2023 Author: Eric Donovan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-21 15:44
Citroën's goddess is like a 5-star hotel on wheels. The C6 brings what you still have to get at the bar from other luxury sledges to your room. But how suitable is the French for everyday use? We did the practical test.
By Sebastian Viehmann
So much has been written about the design of the C6 that it is better to leave a judgment to your own taste. In any case, the C6 is an extraordinary sight. Everyone looks when Citroën's five-meter-long diva lolls lasciviously on the asphalt. So the question arises whether the luxury vamp can only shine with a beautiful appearance or also with inner values. In terms of price-performance ratio, the upper-class competition from Audi, BMW or Mercedes has to give up at first glance. The two versions “C6” (from 42,500 euros) and “Pallas” (from 45,500 euros) are well equipped with automatic air conditioning, cruise control, CD audio system, ESP, nine airbags, xenon lights and numerous electrical helpers.
"Exclusive" recommendation
But if you are interested in a C6, you should opt for the top “Exclusive” variant. For 51,900 euros you can enjoy heated leather upholstery, an audio and navigation system, dynamic cornering lights and a lane change assistant. The base engine is a V6 petrol engine, the V6 turbodiesel costs 3000 euros extra.
When you take a seat in the C6, you feel like you are in an American road cruiser. The noble French offers endless living space. The driver's seat with lumbar support is adjustable in five axes, and the control buttons are easily accessible in the door rest.
It is also cozy in the rear, which thanks to the consistently flat floor gives plenty of legroom. For an extra charge of 1300 euros, you can treat yourself to electrically adjustable individual seats at the rear, which can be brought into a reclining position. On the other hand, the trunk volume is pretty tight at 421 liters, which even sinks to 411 liters with individual seating. The maximum load of 380 kilograms is also very modest compared to the class. After all, the rear seat can be folded down in parts.
Noble equipment
The workmanship and appearance of the materials in the interior, with fine leather and plenty of wood and aluminum applications, are just as you would expect from a luxury sedan. The effort to create a calm, exclusive atmosphere is also evident in the little things. The wooden-clad storage compartments in the doors slide gently up to close.
The two cup holders are hidden vertically in the dashboard and turn leisurely 90 degrees into position when folded out. On the other hand, things are rather restless above the center console. Airbus pilots will immediately feel at home here - more than 50 switches and buttons nestle under the otherwise clinically clean dashboard. The function buttons on the steering wheel are practical; incomprehensibly they are not illuminated. There is bad news for watch fanatics. Instead of round instruments, Citroën's noble coach relies entirely on digital displays. However, they are easy to read in all lighting conditions. You can get used to the head-up display very quickly. This reflects the speed and other information such as navigation instructions in the windshield.
High time to finally start the engine - by the way, one of the few things that cannot be done at the push of a button, as with many competitive cruisers. The biggest difference to other luxury sedans can be seen under the mighty bonnet. There is a choice of a 3.0-liter V6 with 211 hp and a V6 HDi diesel unit with two turbochargers that develops 204 horsepower. This will elicit a tired smile from performance-indulgent customers of other brands. But the C6 knows how to use its manageable horses effectively, especially in the biturbo diesel with variable turbine geometry. The unit was developed jointly by PSA and Ford. The full engine noise can be heard.
440 Nm maximum torque
Even at low engine speeds, Citroëns Diesel delivers its maximum torque of 440 Newton meters and delivers powerful thrust after a brief turbo lag. The six-speed automatic shifts as smooth as butter and can be persuaded to shift up later by switching to sport mode. With an acceleration of 9.3 seconds to 100 km / h, the C6 can of course not compete with the majority of the upper-class competition. But brisk travel and safe overtaking are always possible with the 1.9-tonne French diva. The maximum speed is specified as 230 km / h, our test car could be brought to 242 km / h with a little start according to the speedometer. However, you should have some time to accelerate from 180 km / h.
Grim front
Not entirely unimportant in the upper class: The overtaking prestige of the C6 is surprisingly good, probably thanks to the xenon light and the wide, slightly grim front. The retractable rear spoiler should improve aerodynamics and stability. The lane change assistant is also extravagant. At speeds above 80 km / h, it warns the driver with rhythmic blows against the seat cushion if you drive over a median without blinking. On construction sites, this sometimes leads to an involuntary permanent massage of the bottom, so that the system is often switched off.
The noise level is pleasantly low. In the C6, you can simply enjoy escapism à la Française, turn up the JBL sound system and lean back and relax while listening to classical music. Incidentally, techno or house music is also ideal for the C6. In combination with the suspension, which bobbles up and down very easily, you can enjoy the fat bass from the lush speakers, which makes the exterior mirror tremble. The suspension is known to be the strength of the luxury French. The ingenious axle system and the hydropneumatic suspension of the C6 ensure driving comfort that is second to none. Whether cobblestones, bumps or gravel - the great Frenchman glides over everything and saves his occupants the harsh reality of the road.
Suspension varies automatically
The hardness of the suspension is automatically varied depending on the nature of the ground and the driving situation and even adapted to the driving style of the chauffeur. The sport setting for the chassis, which prevents the gentle rocking movements of the hydropneumatics and ensures a noticeably harder set-up, has proven itself on motorways. Impetuous cornering is still not the strength of the C6, which is also due to the smooth and callous steering. If you have left the motorway or country road and decided with a heavy heart to leave the cozy C6 luxury hotel, it becomes difficult.
Parking becomes a balancing act, especially with the endless bonnet. A little golden bell in the glove compartment would be appropriate, with which you can get a liveried guide. The C6 has something similar - the electronic parking aid (series from ?? Pallas ?? equipment) with optical and acoustic warning function provides indispensable services. At the gas station, our test car was satisfied with just under eight liters per 100 kilometers during a cautious journey outside of town. If you step on the gas frequently, the thirst of the C6 increases significantly. In the city you are there with an average of 13 liters.
