By Classic Yorkshire contributor Tony Lofthouse.
French car makers have often struggled to ‘clock up’ lucrative sales of big executive saloons.
Take, for example, Citroen and the fabulous, yet quirky C6, the company’s planned successor to the equally striking XM.
The first designs for the C6 were revealed at the 1999 Geneva Motor Show, but it was another six years before things would materialise.
When it did, the new C6 kept much to the concept model’s looks and with ‘fastback’ styling that drew inspiration from the iconic DS range.
As well as it sweeping lines it came with lots of technological advances, from its hydropneumatic suspension and lane departure warning system to an amazing inwardly curved rear window. Inside, the car boasted sumptuous fittings and a dashboard with the look of one from a jet plane. It was even fitted with fibre optic lights under the arm rests!
The car was offered with either a 3-litre V6 petrol engine or a 2.2, 2.7 or 3-litre diesel engine and delivered an amazing ride.
No wonder it was a car favoured by French Presidents including Jacques Chirac and Nicolas Sarkozy.
The C6 ran for seven years (to 2012) during which time a modest 23,400 were made – a fraction of the success of its competitor, the BMW 5 series.
In the UK only around a 1,000 were sold and it came with a hefty price, starting at over £37,000.
Not bad for a car oozing gallic appeal and limousine looks.