The Citroën flagship "C6," clad in a distinctive exterior that immediately sets it apart, made its Japanese debut in October 2006 as a grand Citroën after a long hiatus.

I Cried Reading About a Citroën

A Citroën appears in the novel "Kenkyaku-kou: The Mystery of Route 43" by Ramo Nakajima. The protagonist is made to explain that it is "a temperamental car with hydraulic suspension," suggesting it is a large Citroën with hydropneumatic suspension, likely a "CX."

I first read this short story in the horror collection "The Night of the Anatomical Model" when Ramo was still vibrant and active in many fields. It is very unusual for this author to feature a car in his essays or novels. In fact, as far as I know, this is his first work to do so.

Perhaps he wasn't interested in driving because he was a heavy drinker. His past stories about his time as a sales representative for a printing company also don't mention him driving around in his own car. He might not have even had a driver's license.

And then, suddenly, a hydro-Citroën. And a ghost story at that. I started reading with anticipation, but it wasn't scary; rather, it was a touching story. The fantastical final scene, where the protagonist driving the Citroën is chased by the ghost of a professional cyclist, was particularly moving. I ended up reading it with tears streaming down my face.

I've had my own Citroën make me cry on the road several times in the past, but this was the first time I cried while reading about one.

Like its catfish-like front face, the side and rear views are extremely distinctive. From the smoothly curved side profile to the taillights resembling a bird's toes and the rear window that seems to be scooped inward, it exudes a powerful impact.

The Benefits of Hydro Suspension

The "C6" is a Citroën that brings tears to your eyes after a long time. It's a full-size Citroën that fills the void left by the previous "XM." It also represents the latest iteration of the hydro suspension, the future of which had been uncertain amidst increasing parts sharing with Peugeot.

While the hydraulic air spring and damping mechanism itself is an evolution of the system used in the "C5," a class below, the C6 is tuned to be considerably softer, leading many to say that the feel of the old hydro suspension has returned.

However, when you think about it calmly, it's questionable whether the current hydro suspension offers that much tangible benefit in the real world. Unless you're a devoted Citroën enthusiast, it's uncertain if the average car lover, upon driving the C6, would perceive a difference significant enough to say, "Ah, this suspension is completely different from others."



Technical Explanation: What is Hydro Suspension?
Citroën's signature technology is the "hydro suspension." This system uses spheres filled with oil and gas instead of springs, and its ride quality is often described as "like riding on a magic carpet."

An evolved version of this is the "Hydractive suspension" installed in the C6. It is actively controlled electronically, with the vehicle height automatically adjusting in three stages depending on speed and road conditions. It can also be adjusted in four stages using a switch inside the cabin. Furthermore, another switch allows selection between "Comfort Mode" and "Sport Mode."

Schematic diagram of the "Hydractive suspension" installed in the C6. (2) corresponds to the sphere.