Citroen XM V6 TURBO LIMOUSINE "PALACE"

XM V6 TURBO LIMOUSINE "PALACE" no reserve
Sport & GTs au Mans Classic
Year:
1992
Auction House:
Artcurial
Chassis number:
HZ1992-1
Date
July 07 2012
Engine number:
Unknown
Registration number:
Unknown
Body number:
Unknown
Sold for:
€ 14.296
1992 CITROEN XM V6 TURBO LIMOUSINE "PALACE" - no reserve Sans carte grise Chssis n HZ1992-1 - Sans
rserve - Prototype unique - Voiture prsidentielle - Voiture tournante - Voiture officielle de la visite du Prsident Chirac
en janvier 1996 Lorsque Citron prsente en 1989 le haut de gamme XM, pour remplacer la vieillissante CX, le break
n'est pas inscrit au catalogue. Il faut attendre 1991 pour le voir apparatre. Sa conception et sa ralisation ont t confies
intgralement Heuliez, qui assemblait dj les breaks CX et BX. De fait, le carrossier des Deux-Svres connat
parfaitement bien la plate-forme et dispose des outillages. Il lui est donc trs facile de proposer des variantes
susceptibles d'tre produites en petites sries. C'est le cas de cette premire proposition de limousine dnomme
"Palace", en rfrence aux versions Pallas des DS et CX de jadis. La voiture, ralise sur une base de berline, est
prsente officiellement au Salon de l'Automobile de Genve en mars 1992. L'empattement de la voiture a t allong de 13
cm par rapport celui de la berline, afin de librer de l'espace pour les occupants l'arrire. Elle dispose d'un coffre
classique, conservant les feux et la ligne de la berline, qui lui confre un profil plus quilibr que la XM de base, grce un
accroissement de 20cm du porte--faux arrire. La XM "Palace" tait suppose sduire l'Etat, travers les parcs
automobiles ministriels, mais galement les chefs d'entreprises et les administrations. Elle aurait ainsi succd fort
logiquement ses anctres Peugeot 604 limousine et Renault 25 limousine, fers de lance de la carrosserie Heuliez. Il
n'en fut rien et la XM "Palace" resta unique. Bnficiant l'origine d'une face avant spcifique, la XM Palace fut remise en
configuration phase 2 et repeinte en bleu mtallis fin 1995. La voiture servit de voiture officielle au Prsident de la
Rpublique Franaise Jacques Chirac, lors de sa visite officielle des usines Heuliez le 15 janvier 1996 pour dcouvrir la
seule chane de production de vhicules 100 % lectriques au monde. Le vhicule est en bon tat de conservation, le
circuit d'essence a t rvis et la voiture est roulante. Il bnficie de jantes en alliage d'aluminium, de porte-fanions sur les
ailes avant, d'un intrieur en cuir noir avec inserts en boiserie, d'un anti-dmarrage cod, d'un auto-radio code. Sous le
capot, on trouve un moteur V6 turbo injection associ une boite de vitesses cinq rapports. Doublement exclusive,
cette automobile cumule l'aura d'une automobile prsidentielle celui de prototype roulant. A ce double titre, elle ravira
les amateurs du chevron tout autant que les admirateurs des grands personnages de l'histoire politique franaise.
IMMATRICULATION DES PROTOTYPES HEULIEZ : Heuliez est un constructeur automobile. A ce titre, les
prototypes bnficient d'une plaque constructeur et d'un numro d'identification. Tous les vhicules de la Collection
Heuliez seront vendus avec une Attestation Constructeur. En vue d'immatriculer ces vhicules nous avons reu de la
FFVE les informations suivantes : - Pour les vhicules raliss il y a plus de trente ans, une attestation de la FFVE
pourra tre obtenue et ainsi, une fois le contrle technique pass, les vhicules pourront tre immatriculs avec une carte
grise de collection. - Pour les vhicules raliss il y a moins de 30 ans, une rception titre isol auprs de la DREAL sera
ncessaire ainsi qu'un contrle technique afin d'obtenir une carte grise normale. No title Chassis n HZ1992-1 - No
reserve - Unique prototype - Presidential car - Running condition - Official car for the official visite by Prsident Chirac
in January 1996 When Citron presented the top-of-the-range XM in 1989, to replace the ageing CX, there was no
estate car in the catalogue and it was 1991 before this version made its appearance. The task of designing and
building the car was given to Heuliez, who was already assembling estate versions of the CX and BX. In fact, the
coachbuilder from Deux-Svres was completely familiar with the platform and had all the necessary equipment. It was
therefore straightforward to produce variations that could be produced in small numbers. That was the case with this
first limousine project given the name "Palace", in reference to the former Pallas versions of the DS and CX. The car,
built on the base of a saloon, was presented officially at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1992. The wheelbase had
been extended by 13cm, to provide more room for passengers in the rear. It had the classic-shaped boot and rear
styling and lights of the saloon, and a more balanced profile than the standard XM, due to a 20cm overhang at the
rear. La XM "Palace" was intended to win over the government, and to infiltrate the ministerial fleet, as well as attract
business leaders. As such it would have been the logical successor to the Peugeot 604 limousine and the Renault 25
limousine, both flagship Heuliez models. It didn't happen and the XM " Palace " remained a one-off. Originally
benefitting from a specially styled front end, the XM Palace was reconfigured and repainted in metallic blue in 1995.
It served as the official car for the President of the French Republic, Jacques Chirac, when he visited the Heuliez
factory on 15 January 1996 to unveil the only production line producing 100% electric cars in the world. The vehicle
has been very well preserved and is in running condition. It sports aluminium-alloy wheels, flag posts on the front
wings, black leather interior with wooden trim, anti-theft device, and radio. Under the bonnet, there is a V6 turbo fuelinjection engine with five-speed gearbox. Exclusive on two counts, this car has the status of a presidential car
combined with that of a running prototype. As such it will attract fans of the 'double chevron' as well as admirers of
great figures in French political history. REGISTRATION OF HEULIEZ PROTOTYPES: Heuliez is a car
manufacturer. As such, the prototypes all have a manufacturer's plate and an identification number. All the vehicles
in the Heuliez Collection will be sold with a Manufacturer's Certificate. In order to register these vehicles, we have
received the following information from the FFVE (Fdration Franaise des Vhicules d'Epoque = French classic cars
association): - For vehicles that are more than thirty years old, an FFVE certificate can be obtained. Once an French
technical inspection has also been obtained, the vehicles are eligible for French collectors' registration - Vehicles less
than 30 years old will need to be individually approved by the French administration DREAL and have a current
technical inspection, in order to be registered in France Estimation 15 000 - 20 000 Sold for 14,296