Or should that be “Move Things In Fast Breaks?” This XM is the ultimate big hydro Citroën one-two punch, coupling serious highway cruising ability and impressive cargo capacity. It comes with a V6 and several cherries on top: it’s not grey, it’s a manual, it’s in perfect nick and it’s really rare.
We’ve had a pretty thorough look at the XM already, but only in saloon form. That’s because the wagon, which joined the range for MY 1992, is a lot harder to come by: less than 10% of the 330k XMs made between 1989 and 2000 were of the Break (French for “wagon”) persuasion.
What is even harder to come by is a PRV-powered wagon, given that only 50,000 XMs, saloons and wagons combined, were ordered in 6-cyl. form. Citroën did not offer every single engine that the saloon had on the long-roof, but they always kept a high-trim 3-litre V6 option in there, including the PRV in 12-valve and 203hp 24-valve form; the completely new ESL V6 took over from 1997 onwards.
One can wonder why Citroën bothered with the V6 wagon, as most XM Breaks were destined to be Diesel-powered haulers, not first-class estates. Only 3077 wagons got a V6 – most (about 2100) received the 170hp 12-valve PRV. Citroën knew from the jump that the XM wagon would be a rather niche player, so they outsourced production to coachbuilder Heuliez, who had been manufacturing some CX specials, as well as the BX wagons and other low-volume Citroëns, for a couple of decades.
This is a series II car with the completely restyled interior. The dash looked less Citroën, i.e. less weird/unique/interesting, but also better put-together than the first series cars. Part of the de-Citroënisation process was the loss of the one-spoke steering wheel, caused by the adoption of a driver’s airbag. This car doesn’t have a passenger-side airbag, as those were only installed from late 1996 onward.
This is not a full-spec car, as the blanking plugs under the ashtray and the keep-fit windows attest. You could also get leather in these – I must be getting influenced by where I’ve been living though, as this velour upholstery looks far more inviting to me.
I’ve had some seat time in XMs – only the 4-cyl. kind, though – and they are very comfortable, but not exactly fast. According to several Citroënistes I have talked to, the V6 transforms this car into a roadgoing version of the TGV high-speed train. Some have even stated that the 4-speed auto is the best transmission to match the unctuous V6, fuel economy be damned.
But realistically, just finding one of those fast-moving Break things was an achievement in itself. This one did not just fall from the sky, though: it was part of an extremely impressive private collection of Citroëns I saw last summer. More to follow from this treasure trove on CC soon…
Related posts:
Curbside Classic: 1997 Citroën XM – The Spaghetti Incident, by T87
Cohort Classic: Citroën XM – Its Three Predecessors were Hard Acts to Follow, by PN
CC Capsule: 199X Citroën XM – Something Old, Something New, by T87
Cool break, great writeup. They say the PRV was a good motor if the oil was kept clean. Not a great mill in volvos as people did not maintain them… Love tourings /breaks/wagons in general.. Would definitely rock this one
The first PRV engines installed in Volvos, which Volvo called the B27, were built with improperly hardened camshafts. The lobes wore down within 20,000 miles. Virtually every single camshaft was replaced under warranty. This had nothing to do with improper maintenance, but it had a lot to do with sullying the engines’ reputation.
The XM was the last Citroen seen in the US.
In my opinion, it’s very Peugeot and not much Citroen (like the SM and CX). But it’s a good, spacious car.
Always remember this car from Ronin. Well the sedan version. The bald guy baddie riding in the back with the briefcase(actually a case for ice skates) handcuffed to his wrist.
Also was the PRV V6 any better in the 90s?? The Volvo guys don’t like it, it’s not that much more hp than the 4 cylinder, less than the turbo cars, kinda finicky. And it made the DeLorean a total slug as well.
Word of the day: de-Citroënisation. (boo, hiss!)
I had no idea these even came as a wagon. With such low production, that’s not surprising. That rear seat looks especially welcoming.