Citroen XM Forum

http://www.roversd1.nl/roverarchives/up021105.html

I had no idea this existed! Clearly owes a great deal to Citroen, and I would be interested to compare how similar the Rover effort was to the '60s DS prototype with active suspension.

How incredibly interesting

Especially to me as a long-time Activa driver...

I believe that's the same principle as used on the experimental DS but a bit different to the Xantia Activa which effectively replaced two drop links, one at the front and one diagonally opposite at the rear, with hydraulic rams to get a similar result.

Had no idea this had ever been worked on. Not mentioned in any book on Rover I've ever seen, nor mentioned by any of the Rover factory and design folk we knew. Extraordinary. Will look into further.

P6 design and styling certainly owed a good deal to the DS (just look at the roof line, the A-post tops . . . not to mention the base unit with its simple bolt-on panels), and I believe Solihull had more than one on site for study.

I know, I was absolutely astounded! I did know that the P8 was planned to have a central hydraulic system, so I suppose that they had a go at active compensating suspension perhaps isn't so surprising. I'd love a P6...