Test Drive Citroen C6 since 2006 Hatchback

Croissant under mayonnaise

The French definitely have something to be proud of, because they presented the world of brandy, croissants, toilet water, frogs, finally to some extent guillotine can be considered their national heritage. All these things are different in nature are different, but there is a unifying beginning - the taste, refined exquisite French taste, for us, as a rule, is absolutely new and therefore attractive. Try to look at Citroen C6 from this point of view, and then try to say that you did not like the car.
 
The first association, which arises from almost everyone who is not alien to the automotive world of man at the mention of the Sedan of the Executive Class, with a 99 percentage of probability will be associated with one of the three known German brands known to any studio. Yes, forgive other, no less worthy manufacturers of such a bold statement, but in this segment it is Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi in this segment. The rest are still forced to be satisfied with the place in the honorary escort and the dreams to take, the lined place on the pedestal. But even if even the ghost hope is worth trying. As a result, some go beyond the way, copying the leaders and parallel to the buyer with acceptable cost, others, on the contrary, make a bet on high technologies. The French, as always, chose their walkway, trying if not shocked, at least at least surprise, in parallel provoking the client for the approval of gross violations of traditions and obstacles. And speech between topics is about, perhaps, the conservative segment of the automotive market.
 
It seems that this particular protest and already familiar to the brand and laid in the design philosophy Citroen - a sedanted hatchback for us is no longer in the wonder, but where have you seen such a hatchback sedan, and even such sizes? Yes, it is no collapse, although it will be more appropriate to say - unusual, especially since the traditions are not violated formally, because C6 is still a sedan. And the truth is, here everything is only in detail. At first glance, the body panels, and the front optics, and the rear lights are geometrically correct, but their forms are so frivolny that sometimes you start to be afraid of zealous workers of classical proportions - no matter how the blow did not grab, looking at it disgrace. The rear window is only curved in the cabin, which is like it seems that it is the last drawing, in turn, provided a certain negative impact on the aerodynamic properties of the body, as it is already 80 km / h with an automatically extended trunk, which is automatically extended from the lid of the trunk .
 
However, enough about the external - the inner world of the sedan is no less interesting. In some incomprehensible way, the French managed even a fashionable symmetrical front panel today to make absolutely unlike such interior details of competitors. Torpedo more than massively, but due to complex architecture and original execution, it seems unusual compact, but quite ergonomic. What you can not say, however, about the central console. At first glance, nothing complicated French suggested, but the abundance of buttons and the decent information loadability of the latter requires certain skills, so that the study of its functions 15-20 will still have to be studied.
 
But believe me, this time will not be spent in vain - several very original options with proper handling may be quite by the way. Take at least an AFIL system warning of an unauthorized change of strip. I am fulfilled by it quite a hard massage of the driver's fifth point together with no less pleasant this time ear crunch trying to straighten the ESP trajectory will wake up to wake up anyone, it's a pity that the markup is chaotic on our roads it recognizes not always. Another nice little thing is the possibility of voice control of the on-board computer. Very convenient, especially when, for example, you have to switch between the built-in phone and the CD player. True, for a complete mutual understanding of French better to learn.
 
But all this is only a small tolik of that comfort, which provides C6 with all its passengers. The number of electric drives on each of the four seams of the same seven from the BMW Frenchman, of course, is inferior, but it does not interfere with the highest possible position. The possible lack of adjustment range with more than compensates for the space between the front and rear rows. But the visibility in the cabin could have been better than the sizes of side mirrors sacrificed in favor of appearance, the salon also does not particularly differ informativeness, and the rear arm racks are greatly disturbed to directly control the rear hemisphere. However, it's get used to this after a while.
 
We will have to get used to the specific operation of a 6-speed automaton associated with the only one offered for the model with a 3-liter 215-strong gasoline V6. By itself, the power unit is quite adequate, travelers and even taking into account the working volume is economical, but the transmission left a strange impression. Rural's reactions from it, of course, did not require, but sometimes the machine literally displays. If there are three fixed settings (the usual, winter, sports) and sequential mode, it turned out to be very thoughtful, both when starting and when accelerated. And switching to one or another mode to the situation seemed to affect very slightly.
 
But why do not claim complaints, so it is to branded pneumatic suspension. The constantly monitoring state of the roadway and appropriately adjusting the electronics dampers with its responsibilities is coping with five plus. It seems that there is nothing impossible for it - even on the tramways, forced in sports mode, the furry shaking is stopped after 3-4 seconds. Yes, and the sports regime itself turned out to be more than comfortable. And this is despite the fact that the transition to it and significantly reduces rolls, and reduces the amplitude of the swing. It does not have to talk about softer settings and speak - the car literally floats over the coating, without reacting either on the hatches, nor on potholes or wrapped.
 
Although it would be strange to wait for another behavior from Citroen, and even a representative class. In the end, this is not a rally bar, and the main thing in his salon is not a driver. It is a pity that those who want to occupy the appropriate place in our country will probably be a bit. And the main problem of this car is not in the lack of ephemeral prestige - it is too noticeable, and we have not been accepted.
 
Text: Vladimir Lodine
 

A source: Mkmobile magazine [13.11.2006]