Performance Review: Citroen XM 3.0 V6 - [1989]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Citroen XM Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Citroen XM 3.0 V6 is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1989. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1989 Ferrari F40 LM Competizione 2.9 V8 Twin Turbo and the 1989 Dodge Viper 8.0L V10.This particular Citroen XM has a 2975cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V6's includes the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo

The XM shares its Petrol V6 engine configuration with the likes of the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo and the 2015 Radical RXC Turbo 500 3.5 V6. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the XM's Front Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1475 kgs (3251 lbs) this makes the Citroen XM 3.0 V6 in the same weight category as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Citroen XM shares the same bhp with the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp)

In terms of power the 2975cc 24V V6 engine produces 197 bhp (146 kW) @ 6000 rpm similar to the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (197 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V6 throws out 192 lb-ft (260.3 Nm) @ 3600 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (184 lb-ft) or the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (184 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Citroen XM you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2010 Volkswagen-VW Scirocco 2.0 TSI DSG (158.5 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Citroen XM.

The Citroen XM has a Power to weight ratio of 133.5 bhp per ton and 130.1 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1989 XM competing with the 2010 Volkswagen-VW Scirocco 2.0 TSI DSG (158.5 bhp per ton) or the 2010 Alfa-Romeo Brera JTS 3.2 V6 24v (158.5 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Citroen XM generating around 130.1 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2013 Porsche Panamera S E Hybrid 3.0 V6 (155.1 lb-ft per ton) or the 1979 Jeep CJ-5 Renegade 4.2L (155.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 8.40 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 8.7 secs, this made the Citroen XM 3.0 V6 as fast as the 2007 Seat Ibiza 1.8 20vt FR (8.40 secs) the 2006 Peugeot 207 CC GT (8.40 secs) the 2003 Vauxhall-Opel Astra 2.2 16V (8.40 secs) the or the 1996 Peugeot 106 16v GTi (8.40 secs). This Citroen XM 3.0 V6 is also faster than the 2012 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport 3.0 TDV6 (8.50 secs) the 2004 Land-Rover Discovery 3 4.4 V8 (8.50 secs) the 2000 Volkswagen-VW Golf GT TDi 150 (8.50 secs) the and the 1997 Peugeot 306 2.0 XSi (8.50 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the XM and the 2012 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Coupe

When talking about the performance of the Citroen XM on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.69 secs @ 87.2 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2012 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Coupe (15.62 secs), the 1975 Lotus Esprit S1 2.0 (15.62 secs), and the 1990 Toyota MR2 Mk2 Turbo Rev 1 (15.63 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1989 version of the Citroen XM 3.0 V6 has a maximum speed of 146mph.

Top Speed of the 1989 XM equals the 2016 Maserati Quattroporte 3.0 V6 Turbo Diesel (157 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1989 Citroen XM 3.0 V6 then how about the 2016 Maserati Quattroporte 3.0 V6 Turbo Diesel (157 mph), the 2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX FQ 360 (157 mph), or the 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX FQ 320 (157 mph).

Related Links:

1989 XM Rivals List.

A Brief History of Citroen

Car Comparison