Citroën CX

Citroën CX
Overview
Manufacturer Citroën
Production 1974–1991
Assembly Aulnay-sous-Bois, France[1]
Arica, Chile
Vigo, Spain
Designer Robert Opron
Body and chassis
Class Mid-size luxury car / Executive car
Body style 4-door fastback
4-door fastback long wheelbase
4-door break (estate)
Layout FF layout
Powertrain
Engine 2.0L I4
2.2L I4
2.3L I4
2.4L I4
2.5L Diesel I4
Transmission 5-speed manual
4-speed manual
3-speed automatic
3-speed semi-automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase 2,845 mm (112.0 in)[2]
Length 4,666 mm (183.7 in)[2]
Width 1,730 mm (68 in)[2]
Height 1,360 mm (54 in)[2]
Curb weight 1,265–1,520 kg (2,789–3,351 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor Citroën DS
Successor Citroën XM

The Citroën CX is an automobile produced by the French automaker Citroën from 1974 to 1991. Citroën sold nearly 1.2 million CXs during its 16 years of production. The CX was voted European Car of the Year in 1975. The name CX is the French equivalent abbreviation of Cd for drag coefficient in English, drawing attention to the car's aerodynamic styling, which was uncommon in 1974.

It is considered by some enthusiasts as the last "real Citroën" before Peugeot took control of the company in 1976.[3][4]

Available models were a four-door fastback, a station wagon (break, or estate car), and a long-wheelbase model built on the break chassis. The CX employed Citroën's unique hydropneumatic self-leveling suspension system.

History

The CX was initially a huge success in Europe, more than 132,000 being produced in 1978. It found customers beyond the loyal Citroën DS customer base and brought the technology of the advanced, but somewhat impractical, Citroën SM to the masses. Unlike its principal competitors, the CX did not have worldwide distribution—the cost of development and improvements had to be met from a geographically small sales base.

Design

The CX's flowing lines and sharp Kamm tail were designed by auto stylist Robert Opron, drawing upon its precursor DS.

No stalks - control buttons reached by hands on steering wheel

Mechanically, the car was one of the most modern of its time, combining Citroën's unique hydro-pneumatic integral self-leveling suspension, speed-adjustable DIRAVI power steering (first introduced on the Citroën SM), and a uniquely effective interior design that did away with steering column stalks, allowing the driver to reach all controls while both hands remained on the steering wheel.

The CX suspension’s ability to soak up large undulations and yet damp out rough surfaces was extraordinary, with a consistent ride quality, empty, or fully laden.[5] The suspension was attached to sub frames that were fitted to the body through flexible mountings, to improve even more the ride quality and to reduce road noise. The British magazine Car described the sensation of driving a CX as hovering over road irregularities, much like a ship traversing above the ocean floor. This suspension was used under license by Rolls-Royce on the Silver Shadow. The Mercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.9 was not built under license, but copied the Hydropneumatic suspension principles after the less effective Mercedes-Benz 600 Air suspension installation.

The CX was a transverse engine design, in contrast to the longitudinal mid-engine layout of the Traction Avant and DS. This saved space; the CX was 8 in (20 cm) shorter than the DS.

Spacious rear seat of Prestige long wheelbase fastback

The CX fastback had insufficient rear legroom to function as a chauffeur driven limousine (a common use for the spacious DS model), so in 1976, Citroën introduced a 10 in (25 cm) longer version, the "Prestige" variant, which used the wheelbase of the longer Safari/Familiale estate. The Prestige offered more rear legroom than any other standard-sized sedan in the world. In 1977, it also gained a raised roofline to improve comfort further. Contemporary reviews of the Prestige were favourable. In 1976 the UK's Driver and Motorist praised its comfort and interior fitments.[6]

Launch

Citroën CX profile view

At launch in 1974, the CX was rushed to market, with some teething troubles. Some very early models did not have power steering and proved difficult to drive - the CX carries 70% of its weight over the front wheels.[7]

Originally, the CX was developed as a rotary-engined car—with several negative consequences. The CX engine bay is small because rotary engines are compact, but the Comotor three-rotor rotary engine was not economical and the entire rotary project was scrapped the year the CX was introduced. The firm went bankrupt in 1974, partly due a series of investments like Comotor that didn't result in profitable products. Production versions of the CX were always powered by a modest inline 4 cylinder engine - only the very rare 168 hp (125 kW) GTi Turbo (1985–89) ever had the engine power to match the capabilities of the chassis.[8]

At launch, the carburetor 102 hp (76 kW) CX was positioned below the 141 hp (105 kW) DS 23 Pallas Injection Electronique and the 180 hp (130 kW) SM Injection Electronique.

There was a choice between three differently powered versions.[9] The "Normale" CX car came with a 1985cc version of the four cylinder engine from the predecessor model with a claimed maximum output of 102 hp (76 kW), which was slightly more than had been available from the engine when fitted in the DS.[9] The "Economique" version of the car (reflecting the continuing impact of the 1973 oil price shock) came with the same engine as the "Normale", but the gear ratios were changed, along with the final drive ratio, giving rise to a 7 km/h (4 mph) reduction in top speed in return for usefully improved fuel economy.[9] More performance came from the "CX 2200", fitted with a 2175 cc version of the engine and a twin carburetor, resulting in a claimed maximum output of 112 hp (84 kW).[9]

Contemporary reports also indicated that the cost of setting up a new production facility for the CX, on the northern edge of Paris, at Aulnay-sous-Bois, also played a role in undermining the company's finances to the point where it was obliged to surrender its independence to the more financially cautious Peugeot company.[10] On 12 July 2012, PSA announced that it is permanently closing the Aulnay-sous-Bois plant.[11]

Slow development

The CX was very slowly developed and improved, the key elements it needed to compete successfully in its market segment taking many years to emerge.

The parent company, PSA Peugeot Citroën, was fielding three cars in the executive car segment, the slow selling Peugeot 604, the abortive Talbot Tagora and the CX, all competing for PSA's scarce financial resources. Developing and exploiting the CX design was not the top priority. The seeds of PSA's competitive retreat from this traditionally important segment were sown during this period of diffused efforts.[12]

In 1974, the DS featured a relatively powerful 141 hp (105 kW) fuel-injected 2.3-litre engine, while the 1974 CX 2000 generated a much less generous 102 hp (76 kW), giving it a sedate acceleration from 0-60 mph of 12 seconds.[7]

In 1977, the CX GTi received a modern Bosch L-Jetronic injection system, with 128 hp (95 kW).

In 1981, factory rustproofing and a fully automatic transmission were added.[13]

In 1984, turbo-powered 2.5 L diesel engine did make the CX Turbo-D 2.5 the fastest diesel sedan in the world,[14] able to reach speeds up to 195 km/h (121 mph). (Diesels account for more than half the market for executive cars in France.) [15]

In 1985, the GTi Turbo gasoline model, with a top speed of over 220 km/h (137 mph), gave the CX the powerful engine that finally used the full capabilities of the chassis.[14]

The CX eventually acquired a reputation for high running costs, which over time cut sales.[16] Ironically, it was the components standard to any automobile (steel, door hinges, starter motors, electrical connections, etc.) that proved troublesome in service, not the advanced components.[17] The quality of construction improved too slowly to eliminate this perception.[18]

Although the minor 1985 Series 2 changes did create initial interest from press and public alike,[19] they did little to revive sales, with 35,000 units being produced in 1986 and 1987.

While the revolutionary and timeless DS achieved its greatest sales success at age 15 (1970) [20] the CX design was subject to more intense competitive pressures, peaking at age 3 (1978). Other automakers succeeded in using the CX design as a template for improvement. In particular, the Audi 100 introduced an aerodynamically restyled variant in 1983.

Racing the CX

1977 CX GTi rally car from Citroën Conservatoire

Despite the challenging finances of Citroën at the time of launch, the CX was entered in numerous rally driving events, like Tour du Senegal and Paris-Dakar. One notable achievement was in the 17,500 mile [21] 1977 London–Sydney Marathon road race, driver Paddy Hopkirk, driving a CX 2400 sponsored by Citroën's Australian concessionaire, staged a come-from-behind sprint to obtain third place.[22]

Replacing the CX

Successful competitors in this market segment have adopted a cycle of redesign and substantial improvement every seven years. Despite the success of the CX design (and the company's unbroken legacy of dominance in this segment stretching back to 1934)[23] there was no new and improved "big Citroën" model on the horizon by 1981. CX sales began to slide and never recovered.

Citroën tried to operate independently and design a CX replacement that updated the flowing CX design (in 1980 and again in 1986). Each time, the parent company PSA Peugeot Citroën killed the project and fired the Citroën designers responsible.[24]

Citroën did incur the expense of designing an entirely new gasoline 4-cylinder engine in 1984 for the top-of-range cars—this allowed the CX to go slightly faster at the cost of slightly worse fuel economy. The market demanded either inline-six or V6 engines.[25]

The CX sedan was always a fastback sedan with a separate trunk, like the current Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class four-door coupe, but unlike almost every other 1970s fastback sedan. They had either a hatchback, like (less successful) contemporaries Rover SD1, Renault 20/30, or received an ungainly modified notchback roofline, like the Lancia Trevi. Citroën's own small GS and the Alfa Romeo Alfasud were also released as fastback sedans, but both received a hatchback in the late 1970s.

The CX saloon was finally replaced by the XM in May 1989. This vehicle was based on the same chassis as the Peugeot 605. It was styled in a distinctive, angular fashion, and fitted with self-levelling hydropneumatic suspension, and featured new electronic controls and branded Hydractive suspension. It also featured a hatchback and a conventional interior rather than the "spaceship" instrument panel of the CX. The XM was clearly related to the BX in layout and construction, but incorporated little design and technology from the CX. The estate remained in production until July 1991, when an estate version of the XM was finally launched.

The XM at first achieved annual sales similar to the modest totals of the CX in the last decade of its life, before a total collapse in demand set in during the mid 1990s. It was retired without an immediate replacement in 2000. Total sales were 333,000 units, less than a third of CX sales, but twice those of the earlier Peugeot 604.

The 2006 Citroën C6, first announced as the C6 Lignage concept car in 1999, appears to be the direct descendant of the CX. The design of the Citroën flagship is directly inspired by the personality of the CX. It remained in production until the end of 2012 but barely 20,000 examples were sold.

Design variations

"Spaceship" dashboard with rotating drum speedometer in Series 1 CX models (1974–85)

The Break estate ("Safari" in the United Kingdom), produced from 1975 until 1991 was joined by the seven-seat Familiale, both, with increased load capacity (baggage; equipment; passengers), taking full advantage of the CX's self-levelling suspension.

Both petrol and diesel-powered models were available in various engine sizes including turbocharged versions. The top-end sports model, alongside the CX Prestige luxury model, was the CX 25 GTi Turbo, launched in autumn 1984, rated at 168 hp (122 kW) and a top speed of 220 km/h (137 mph).

Manual, semi-automatic ("C-Matic") and, ultimately, fully automatic transmissions were fitted, the fully automatic ZF transmission replacing the C-Matic in 1980. Luxury trim-level models were badged as Pallas, and sports variants as GTi. The long-wheelbase models were badged as Prestige (petrol engine) or Limousine (diesel). The factory never produced the CX with both the powerful turbocharged petrol engine and automatic transmission in one car.

The Series 1 vehicles (1974–85) were characterised by stainless steel front and rear bumpers, hydropneumatic suspension as compliant and soft as the DS, a "spaceship" style dashboard featuring a revolving drum speedometer and similar tachometer, and a "stalk-free" layout where turn signals, wiper controls, horn and headlights could be operated by the driver's fingertips while his/her hands remained on the steering wheel. A similar version of the revolving drum speedometer was used earlier in the 1958 Edsel for only one year.

In July 1985, the styling was revised, resulting in a model known as the Series 2. The cars lost some of their earlier distinctiveness. The suspension became stiffer in most models. Plastic bumpers were the most notable exterior change, giving what some say is a more aggressive look, as opposed to the more elegant Series 1 design. Although the dashboard retained the "pod" housing for the instrumentation, it lost the revolving-drum instruments and received a sloping centre dash area, and the radio moved to a position sideways and between the front seats, with the height corrector and heating controls moving to the centre console.

A Citroën design principle was that turning signals should not cancel themselves – this should be a conscious decision of the driver. The CX perpetuated this feature, which is not shared by virtually any other contemporary automobile, limiting the CX's potential use as a rental car.

Six-wheeled Citroën CX S2 Loadrunner Bagagère

The CX was frequently used as an ambulance and camera car, applications where the cosseting suspension was especially valuable. A number of CX estates were elongated and retrofitted with a second rear axle, mostly used for high speed bulk transport such as carrying newspapers across Europe. They are known as the "loadrunner" variant. Most of them were prepared by the French company Tissier.

The last CX was the venerable Safari Estate, to this day one of the largest, and because of its suspension, most practical, family cars available in Europe. The Safari was very popular with speedway riders and other motorcycle racers, as the capacious design meant a bike could easily fit in the back.

The most collectible CX models are the very rare Series 1 GTi Turbo, and the Series 2 Prestige Turbo. [26]

1,170,645 CXs were sold from 1974 to 1991.

International sales and production

The CX was popular in most European nations, and also sold in some Asian and Latin American countries.

1983 Citroën CX 20 Pallas built in Chile

In 1984, Citroën sold 2,500 CXs to China and nearly succeeded in getting the "large car" contract that would have made the CX the most common vehicle in the People's Republic. [27] [28] The Chinese government decided to award this contract to Volkswagen, and instead gave Citroën the rights to the "compact car" segment, with what today is known as the Dongfeng Peugeot-Citroën Automobile factory, producing over 500,000 cars a year. Ironically, Dongfeng Motor rescued the ailing PSA Peugeot Citroën in 2014, with a cash injection in exchange for an interest in the control of PSA.[29]

The CX was assembled in South America from 1978–1984 starting with the CX 2000 Super in Citroën's facility of Arica, Chile. The car achieved good sales numbers despite being at the time one of the most complex cars built in the Americas.

In Greece, the only model imported was the 2.5 liter Prestige, which had a relatively large engine and was therefore taxed heavily.

In Australia and South Africa, the CX was imported, unlike the DS, which was assembled locally.

CX in North America

The CX was never sold in North American markets by PSA Peugeot Citroën, but Americans were still able to obtain the car by other means.

S1 Citroën CX in New York City, March 2012

In 1974, the final nail in the coffin of Citroën selling autos in North America was delivered—the decision by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to prohibit passenger vehicles with height-adjustable suspension. Citroën actually built 1974-model-year cars for the U.S., but was barred from selling them.[30] For many years, Citroën had been running into issues where U.S. design legislation fixed older technologies in place, and prohibited certain engineering innovations "not invented here", including items in many automobile designs today, like mineral oil brake fluid, aerodynamic headlights, and directional headlights. The wisdom of these regulations has since been reconsidered and most have been repealed in the light of developing technology.

Since the height-adjustable suspension was an integral feature of the CX design, there was no way to engineer around it. Even financially powerful Mercedes-Benz had to remove the height adjustment switch from its flagship 6.9 while retaining the hydropneumatic suspension in the U.S.

A few CXs came to North America under unclear circumstances (some related to diplomatic immunity) during the 1970s, but the situation was eased when U.S. Government repealed the ban on height-adjustable suspension in 1981. As with any other grey market car, the CX could be imported and brought into compliance with the unique design regulations applied by the U.S.

In addition to personal imports, several companies began converting and selling CXs to Americans. These were not "grey market" cars, but officially imported vehicles remanufactured and type approved for the U.S. The importing companies suffered legal harassment from PSA Peugeot Citroën, but despite this, and with no advertising and only a minimal service network, the powerful cult brand of Citroën still managed to sell about 1,000 cars at approximately double the price of the same vehicle imported conventionally.

Today the U.S. Government exempts cars older than 25 years from all design legislation, so most CXs can be freely imported. The Canadian government applies a similar rule after 15 years.

Notable uses

1984 stretched limousine originally used by East German head of state Erich Honecker

In addition to the numerous CX models owned by Erich Honecker, head of East Germany, many other officials found the car suitable as well.

In France, the CX Prestige model was used by the French government, including former president Jacques Chirac, who kept using the CX many years after it had left production.

Mário Soares the Prime Minister of Portugal used a CX, as did the Norwegian government in the 1980s

Harald V, King of Norway, had a CX in the 70s, as did Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega.

Henri, Grand Duke of Luxembourg, had a special Landaulet created by Henri Chapron for his 1981 wedding.

The singer Grace Jones sported a haircut shaped like a CX in a prominent series of controversial advertisements for the GTi Turbo in 1985,[31] and included the CX prominently in her 1985 music video "Slave to the Rhythm".

The CX appears in several films, like the early Mel Gibson film Tim from Australia, Private Benjamin, starring Goldie Hawn, and the 1980s ITV (UK) children's Sci Fi drama Chocky.

The character Jasper Palmer, played by Michael Caine in the movie Children of Men, drove a vehicle based on a CX Safari. This fitted in with the director's vision of vehicles being futuristic designs based on familiar cars but with an unfamiliar disguise. Similar avant garde vehicles such as the Fiat Multipla and Renault Avantime were also used.

During the Summer 2010 season, popular BBC motoring show Top Gear hosted a challenge to its presenters to build a caravan out of an ordinary vehicle, whereupon Jeremy Clarkson built a three-storey house out of a 1988 Citroën CX Break.[32]

Common parts from the CX were used in other more exclusive cars. For instance, the rear view mirrors of the "Series 2" CX were found on many – mostly British – sports cars, like the Lotus Esprit, the Jaguar XJ220, the TVR Chimera and the (French) MVS Venturi.[33]

Timeline

1975 CX 2200 - The oldest continuously registered CX in Britain
1987 CX GTi Turbo from South Africa with alloy wheels from Alfa Romeo, a common modification
1990 CX Familiale (7-seater Station wagon) from the Netherlands

Engine types

1985 CX in high suspension position - from USA
1988 CX with custom paint in low suspension position - from Poland

Legacy

Citroën CX values strongly reflect condition, as befits a high volume car with complex components. [34] Value was bolstered in 2015, when one of the Erich Honecker CX's, a 1984 CX 2500 Injection Prestige, was sold for EUR €95,360 (USD $108,621) at Artcurial.[35]

References

Notes

  1. Citroën GS: Citroen build with care (Anglophone brochure for UK market which also mentions new plant built for Citroen CX). Slough: Citroen Cars Ltd (UK). August 1976. .
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Fahrbericht: Citroen CX 2400 GTi". Auto, Motor und Sport. Heft 12 1977: Pages 82–89. 8 June 1977.
  3. "1988 Citroen CX 22 TRS". Just A Car Geek. 15 January 2010. Retrieved 14 January 2012.
  4. International integration, market structure, and prices Af Yves Bourdet, page 108
  5. http://www.citroenet.org.uk/miscellaneous/1978-cx-cmatic/autocar.html
  6. "1976 Citroen CX Prestige Review | CAR Magazine Online". Carmagazine.co.uk. Retrieved 2 May 2012.
  7. 7.0 7.1 http://www.citroenet.org.uk/miscellaneous/1975-cx-autocar/autocar.html
  8. http://www.thecitroencx25gti.com/resources/Super%20Saloons.pdf
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 "Dossier Complet de la Citroen CX". L'Auto-Journal: Le Salon de l'auto 1974. Numero Special: Pages 32–33. September 1974.
  10. "Citroën's CX factory: It may have been too great an investment for Citroën alone, but its importance for the French motor industry of the future could be tremendous, for a few decades.". Autocar. 144 (nbr 4146): pages 25–26 43. 24 April 1976.
  11. Wall Street Journal 13 July 2012
  12. Wall Street Journal "French Begin New Luxury Car Drive" Page B3, 2 October 2012
  13. Car Magazine March 1980
  14. 14.0 14.1 http://www.citroenet.org.uk/passenger-cars/psa/cx/cx-01.html
  15. https://www.dieselnet.com/news/2008/02acea.php
  16. http://vintagedriving.com/classic-cars/citroen/citroen-cx/
  17. Car Magazine Long Term Test CX Familiale, August 1978
  18. https://drive-my.com/en/retro-carss/item/1762-citroen-cx-buyers-guide.html
  19. http://www.rac.co.uk/buying-a-car/car-reviews/citroen/cx/207498
  20. "Original Citroen DS" by John Reynolds ISBN 978-0-7603-2901-6, page 135
  21. http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/news/vintage-speed/the-worlds-10-longest-auto-races-2#slide-2
  22. http://www.ewrc-results.com/final.php?e=15680
  23. Classic & Sports Car, July 2010 pp 144–151
  24. Julian Marsh (10 June 2000). "Citroën Projet E prototype". Citroenet.org.uk. Retrieved 11 October 2010.
  25. http://www.oocities.org/marcboncz/citroen/tests/autocar/cxturbo.html
  26. https://drive-my.com/en/retro-carss/item/1762-citroen-cx-buyers-guide.html
  27. http://www.imcdb.org/vehicle_229951-Citroen-CX-1984.html Clive James spots a CX in Shanghai
  28. http://karakullake.blogspot.com/2009/04/citroen-cx-taxi-cabs.html
  29. http://www.bbc.com/news/business-26243593
  30. Motor Trend, February 1974
  31. http://www.citroenet.org.uk/passenger-cars/psa/cx/cx-19.html
  32. "Embarrassing Couple Spots Top Gear Filming, Freak Out". Jalopnik.com. 11 May 2010. Retrieved 11 October 2010.
  33. Glen Waddington (15 March 2003). "The icon and the upstart". www.lotusespritworld.com. Retrieved 30 May 2013.
  34. http://www.rac.co.uk/buying-a-car/car-reviews/citroen/cx/207498
  35. http://www.artcurial.com/en/asp/fullcatalogue.asp?salelot=2651+++++190+&refno=10516976&image=3

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