Citroën XM: the technological pioneer

In 1974, Citroën decided to develop a new model that would succeed the legendary “shark”, the Citroën DS, and include very advanced systems and the extensive experience the French brand had acquired with the beautiful SM.

The Citroën CX was that successor and the first to feature the innovative DIRAVI steering system, which was later fitted to all CX models. This system automatically centred the steering wheel whenever it was released, working as a steering system of great smoothness.

After more than one million CX units sold, by 1989 the time had come to succeed it with another model. This is where our protagonist of today comes in: the Citroën XM.

Continuity with ahead-of-its-time advances

The Citroën XM was meant to position itself as the brand’s flagship, with an original design and a large amount of technological equipment for the time, notably the hydractive suspension that Citroën had been working on for years, and which, as a curiosity, already featured Sport mode back then.

The Citroën XM was sold between 1989 and 2000, and its name came from combining the “X”, characteristic of Citroën cars of the era, with the “M” of Maserati, since the design by Bertone for this vehicle was inspired by the iconic Citroën SM, known for its clean and elegant lines, which was produced by Citroën and Maserati between 1970 and 1975.

The 6-cylinder heart: the great draw

In 1989, the XM became the object of desire for the brand’s purists, as an option was available: a V6 version, producing up to 200 CV.

That the Citroën XM could take a six-cylinder engine was a major novelty, since there had been no such option from the brand since the SM.

In addition to the aforementioned V6 version, there were also more economical versions with four-cylinder engines of 2.0 litres displacement, petrol, as well as diesel versions, which offered low consumption and a high level of ride comfort.

As curiosities, the XM, responding to many of the demands of former CX customers, increased its interior space and was fitted with seats with a high-quality finish, optionally upholstered in leather, wide and comfortable, allowing long journeys in complete comfort.

These seats could also feature electric adjustment. In the XM, electric adjustment could be fitted to everything from the car’s four windows to the central armrest.

The steering wheel was another highlight of the XM’s interior, being a distinctive single-spoke wheel with buttons for controlling the radio, truly surprising equipment considering we are talking about the early 90s.

The Citroën XM had a strong commitment to providing comfort and practicality to its occupants, especially its driver. It offered a 360º view thanks to no less than 12 mirrors, or even a courtesy light under the bonnet, in case we needed to access the engine at night and had nothing to light the way.

The Citroën XM had behind it a large investment by the French brand which, although it took care of many visible details, neglected some systems that later gave rise to the bad reputation many of these cars acquired due to their electronic faults.