Citroën XM 2.0i Turbo CT – nicely matured late copy

As with a good French wine, the XM matures with age. Next year the hyper-comfortable limousine will celebrate its 35th anniversary. With its controversial appearance and somewhat exotic technology, it still manages to win over the individualist. It is May 1989 when Citroën unveils the successor to the CX, which after 15 years was about time, even though the DS managed to reach two decades. Just like its predecessor, the XM also won the title of Car of the Year, this time in 1990. Perhaps one of the most important achievements of the XM is the fact that a V6 is finally available again from the brand. Because after the SM, with its six-cylinder Maserati, it remained eerily quiet in that area. The spoiled customer in this segment simply will not settle for a poor four-cylinder engine. The basic engine for our market in 1989 was a 2.0-liter with 135 hp, but the turbo version was only introduced in 1992. There are also two diesels, with 83 hp and 110 hp. The power of the engines has increased slightly over the years, with the most powerful variant being a 24-valve V6 with 200 hp. Mighty machine, but with the 2.0i Turbo CT you won’t get away with anything. The letters CT stand for Constant Torque and that completely fits in with contemporary views. We know it as downsizing. With its maximum torque of 235 Nm, this engine manages to match the twelve-valve V6, even at a lower speed. On paper it seems like an excellent power source for the XM.

XM has a bit of a 007 feel

First let’s see how we get that engine going, the immobilizer can only be deactivated via a PIN code, which gives the car a bit of a 007 feel. The keypad is hidden under a square flap in the center tunnel. Not only the down-to-earth torque figures argue in favor of the blown four-cylinder, in practice it turns out to be a nice machine. In this case, it is actually connected to an automatic transmission that has four gears. A good combination, although every now and then we feel a jolt in the drivetrain.

There is also a sporty gear program, but that does not fit well with the comfortable character of this Citroën. The ensemble of turbo engine, hydraulic torque converter and automatic transmission goes well with the formidably suspended Fransoo. Because the hydropneumatic suspension system was still alive and well at that time and gave the brand a unique position. It evolved into a computer-controlled version called Hydractive. Electronics control the suspension spheres, powered by sensors that monitor the accelerator pedal and steering wheel position. This should ensure that the bodywork dives and leans less and it makes additional stabilizer bars unnecessary. Within a fraction of a second the suspension can become stiffer, but about 85 percent of the time you drive in the smooth mode. It may not float over the road as gracefully as a CX or DS, but the comfort is unprecedented. Bad pavement does not disturb the occupants and on well-paved roads it is an oasis of peace.

Not as futuristic as the CX or DS

The body of the The side has no fewer than five windows and the part that can be lowered is quite narrow. The big advantage of all that glass is the formidable all-round view. There is also the then optional thirteenth window, which you only see when the tailgate opens. This way, no cold or hot air blows into the interior. The dashboard is not nearly as futuristic as that of the CX or DS. Conventional clocks, stems on the steering column and a four-spoke steering wheel. The first generation still had a single-spoke steering wheel, but with the arrival of the airbag this is no longer possible.

The black leather-covered, electrically adjustable armchairs look inviting and are indeed regal. We drive the most luxurious version, including automatic climate control and cruise control. The previous owner added some gadgets. Such as a multimedia system with a large screen and parking sensors in the front and rear bumpers. It is all neatly built in and therefore does not disturb. On the contrary, you even enjoy and benefit from it. Okay, for the beauty of it, the sensors could have been in body color. You have nothing to complain about on the back seat when it comes to space and seating comfort. Production of the XM ends in 2000, making this a late example. The C6 only reached the showroom in 2005, but lasted only seven years. This means that this type is in fact extinct at Citroën.