CITROEN XM · photos, packages and modifications

Launched in 1989 the Citroen XM was the replacement for the Citroen CX model. The XM model went on wining the prestigious Car Of The Year Award in 1990, and won a total of 14 awards that year. The extreme slender Bertone design was well balanced, it made the car look like it was the model ideal for mass production numbers and low production cost. The XM had active electronic management of the suspension and lacked the CX's fault of leaning into corners. The Citroen XM had part galvanized body shell to prevent rust (most surviving XMs have very little corrosion).

The 1994 Citroen XM provided like most models in the era, a soft "magic carpet" like ride and better control in curves when the sophisticated hydropneumatic self-leveling suspension was working, when it wasn't working the car was rough and bumpy, but no worse than any contemporary sports sedan. Some models of Citroen XM were not equipped with the high-tech sophisticated suspension, but had a conventional pneumatic suspension closer to that of the Citroen BX.

The Citroen XM offered an excellent ride and handling due to its sophisticated suspension. But the suspension was also one of the main faults of the XM, because it had a bad habit of malfunctioning. The 1994 facelift that the XM suffered brought to the model high-quality electrics. The best petrol engine is the 150 bhp 8 valve 2.0 litre turbo. The Citroen could be very economical and give quick journey times at 40 mpg. The 130 bhp 2.5 TD litre turbo engine gave more power and grunt to the car but it was less economical. The estate version was very spacious and elegant.