Citroen C6 - outer poise, inner calm

For more than a decade, executive car drivers in the UK have had their choice principally limited to a few German marques, alongside more understated offerings from a handful of other manufacturers. As a result, Teutonic vehicles have dominated the market. Yet, while these vehicles have become a symbol of personal status and success, for many drivers these badges no longer offer individuality.

Which is why the designers at Citroen have worked to develop, create and build the svelte, luxurious and sublime C6. An executive car for the buyer who wants to move away from more obvious displays of success, the Citroen C6 will appeal to drivers who want to communicate their free-thinking, individualistic style to the world.

A car that immediately impresses with its distinctive and timeless styling, Citroen’s imposing flagship is strikingly different. It introduces new levels of limousine-esque ride comfort and refinement for stress-free travelling, the latest advanced technology, exceptional levels of standard equipment and unprecedented safety credentials.

Big, bold yet graceful, the C6 has unmistakeable Citroen styling, drawing inspiration from the French Company’s long and illustrious history of building large, luxurious cars. The long bonnet, extended front overhang, large cabin and short rear overhang are characteristic of classic executive Citroens from the past such as the DS, SM and CX.

True to that lineage, the C6 has been created to offer a very special and unique look with real road presence, with the resulting design cleverly blending the comfort and class of a limousine with the aerodynamic profile of a coupé.

The C6 looks right from any angle: the distinctive front end, the sleek, toned exterior, the flowing waistline, frameless doors, chrome window surrounds, and eye-catching wheels - all combine to reinforce the imposing look. The back end communicates a real feeling of both strength and style, with the high, arched boot lid framed by a chrome sill, beautifully styled boomerang-shaped lights and a very unusual concave rear window.

Stepping inside, the interior is befitting of an executive car, with its minimalist design and pure, clean lines exemplified by the deep, uncluttered dashboard.

Throughout the cabin, the attention to detail and build quality is clear, as illustrated by the unique half-moon door bins that glide shut, the armrests that are gently illuminated by fibre optic lighting, and the smart, real wood finishing.

And if cabin space is a true measure of executive comfort, the C6 certainly isn’t found wanting. With one of the longest wheelbases in its class, Citroen has been able to create one of the roomiest cabins around. Appropriately for today’s high stress world, the C6 combines space, ergonomics, comfort and safety to maximum effect, offering the highest standards for occupant well-being.

Living with the C6 is all about refinement, as demonstrated by the cosseting seats, which cradle all occupants in maximum comfort. The front seats are electrically operated, while some models can even be specified with electrically-controlled ‘TGV’ style rear seats that tilt at the waist, in the same way as on the celebrated French high-speed train.

The C6 runs on the Company’s much-admired self-levelling suspension, which is a major contributing factor to the impressive comfort credentials. This latest generation Hydractive suspension uses electronic control of the springing and, for the first time, damping to offer a ‘magic carpet ride’ that constantly adapts to provide the best possible balance of comfort and road-holding.

Just like previous large Citroens, the new C6 is crammed full of cutting-edge technology.

The C6 is the first executive car from a mainstream manufacturer to include ‘Head-Up Display’ of driving information as standard on the majority of its models. Dual-function Xenon directional headlamps, a speed sensitive rear spoiler, an electric parking brake, and a special soft diffusion system for the air conditioning are all available.

Even by luxury car standards, the new C6 is exceptionally well specified. Owners will benefit from automatic windscreen wipers and headlamps, cruise control with speed limiter, automatic door and boot locking and automatic dual zone air conditioning, all as standard.

Front and rear parking sensors, a high quality JBL Hi-Fi system and a NaviDrive telematics and satellite navigation system with voice activation are also available.

In fact, buyers of other similarly priced cars will struggle to match the C6’s standard equipment list without picking items from their options list and delving several thousand pounds further into the budget.

Citroen’s award-winning commitment to safety has seen Euro NCAP give the C6 a maximum 5-star rating for occupant protection and the first ever maximum 4-star score for pedestrian safety, making it arguably the safest car in the world.

The latter is due largely to the pioneering fitment of an Active Bonnet system. A first for any car in Europe, and standard on all C6 models, this innovative system automatically ‘pops’ the bonnet up in the event of a pedestrian impact, to create a cushioning effect between the engine and the bonnet.

ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Emergency Braking Assistance (EBA), ESP with traction control, a tyre pressure warning and active head restraints are all standard fitment, as are nine airbags. Citroen’s award-winning Lane Departure Warning System, which alerts the driver to unintentional lane changes, is also available.

Citroen has worked equally hard to ensure that its most coveted car remains with its rightful owner - the C6 is one of just a handful of cars in the country with a double maximum 5-star rating from Thatcham’s security experts.

Laminated side windows are fitted as standard, helping C6 owners to relax in the knowledge that this will thwart most ‘smash and grab’ opportunists. In addition, all models benefit from remote control central locking with deadlocks, an anti-theft alarm and automatic locking when the car is in motion.

Discerning buyers will be able to choose between three trim levels – C6, C6 Lignage and C6 Exclusive – available with a choice of two Euro IV engines: a 215hp 3.0 litre V6 petrol powerplant or a new 208hp Twin Turbo 2.7 litre V6 HDi diesel unit. Both engines are mated to six-speed sequential automatic gearboxes.

So, for those executive drivers who appreciate style, individuality and cruising comfort above ‘performance engineering’, and who are looking to challenge convention, the C6 offers a truly enticing proposition.

Xavier Duchemin, managing director at Citroen UK, said: “We are extremely proud to launch the C6 as the new flagship of the rejuvenated Citroen range.

“It not only perfectly showcases our fundamental values of style, innovation, technology and safety, but it is also a superb demonstration of just how Citroen can bring head-turning looks, individuality and grace to the executive sector.

“And with limited numbers planned for the UK,C6 owners will be assured of exclusivity, further enhancing its appeal to those who want to stand out from the crowd.”