Citroen's big 6

Specification, details and pricing for the Citroen C6 have been released for Australian customers.

According to Citroen Australia there has been "almost sufficient expressions of interest" in the C6, so the company has decided to release details ahead of any local launch to assist customers to "plan their purchases".

The largest and most expensive passenger car in Citroen's line-up, the C6 is powered by either 3.0-litre petrol or 2.7-litre turbodiesel V6s and is offered with a electric glass roof and NaviDrive.

Top-end features include electrically-operated front and rear seats ( the rear pews are 'TGV' style which tilt at the waist in the same way as those on the French high-speed train) Citroen's latest generation Hydractive self-levelling suspension, dual-function xenon directional headlamps, speed-sensitive rear spoiler, electric parking brake, 'soft diffusion system' for the air-conditioning, front and rear parking sensors and ‘Head-Up Display’.

The C6 also boasts a maximum 5-star rating for occupant protection and the first ever maximum 4-star score for pedestrian safety, "making it arguably the safest car in the world", says Citroen. Standard-fit safety equipment includes ABS with EBD and Emergency Braking Assistance (EBA), ESP with traction control, tyre pressure warning, active head restraints and nine airbags.

Available in one trim specification, both engines are EuroIV compliant and are mated to a six-speed sequential automatic transmission. The 3.0-litre V6 is rated at 155kW and the twin-turbo diesel is good for 150kW.

Citroen says the C6 would arrive in "strictly limited numbers" to Australia. Prices start at $97,500 for the 3.0-litre V6 petrol model and $103,500 for the turbodiesel. An electric glass roof is available for an extra $2000 and Citroen's NaviDrive costs $4000.