Citroen has a proud record of building landmark large cars, from the rule breaking DS, through the SM coupe to the CX. The CX was replaced by the angular; Bertone styled XM, which came as both a hatchback and a giant estate car. But unlike the CX, which sold an incredible million units over its long life, the XM was not greatly loved. Citroen has found like Renault that the increasing popularity of large German cars during the 1980s was throttling the market for quickly French products. Between 1989 and 2000, XM sales averaged just 30,000 per year. Citroen signaled its intention to stay in what was becoming known as ‘non premium large car market’ with the unveiling of the C6 Linage prototype. This was rolled out of the Geneva motor show in 1999. However, it took until end of 2005 before the production version of the C6 was released for the first press test drivers. It had changed little from the Lignage, aside from the inclusion of full size headlights and rear light clusters. The design clearly paid homage the CX, with a very long wheelbase and a very short rear overhang. It also featured a very unusual heavily curved rear window. Like the CX, the C6 was a saloon.
Thanks to the overall length and a 3 metre long wheel base, the C6 hand a huge amount of rear legroom, through the rear seat would accommodate only two passengers. Under the skin, the C6 used Citroen long established hydropnuematic suspension design. However, despite its bold display off French ness, the C6 failed to capture a significant market, with annual sales failing to break into five figure after a couple of year of production.
