The C6 was intended to be Citroën’s new flagship, following in the footsteps of the Traction, DS, CX, and XM. The new top model therefore had all the qualities needed to continue the tradition of large Citroëns: advanced, streamlined, prestigious, and incredibly comfortable. Even the name, which referred to the top model from André Citroën’s era, was historically accurate.
First introduced to the public in 1999, in the form of the Lignage concept car, it wasn’t until 2006 that the C6 actually reached showrooms. It was aimed as a stylish alternative to executive cars, like the BMW 5 Series and the Audi A6. Described at the time as a “spaceship that rides on air”, “charmingly idiosyncratic” and “refreshingly different”, Citroën hoped that the C6’s selling point would be its innovative technology, including a heads-up display, a lane departure warning system, xenon directional headlamps (also available on the Citroën C4 and Citroën C5), Hydractive 3+ suspension with electronically controlled springing and damping, and a rear spoiler that automatically adjusted to speed and braking.
The C6 was the first car to obtain four stars in the pedestrian test rating of EuroNCAP, due to the inventive design, where the hood pops up by 65 mm using a pyrotechnic mechanism if a person/animal is hit, thus increasing the gap between the deformable hood, and the non deformable engine components below it.
At the time, it was hoped that the C6 would go into production by the end of 2000, serving as the replacement for the ageing XM, which was first produced in May of 1989.
Unfortunately, sales of Citroën’s haut de gamme subsequently faltered. The C6 was (and remains) a car for connoisseurs, not for the masses.
Citrovisie in the Netherlands has just announced their new book on the C6. Thijs van der Zanden, who has already written several books about Citroën, details how this modern Citroën classic is born.
The book will be available at the end of January 2026.
Price: €55,00
Language: Dutch
Size: 22 x 24 cm
Finishing: hard cover, full color
Pages: 240
ISBN: 978-90-836403-9-6
A “Lignage Edition” of the book is also being offered, reserved for enthusiasts and collectors. This luxurious edition boasts superior finishing and features a ribbon bookmark and a unique cover. To make the Lignage Edition even more special, each copy is numbered and signed by the author. The print run is very limited: a true collector’s item!
Price: € 99,00
Language: Dutch
Size: 22 x 24 cm
Finishing: hard cover, full color
Pages: 240
ISBN: 978-90-836403-9-6
View more and order here: https://citrovisie.nl/en/collections/books/products/citroen-c6
Ordered it today. Delivery expected in February.