Citroen C6
I did a double take when I saw the Citroen C6. Personally, I've never been a fan of French cars, but this is one slick sedan. The Citroen C6 is a long and low luxury sedan wrapped in very unique styling. After seeing all the cookie cutter sedans in America, this oddity looks rather attractive. The interior was also beautifully appointed, with rich wood and leather accents. It really gave off this futuristic vibe that I did not expect. You can see how the Citroen C-SportLounge concept could become the next generation C6. The C6 can be purchased with a diesel 2.7-liter 208 hp V6 or a gasoline 215 hp 3-liter V6.
>
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Gabe Bridger 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
Holy front overhang! I'm sure that doesn't hurt driving dynamics at all ;-) But who cares about such details... right?
Reply
Jason 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
The overhang doesn't look any worse than what you see on a typical front-drive midsize sedan.
I like it- long low and French- truly an Anti-SUV.
Reply
River 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
holy crap! you said it. the nose is like four feet long. i thought most auto designers had figured out by now that shorter overhangs mean better performance and better looks. speaking of which, the new passat has stupid long front overhang too.
Reply
JC 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
Huh, Kinda remindes me of the 2000 SUX from Robocop.
Reply
Carlos 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
Long overhangs and fat noses are becoming common in European sedans, due to the new pedestrian safety standards. (BMWs haven't been affected, but they've also been getting one-star ratings.) In cities like the ones in Europe, pedestrian safety is a big part of daily life.
Citroens have always been soft and comfortable (pure luxury in the C6's case, not luxury-sport); they leave the handling stuff to Peugeot (the two companies merged into the PSA group). Citroens have also always been big on technology (like their C4's fixed steering wheel hub), and extreme aerodynamics. They could've led automotive design, imo, if their cars hadn't had so many quality problems (which are only now being addressed, after like... decades of using spit to hold all the parts in place).
You don't have to like it, but hopefully that helps to understand it a little better.
Reply
ETMC 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
As a fan of the DS, ID, and CX of golden years, I really like this cars. The more I see of it, the more I become enamored with it.
At first, I wasn't a fan of the truncated rear deck, but after looking at more and more pictures of the progression of 'la deese' and the CX, I can see how it perfectly fits in.
I'll take one.
Reply
Richard Warren 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
Long hood, short deck, pretty much a European styling trick for years in the 60's an 70's American makers copied and marketed cars with the look and labeled it "European" styling.
I think it looks pretty slick
Reply
Gabe Bridger 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
Carlos... sorry I didn't elaborate. Of course I'm well aware of all that you mentioned. I actually am a big fan of the PSA's offerings in recent years and would welcome them back to the US should they choose to come. I just abhor large front overhangs for aesthetic and performance reasons. (BTW do you have a link to the new 3 series pedestrian crash results? I haven't yet seen one)
Reply
J 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
Like most big Citroens, there's way too much front. It looks odd.
Reply
rip 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
If memory serves me and assuming this car, like most prior large Citroens, has an air suspension, the car is low to the ground because its parked. Then again, I could be wrong, since Citroens haven't been sold in the US for years.
Reply
Brandon 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
Why do all of you guys bitch about overhangs? I don't see you whining about the gigantic overhang on the Ferrari 360 or the Lamborghini Murcielago or do I? Hell, look at the Maserati MC12, it's overhang is about 2 times the length of my Camaro's and it is STILL beautiful.
Reply
Gabe 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
"I don't see you whining about the gigantic overhang on the Ferrari 360 or the Lamborghini Murcielago or do I?"
Large front overhangs don't really matter as much if the car is mid engined, rear engined, or otherwise has a front engine mounted towards the middle of the car (The Scaglietti for instance). In other words if there's essentially no weight in a large overhang then the assumed penalty is nullified. Only when a car's engine is sitting on and or infront of the front wheels (most mass produced front wheel drive cars today) does a large front overhang become the hallmark of an ill-balanced car. And that is why you won't see people 'bitching' about the largish overhang on a 911 or an Enzo.
Reply
fernan 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
with such a long roof i thought it would have more space in the rear..
Reply
Martin 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
I don't know how anyone could think this car was attractive.... big schnoz up front, and a melted Audi A6 rear end... weird... but then again, it's French. :)
Reply
Larry 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
Reply to Martin, "weird it's French", That really bright on your part. Did you ever see a Cadillac or Chrysler or even a Lincoln. They all have a big schnoz up front. They must be weird and like Green Day would say Stupid Americans Like you.
Reply
Larry 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
Reply to Martin, "weird it's French", That really bright on your part. Did you ever see a Cadillac or Chrysler or even a Lincoln. They all have a big schnoz up front. They must be weird and like Green Day would say Stupid Americans Like you.
Reply
simon 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
It does imho look like a combination of 'melted A6' and the old Citroen CX and consequently doesn't move car design forward in the way that the Traction Avant, DS and to a lesser extent the CX did in their days. However, if PSA hadn't introduced conformity to Citroen design the make would probably no longer exist.
To my eyes the interior looks too conventional, despite the Head Up Display of speed and Sat Nav. (Again in contrast to previous radical Citroens) and it does appear from the photos to lack rear room.
However, the suspension (Hydractive 3) should be something special, given a recent move with the C4 towards a greater emphasis on comfort, albeit at the expense of handling precision.
Should be a good buy in about 5 years when the depreciation has reduced the value to near zero, assuming any sell new. Second hand big Citroens are a much under-rated bargain.
Reply
Drew Walker 10:45PM (12/18/2005)
Dear all,
I drive in Europe and the USA regularly and I enjoy the opportunity to drive many types of car. Anyone who drives long distances, regularly, will apreciate ANY big Citroen. (All you folks in the "New country" of USA don't know what you are missing). This car is simply a Grand Limousine which will take you great distances, leaving you feeling as fresh and comfortable when you arive as when you left. Sporty, sharp handling is fun and entertaining for a short while or when the cops are not around, but in the real world, I prefer Citroens. (Gas and oil soaks up bumps better than any steel spring). Besides, the Hydractive suspension is set up for low roll and taught cornering, yet soft and complient on the highway. Something steel springs can never do. The French just understand how to make a car ride well.
Big Citroens have long front overhangs with the weight up front just like an arrow, dart or an aeroplane. That's where it's straight line stability comes from, no fish tailing in the wet like a rear drive, "old school" car...
Drew
Reply