Citroen C6 2.2 HDi (2007) CAR review

A big Citroen saloon? Surely they’ve learnt by now that these don’t sell...

Apparently not, but when you have a heritage as rich and idiosyncratic as the DS, SM and CX then perhaps you’ll never learn. Then again, economies of scale with sister company Peugeot’s 607 no doubt help as well, and if you don’t sell many, at least the residual values remain high. At launch the C6 was available with a 3.0-litre V6 petrol or the PSA-Ford 2.7-litre V6 diesel which CAR is currently running as a long-termer. Then it added a new engine - a 173bhp 2.0-litre diesel. The sales of diesel cars in the executive sector are still booming thanks to the Government’s focus on CO2, and currently make up over half of all new-car sales. A smaller engine helps lower the list price, the CO2 emissions, and raise the fuel consumption.

But can such a big car move with such a small engine?

It is indeed a big car – it looks it, and it definitely weights it at 1895kg, which is apparently 24kg more than our long-term V6, strangely. It’s only 35bhp down on power but the real difference comes from the lack of 325lb ft, the four-pot instead making do with 273lb ft. At least peak pull arrives 400rpm lower down the rev range, from 1500rpm all the way to 2700rpm. In practice, this engine is all you need. Paired with a manual gearbox this smaller-engined diesel C6 doesn’t get caught out at roundabouts like our V6, which suffers from hesitant step-off. The other upside is 175g/km versus the diesel V6’s 230g/km, and 266g/km for the petrol six cylinder - it'll save you lots of dosh in cheaper tax bills. But then again, would you want such a luxury car and have change gear yourself? No auto is available on the four-pot, so you'll have to stir the lever yourself...