a conventional motoring magazine show. Over time, and especially since a relaunch in 2002, it has developed a quirky, humorous style...
, Jeremy Clarkson
Jeremy Clarkson
Jeremy Charles Robert Clarkson is an English broadcaster, journalist and writer who specialises in motoring. He is best known for his role on the BBC TV show Top Gear along with co-presenters Richard Hammond and James May...
tested the C6's Hydractive suspension by mounting a camera on it and driving it on the infield of a track while filming a horse race
Horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
. 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 km/h (approx. 40 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.
Former French president Jacques Chirac
Jacques Chirac
Jacques René Chirac is a French politician who served as President of France from 1995 to 2007. He previously served as Prime Minister of France from 1974 to 1976 and from 1986 to 1988 , and as Mayor of Paris from 1977 to 1995.After completing his studies of the DEA's degree at the...
has chosen the Citroën C6 as his official car, and has been using a pre-series car before the model was introduced. The French ambassador to the UK also has a Citroën C6 as his official car, with the registration 'FRA 1'.
Production
Between 2005 and 2007, Citroën manufactured 17,100 C6s; 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.| Year | C6 Production Figures |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 400 |
| 2006 | 7,100 |
| 2007 | 7,600 |
| 2008 | 2,800 |
| 2009 | 1,000 |
| 2010 | 1,100 |
As of 2010, Citroën has sold 19,400 C6s across all markets (reputedly 877 in the UK).
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
Automotive navigation system
An automotive navigation system is a satellite navigation system designed for use in automobiles. It typically uses a GPS navigation device to acquire position data to locate the user on a road in the unit's map database. Using the road database, the unit can give directions to other locations...
, 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 is offered in some markets such as the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. Options are limited to Sunroof, Lounge Pack (TGV rear seats) and "WiFi On Board", a 3G connectivity solution for the car that is little more than a MiFi box and is unrelated to the onboard telephony of the car.
In 2011, Citroen will only supply a C6 after the payment of a deposit and it is rumoured that production will be phased out and the C6 replaced by a DS9, based on the Citroën Metropolis
Citroën Metropolis
.Citroën Metropolis is a concept car designed in China by Citroën and presented on the French pavilion of the Expo 2010 in Shanghai . It was unveiled in May 2010....
concept car.