Review: Citroën C6 (2006-12)

Review: Citroën C6 (2006-12)

Overview

Released in October 2006, the Citroën C6 was a large, luxury sedan. Manufactured in Rennes, France, the front-wheel drive C6 was initially available with either a 2.7-litre twin-turbo diesel V6 engine or a 2.9-litre petrol V6 (the 2.7 HDi and 3.0 V6 variants, respectively). In 2008, however, the 2.9-litre V6 engine was discontinued and, in June 2009, the 2.7-litre twin-turbo diesel engine was replaced with a 3.0-litre unit. Of the engines,

• The 2.7-litre DT17 diesel V6 had twin variable geometry turbochargers, a compacted graphite iron (CGI) block, high-pressure common rail direct injection, an air-to-air intercooler, double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, a diesel particular filter;
• The 3.0-litre DT17 turbo-diesel engine differed in that it had a ‘parallel serial’ turbocharger system whereby only the larger variable geometry turbocharger operated at low RPMs; and,
• The 2.9-litre ES9 V6 petrol engine had an aluminium block and cylinder head, double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder and variable valve timing for the intake valves.

All engines were mated to six-speed ZF automatic transmissions.

The Citroën C6 shared its ‘PSA Platform 3’ underpinnings with the Mk.1 C5 . Compared to its Mk.1 C5 , however, the C6 was 163 mm longer (at 4908 mm), 80 mm wider (1860 mm), 12 mm lower (1464 mm) and had a 150 mm longer wheelbase (2900 mm). The C6 was also fitted with Citroën’s Hydractive 3+ hydropneumatic suspension system which used gas-filled spheres at each wheel rather than metal springs. Furthermore, electronic sensors were used to automatically control ride height and vary suspension stiffness according to road conditions and driver behaviour.

Safety equipment

Safety equipment included dual front airbags, front and rear side airbags, full length curtain airbags, a driver’s knee airbag, ABS, brake assist, electronic brake force distribution, electronic stability control, traction control, active front seat head restraints, front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters, outer rear seatbelts with load limiters and a bonnet that would rise in the event of impact to cushion pedestrians.

Euro NCAP crash testing

In Euro NCAP crash testing , the C6 received a five star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 33.81 out of 37. There was a slight risk of serious chest and leg injury for the driver in the offset crash test and a slight risk of serious chest injury in the side impact test. The C6 also received a maximum four star rating for pedestrian protection, the first car to do so.

Features

Standard features for the Citroën C6 included 18-inch alloy wheels, a ten speaker (including two subwoofers) JBL sound system with CD player and MP3-compatibility, dual zone climate control air conditioning, ‘Vitelli’ leather upholstery, four heated and power adjustable seats, driver’s seat memory settings, directional bi-xenon headlights, front and rear fog lights, a head-up display, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, front and rear parking sensors, a split folding rear seat, a leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel, remote central locking, power windows and heated mirrors, power retracting mirrors, automatically dipping mirrors on reverse, a height and reach adjustable steering wheel, an electrochromatic rear view mirror, tyre pressure monitoring, a power-operated parking brake, four 12 volt power outlets, a trip computer, cargo net, an alarm and immobiliser.

Brochure

• Brochure: Citroen C6 (February 2007)

Related links

• Press Kit: Citroen C6 (September 2006)
• Wikipedia.org: Citroën C6