The XM in Brief
Innovations can swing from the wildly revolutionary to the more humdrum, and they are relative to the era. Take the Citroën DS, hailed as an “alien” vehicle back in the mid ’50s, while the XM—launched during the vibrant ’90s—was proudly labelled as “modern.” By this time, the technological gap between car manufacturers had closed significantly, with front-wheel drive, independent suspension on all four wheels, and advanced active and passive safety features becoming standard. Computers also began to play a role in car design. Nevertheless, the XM won the coveted Car of the Year award in 1990, showcasing its relentless innovation. Today, the XM is celebrated as a state-of-the-art hypcar of the ’90s that paved the way for the future, especially in the realm of active suspensions.