Living With the C6

Once I realised this would be the last Citroën in the executive hypcar production line, I was determined to hunt down the best second-hand model available. Fortunately, we discovered a C6 that ticked all the boxes: a sunroof, all-round laminated glass, a head-up display, and a lounge pack complete with electrically adjustable rear seats. It also came in my favourite colour combination of Blue Mauritius with beige leather seats—absolutely perfect!

While the car was in decent driving condition and overall looked good, its renovation journey has certainly been an adventure. We set our sights on making the C6 absolutely perfect in both aesthetics and performance, especially for those epic long trips across Europe. So, we dove into the mechanical aspects, prioritising preventive measures over reactive fixes. However, we did encounter a couple of breakdowns. The first occurred during a breezy high-speed run on a northern highway when I was rudely interrupted by the alarming beeping of a flaming-red temperature gauge, signalling a failure in a 12-year-old coolant pipe. Talk about dodging a bullet! Had it been the XM, of course, we would have been warned earlier by its coolant level warning light—a feature sadly lacking in the C6. The second major incident also revolved around rising engine temperatures, this time caused by one of the two large fans (photo on the right) failing during a relentless Mediterranean heatwave.

There were also less dramatic incidents, such as a damaged front suspension cylinder silent block (photos on the left) and a worn front suspension rod. We had to repair a burnt instrument panel, and all seven suspension spheres were replaced after reaching their 10-year lifespan. Additionally, we replaced all rear suspension rods and wishbone bushes due to wear that was compromising the wheel camber angle and affecting the car’s smooth ride. I won’t sugar-coat it; these repairs added up, but they truly revitalised the car’s signature riding qualities! One relatively affordable upgrade I can’t recommend enough is swapping out the C6’s Xenon directional headlights for higher Kelvin temperature bulbs (like Philips X-treme Vision) and replacing all interior lamps with LEDs. This not only freshens up the car’s appearance but also saves energy.

Aesthetically, the C6 is hailed by some as the most beautifully crafted Citroën ever. From my more traditional viewpoint, while the C6 is undeniably striking, it still falls short of the iconic duo that is the DS and SM. That said, it showcases a beautifully balanced architecture, even with its unjustifiably long front overhang. The design harmoniously connects the front and rear, radiating a unique elegance that sets it apart from the DS. Those stunning cornet-shaped rear indicators on the DS perfected the transition from its taller roof to the sharply descending tail. Similarly, the C6’s rear, with its distinctive lights and sleek, concave rear window, is almost as breathtaking as the front of the SM. So, am I suggesting that blending these two elements could create something as magnificent as a Facel Vega?