Cards on the table first, I am a lifelong fan of big Citroens. Since I was a child I hankered after a 1950s DS, you know the big, black, sleek number that transported President De Gaulle around the screen as he was stalked by the coldly alluring Edward Fox in The Day of the Jackal.

Thirty years on, a friend bought an XM Estate, which proved the perfect long-distance tourer, swallowing a mass of luggage and fishing tackle as we covered tens of thousands of miles on salmon fishing trips to the Western Highlands.

Enter the 21st century and Citroen is back where it is most at ease, building large, luxurious and unashamedly quirky cars.

The long, nose-heavy, bonnet, extended front overhang, bulging sides, large cabin and short rear overhang of the C6 - a badge first used by Citroen in 1928 - are characteristic of classic executive Citroens from the past such as the timeless DS, SM and 1970s CX.

Sink into the gloriously comfortable leather seats and they set the tone for the ride - gas-sprung and majestic. The latest Hydractive suspension set-up reacts to both road and load, automatically switching from smooth to firm mode. If you still feel it is too soft, simply push the 'sport' button and the ride noticeably tightens.

Ride height will increase, too, over bumpy surfaces, and taking the C6 over the 60mph mark sees it settle down closer to the road - by 12mm - and held there with the aid of rear spoiler that pops up as speed rises. A word of warning here, hit 78mph and the spoiler apparently rises still further, giving any passing police officer visible evidence of your excess speed. The smooth delivery of the 2.7-litre, six-cylinder diesel engine perfectly matches the glide-like handling while still offering the twin benefits of excellent fuel consumption and power in reserve. A 3.0-litre petrol is available, but it is thirstier. And the price? It is hefty.

C6 prices start at £29,545, but the test model, the HDi Exclusive, heads the range at more than £37,000 bringing the latest technology, unbeatable safety, and equipment ranging from voice-operated satellite navigation to a heads-up display that projects a digital speed read-out and navigation arrows on to the windscreen in front of you.

Safety beats all-comers - the C6 is the first car to achieve maximum Euro NCAP ratings for both pedestrian safety and adult occupant protection - and it has no fewer than nine airbags. Add to that a pioneering pedestrian protector, the pop-up bonnet, a lane departure warning system, and anti-lock brakes, and the C6 is guaranteed safe. What is also guaranteed, as opposed to buying German, is that you will stand out from the crowd.

Auto facts Citroen C6 2.7 HDI V6 Exclusive

  • Price: £37,485
  • Insurance group: 18
  • Fuel consumption (Combined): 32.5mpg
  • Top speed: 143mph
  • Length: 490.8cm/193.2in
  • Width: 186cm/73.2in
  • Luggage capacity: 16.6 cu ft
  • Fuel tank capacity: 15.8 gallons/72 litres
  • CO2 emissions: 230g/km
  • Warranty: 3 years/60,000 miles