Citroen is a safe bet

The C6 won acclaim by safety experts for not only high levels of safety for the occupants but providing the highest level of pedestrian safety.

"This is the first car in the world to have an active safety system specifically designed to protect pedestrians in the event of an accident," Citroen Australia general manager Miles Williams says. The C6's bonnet pops upwards in the event of a pedestrian accident to reduce the car's impact on people.

When the C6 detects an impact, two pyrotechnic bolts release the bonnet (mounted on impact-absorbing springs) to move upwards by 65mm in just 40 milliseconds.

The C6 has nine airbags, a head-up instrument display, active suspension, active headrests, a speed-sensitive rear wing, lane departure warning system, front and rear peripheral radar, low pressure diffusion ventilation and laminated side windows.

It comes in two engine types including a 2.7-litre V6 turbo diesel. Full details and pricing will be announced when it goes on sale in Australia in the middle of the year.

Joining it on show will be the new Citroen C4 turbo diesel which promises open-road fuel consumption as low as 4.7 litres per 100km and a range in excess of 1200km.

The new 1.6 HDi engine has maximum torque of 240Nm at 1750rpm which can be increased to 260Nm at 1750rpm with an overboost function.

The Citroen C4 HDi will be available in the five-door version of the C4.

Prices and specification will be announced when it goes on sale next month.