Citroën XM V6
The XM watched steering, throttle, braking, speed and body movement, then changed suspension firmness in about a thousandth of a second.
1990 Citroën XM V6 (4601376671).jpg · Spanish Coches · CC BY 2.0
More than a set of wheels.
Citroën launched the XM in May 1989 as its CX successor. Bertone's long, faceted hatchback hid Hydractive suspension that combined high-pressure hydraulics with electronic sensing. The first-series Y3 ran to July 1994. This page follows the original manual V6 rather than combining it with later 24-valve, facelift or automatic specifications.
Look a little closer.
A second pane of glass behind the rear seats acted like a thirteenth window, keeping cold air and luggage smells out of the cabin when the hatch opened.
Photos show an example of the model or generation. The pictured vehicle’s year, equipment, or modifications can differ from the specification described here.
Hydraulics learned to make decisions
Earlier Citroëns already used gas-and-fluid suspension, but XM added electronic decisions. Citroën describes sensors for steering, throttle, brakes, speed and body inclination, with a comfort-or-sport response in roughly one millisecond.
Source: Citroën/Stellantis · XM electronically controlled suspension history ↗One V6, two power-number conventions
Period Citroën material commonly states 170 ch, while the normalized ECE listing gives 123 kW, 167 PS and 165 hp. These are rating/conversion conventions around the same 2,975 cc launch engine, not evidence of a second unspecified powertrain.
Source: Automobile-Catalog · 1989 XM V6 manual ↗Where these facts come from
- Citroën/Stellantis · XM electronically controlled suspension history
- Citroën Origins · XM
- Automobile-Catalog · 1989 XM V6 manual
Selected facts checked for this edition. Some source pages link to broader model families. Last reviewed October 1, 2026.