Living With the XM
The XM featured in the hypcar collection is a 1992 Series-I model, equipped with a 2-litre 4-cylinder SOHC multi-point injection engine that produces a respectable 130 DIN. It is coupled with a five-speed manual gearbox and intriguingly has no catalytic converter. Compared to the injection model with a catalytic converter, it provides an 8 DIN power increase and shaves off half a second. Not to mention, it delivers a 15 PS power boost and cuts nearly a second off the 0-100 km/h sprint compared to the 2-litre carburettor version. While it may not rival the 3-litre V6 models in raw power, this version has earned its stripes as the most reliable of the petrol XM engines. It strikes a beautiful balance between fuel economy and hassle-free maintenance, all while maintaining the spaciousness and comfort for which the XM is renowned—making it a fantastic companion for city jaunts or grand road trips.
Now, let’s talk design! When you line up the XM against its illustrious older siblings—the DS, SM, and CX—you’ll spot an eye-catching difference: the rear wheels are now distinctly visible as part of the wings. This design choice signals Citroën’s move towards prioritising style over aerodynamics. The same goes for the trendy pull-bar door handles and striking side panel ridges. Imagine if the XM had sported a sleeker silhouette like its predecessors; its drag coefficient would have been even more impressive! Another distinctive feature of the XM is its unique arrangement of windows, totalling an impressive 13. The interior rear glass that cleverly separates the cabin from the hatchback’s fifth door is a standout. It’s a brilliant way to tackle a common hatchback conundrum: when that fifth door swings open, passengers—especially those seated in the back—are often hit with an unwelcome gust of noise and exhaust fumes, not to mention a temperature drop during winter. This additional window enhances sound insulation in the cabin and allows XM passengers to enjoy a comfy ride. Plus, it can be removed if you need to fold down the rear seat for larger cargo loads.
When it comes to upkeep, this XM has required only a few interventions beyond routine maintenance, including the replacement of the engine’s drive belt. In particular, we replaced several hydraulic hoses against the firewall, which are responsible for returning suspension fluid from the brakes, high-pressure pump, height correctors, and steering back to the LHM reservoir. After 30 years and 190 000 km on the road, all these hoses began to show signs of wear and hardening. More recently, we also gave the steering rack a fresh overhaul, along with its bushings (see photo on the right).
Finally, we gave the seats and door panel fabric a fresh makeover, addressing the signs of wear that had begun to appear. The headlight bulbs also received a tech upgrade, being replaced with cutting-edge LED bulbs that emit a cooler light. We opted for the brightest LEDs on the market, transforming the original yellowish glow and improving visibility at night. Other minor repairs included refurbishing the A/C circuit and replacing a temperature switch on the dashboard.
Driving Experiences
Now, let’s dive into the XM experience behind the wheel! As you swing open the front doors, heed this advice: watch out for the sharp upper corner of the window frame. Once you’ve gracefully navigated this little obstacle, you’ll find yourself in a spacious and cosy interior that prioritises tradition over the eccentricity of the DS and CX models. The cabin is bathed in natural light, with glass accounting for half of the car’s surface area, and the side windows featuring a stylishly curved design. However, it’s important to note that while the expansive glasshouse is striking, the rising tail line does somewhat obstruct rear visibility, particularly in the first-generation XMs, where the A-pillar can block your view from the right-hand side visor.
Up front, the seats come with electric adjustments, allowing you to effortlessly find your ideal driving position. And that massive windscreen? It’s so generous that it even includes a third mini sunblind nestled just behind the rearview mirror. The XM is also the first big Citroën with self-cancelling turn indicators (well, it was about time…). Plus, there are some nifty touches, such as an extra air outlet tucked under the steering wheel and a cleverly positioned bonnet lever concealed by the driver’s door, ensuring it cannot be accidentally opened!
In the rear, there is ample legroom on offer, although it may not quite rival the ballroom experience of a CX Prestige—let’s be honest, that’s a slightly unfair comparison! Nonetheless, you’ll find that the rear seat width is more generous than in the DS and standard CX models. Oh, and the CX’s previous single windscreen wiper, which was considered somewhat underperforming, has been replaced with a more efficient double wiper system.
Driving the XM is an absolute joyride! The car fires up reliably every time, regardless of the weather, and handles periods of inactivity like a champ. The handbrake is a bit quirky; similar to the DS, it requires some coordination between foot and hand to engage. While it does the job, even for parking on a slope, it isn’t as intuitive as a traditional handbrake. However, this unusual design does create a nice amount of space between the front seats.
In this 2-litre version, the manual gearbox shifts seamlessly, making gear changes feel almost effortless, although the gear ratios feel a tad uneven. The 1st and 2nd gears are just right, but when you hit 3rd and 4th, they feel a bit shorter compared to 5th. It seems that this setup was designed to compensate for the modest power of the 2-litre engine, unfortunately increasing cabin noise in those mid-range gears. But to be fair to Citroën, there was also a long-geared XM 2-litre version available back in the day.
On the road, the XM glides effortlessly, often leaving other ordinary saloons in its wake. While it doesn’t quite have that dreamy, floating sensation of a DS or CX, that isn’t necessarily a drawback. The suspension does a stellar job of absorbing bumps, even if it is slightly less effective with smaller road irregularities and pesky potholes. Overall, the XM’s handling is incredibly reassuring; roll and pitch are significantly tamed thanks to the Hydractive suspension and balanced weight distribution. The electronically guided suspension provides a steady ride, reducing bounce and slightly affecting softness, which enhances overall comfort and safety while minimising that classic hydropneumatic glide and landing effect when cruising over a humpback bridge!
The XM stands out as a top contender among all hypcars for its neutral handling, truly living up to Citroën’s catchy motto, “The XM is mastering the road.” It also excels in braking performance, with the brake pedal feeling significantly more progressive than that of its predecessors, the DS and CX. Just ensure that the standard ABS is functioning properly, as this may not always be guaranteed after three decades.
In conclusion, the XM, alongside the BX and the Xantia, emerges as the most practical and reliable of the hypcars. Unlike the DS, which has entertained us with its imaginative breakdowns over the past 50 years, the XM has experienced remarkably few immobilising issues. It’s clear why the entire family trusts and enjoys this beauty as a daily driver—it has proven to be the least troublesome among the larger hypcars. This certainly reinforces the timeless mechanical adage that “simpler is more reliable,” although I would add a cheeky caveat: “the less sophisticated, the less enjoyable!”
