2023 Author: Eric Donovan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-21 15:44
Citroën has rounded off its C6 range with the four-cylinder diesel with 170 hp. Unfortunately, the French stepped on the economy brakes a little too hard.
By Sebastian Viehmann
The C6 from Citroën is a 5-star hotel on wheels and costs 56,350 euros fully equipped - with a 204 hp diesel V6, a super-smooth automatic and litter-like comfort. This makes the French glider an extravagant alternative to Germanic luxury bodies. Now Citroën is shifting into economy gear and is also offering the C6 with a double turbo-charged, 170 hp four-cylinder diesel. The unit is already available from the sister company Peugeot in the 407 and 607 and ensures plenty of driving fun with low consumption at the same time. With the new engine, the C6 is around 5000 euros cheaper than the 3.0-liter V6 diesel. In the basic configuration "C6" there is the luxury French from 41,120 euros.
Exclusivity is lost
However, the C6 lives very much from its exclusivity, and unfortunately a little of that was lost in the cost-cutting measures. The retractable rear spoiler in the trunk lid of the four-cylinder was replaced by a permanently installed rump. The power assistance of the steering is only regulated as a function of the speed and not of the speed. The electronic suspension setup has also been changed and technically corresponds to the more powerful versions of the C5. The four-cylinder C6 cannot adapt its suspension damping to the state of the road as variably as the V6 with its sophisticated hydropneumatic suspension. The driver changes gears himself - with a manual six-speed gearbox.
Completely different character
This gives the four-cylinder C6 a completely different character than the V6 with automatic. The litter-like driving experience with the barely noticeable rocking, accompanied by the sonorous hum of the V6, is blown away. The manually shifted four-cylinder does not require high engine speeds and, despite the lower number of horsepower, even appears more agile than the six-cylinder. Two turbochargers help both engines get going. Strictly speaking, the HDi 170 is not a bi-turbo, because the second charger is only activated at certain engine speeds. But who cares if the performance is right. And on this point there is nothing to complain about. Even at low speeds, the engine is full of juice and power and invites you to sporty driving. The manual gearshift is a bit spongy, but it's quite funpiloting the C6 around corners in an unusually brisk pace. Of course, the C6 cannot be moved as lightly as the Peugeot 407 Bi-Turbo. ESP and traction control will never be unemployed if you expect a little more from the 1.9-ton Citroën. The easy-to-use steering also sometimes increases the driving pleasure.
Driving values not exactly outstanding
The chassis is still designed for comfort and does not have any nasty surprises in store, even in fast corners. You can switch from comfort to sport mode at the push of a button. In terms of performance, the four-cylinder does not have to hide behind its big brother. It accelerates the C6 to 100 km / h in 10.3 seconds - only one second slower than the V6. In the upper class comparison, of course, both values are not exactly generous. The maximum speed of the HDi 170 is 217 km / h, the V6 it is 230. Its biggest advantage is the smaller bi-turbo at the gas station. With an average of 6.6 liters of diesel per 100 kilometers, it swallows two liters less than the V6. The joy of saving, however, cannot hidethat the V6 is better suited to a large luxury sedan, mainly because of its good automatic transmission.
Home cooking in the interior
While the Exclusive equipment of the C6 shines with fine leather upholstery and all kinds of technical gimmicks, the basic version only offers home-style cooking in the interior. The passengers sink into plush fabric seats without any significant lateral support. All around you can see sober plastic surfaces. The digital dashboard is typical of Citroën. After all, it's in front of the driver and not in the middle of the dashboard, as is the case with some other French cars. The top equipment of the C6 offers a head-up display with which the speed or navigation instructions are reflected on the windshield.
The four-cylinder diesel costs 41,120 euros in the basic «C6» version. On board are, among other things, bi-xenon headlights, electrically adjustable seats, multi-zone automatic air conditioning, rain sensor and CD radio. The most expensive four-cylinder with the extensive “Exclusive” package costs 50,670 euros, which is an impressive 2580 euros more than a diesel V6 with the same equipment.
Strong competition
The bottom line is that the slimmed-down C6 with manual transmission cannot quite exude the aura and exclusivity that make the new “goddess” so special. It is more of the fancier alternative to the Peugeot 607. It is, however, much cheaper with the same engine.
