25 years ago, Citroën introduced with the XM an electronically controlled chassis for the first time. Important to note that not only the hardness of the dampers was changeable but also the of the suspension and that in fractions of seconds. Citroën was generally regarded as a leader in chassis technology. One noticed this because the green balls of hydropneumatics were to find not only in vehicles from Mercedes, but also from Rolls-Royce under license acquisition.

In the hydro pneumatic was normal one ball per wheel till then. In the now 'Hydractive' named system, in the more expensive models as standard, was added now such a ball per axle. This was connected to the hydraulic circuit of the suspension and provided another nitrogen room, if the electronics wanted this. This made the suspension softer and therefore more comfortable. All that happened very quick, although plenty of sensors were were evaluated at the body, accelerator pedal, brakes and steering.

For the sedan perhaps not so important, but probably for the estate car (+ € 1,125) from 1991 might have been the integrated level controll in the regulation in the chassis control. Even if the up to two cubic feet of cargo space were utilised with the slightly too low payload 530-558 kg, the car had always the same height.

The body, at first glance become simpler compared to the CX and its predecessor did not necessarily indicate these technical improvements. In this case, the car body shell, developed with the help of Bertone, turned out to be something uncharacteristically pleasant for Citroën, once one ignored the rear with its again rising lower window limit. The side panels are low, the windows large.



No, this design did certainly not follow a downright fashionable trend. According to Citroën in the prospectus it should enhance the status of the persons driving in this car. Yes, in fact, it was one of the few otherwise rather conservative upper-class models, whose form suggested on the brand already from far away. Inside however, it was not very eye-catching. Even the initially existing one spoke steering wheel has been replaced by one with four spokes in the course of development.

Four engines are available in Germany. The listed petrol engine here with 97 kW (132 HP) already existed since the beginning, but as well with carburettor and throttle body injection, Lambda control, both with much less performance.This one had the multi-point injection with catalytic converter, first offered only for the U.S. market. Even the V6 experienced a transformation from simpler 2*OHC with 90° cylinder angle and a crank for each cylinder to 2 * DOHC with 60 ° angle. So both have an angle of 120° between firings. 05/14