Citroen CX

History

The Citroen CX, of code name “Standard L” is a high-performance touring car Frenchwoman, carry-flag of the Citroen mark of 1974 to 1989. In the schedule of conditions of this vehicle, it was specified that the style was to break completely with that of the DS. Also, profiting from a successful style and technologies from famous but transitory the SM, it could widen its customers beyond her initial target (the faithful ones of DS), to become a real success: 1,2 million specimens manufactured (almost triple of its successor, the XM), and: 150000 specimens for the only record year of 1978. In spite of an increasingly keen competition as from the years 1980 (Peugeot 505, Renault 25, German cars), it was still produced good ten years, with some minor evolutions.

Robert Opron had drawn the aerodynamic lines of the CX from a prototype of the carriage-builder Pininfarina dating from the end of the Années 1960. It resulted from it a rare success, which was however not obvious: taking into account the automobile myth which it succeeded, the risk was great to make of CX clone of DS. But this pitfall was avoided. And it is with its original, fluid and homogeneous lines that the model had its name from “CX” (in reference to the mathematical coefficient).

Replacing DS, it “naturally” is equipped with the suspension Hydropneumatique. But its engine is placed transversely and its structure comprises a tallies of axle fixed at the case via elastic connections. Its most visible characteristics are the concave rear window and the Essuie-glace before single with only one enormous brush. It is equipped on the first versions with a Tachymètre and rotary drum rev counter as on GS and with bulked orders out of control units in an instrument panel called Lunule . Principal criticisms relate on its bâclée completion and a non-existent anti-corrosion protection until the improvements of 1981.

She was initially proposed in two models with gasoline (derivatives of those of the DS): the CX 2000 with an engine of 1985 Cm3, 11 CV, 102 ch, 174 km/h for: 25785 FF and the CX 2200,2175 Cm3, 12 CV, 112 ch, 179 km/h for: 30768 FF.

The competitors having succeeded in this segment of the market adopted a cycle of new design and substantial improvement every seven years. In spite of the success of design CX, there was no model new and improved of “large Citroen” at the horizon as from 1981. Sales CX started to slip and never began again.

The Citroen CX was very appreciated chairman and controlling for its comfort and its habitability (in particular its version Prestige lengthened). It was thus used like conveys official by the French governments, but also abroad: it was for example the company car of Erich Honecker, the former Head of State of GDR. Jacques Chirac had a model “Prestige” which he appreciated much: it is with this model that he traversed the streets of Paris the evening of his election to the presidency of the Republic, in 1995.

Under-motorization, Achilles' heel of the CX

The CX had been conceived to function with rotary engines, a technology which seemed very promising with the beginning of the year 1970. Unfortunately, with the wire of the developments, it appeared that the engine Wankel trirotor Comotor which was planned for the CX missed reliability, and especially was too greedy while carburizing; a crippling defect for a market which had just been struck of full whip by the oil crisis. This is why it was finally decided, at the last moment, to market the CX with the antiques engines of the DS, already insufficient for this one.

The under-motorization will remain thereafter a recurring problem for the CX.

Projects of recasting of the driving block before had certainly been studied since 1973-74 (thus, a prototype been driven by an engine V6 Maserati was it builds). But they fell through for two reasons:

on the one hand, the marketing of the CX coincided with a financial serious attack of Citroen, which filed for bankruptcy in 1974: the need for cleansing the accounts of the company resulted in giving up many development projects considered to be too expensive, of which projects of new engines for the CX.
in addition, and consequence of this bankruptcy, Citroen was repurchased by Peugeot and was integrated into group PSA. However, the CX were marketed at the time even or Peugeot developed its new strategy of high-end, with the simultaneous launching of the 604 and the Talbot Tagora: Peugeot, not very eager to see the CX scuttling these new models, did not do anything to encourage the development of this one.

That explains why, in spite of continuous improvements (the CX were equipped with 15 four different cylinders during its career), the CX will remain structurally under-motorized during its long career. It had to wait 10 years to have a turbo engine gasoline (168 CV) offering decent performances to him; but, contrary to its competitors (BMW series 5, Mercedes-Benz Classifies E, Renault 30, Renault 25, Peugeot 604, Peugeot 505), it was entitled never to V6.

Beyond that, the CX will only profit very slowly from evolutions: a decent anti-rust protection in 1981 only; a restylage appeared with the living room of 1986 is after more than 10 years of career. And the version Forage ladder, however claimed by many customers, as for it was never developed.

The American excursion

The CX were not intended for the sale in the USA: until 1981, the American law made impossible this marketing (the modifications would have been too heavy and too expensive). Then, the project of exports of the CX in the USA appeared too not very profitable. However, an enthusiastic handle the faithful ones and journalists succeeded in making come from the CX on the US market via small firms of import/export. That explains why approximately 600 models circulated in this country, easily recognizable to their headlights before rounds. Some are still visible today.

Posterity

Even disappeared from the Citroen catalog, in 1989 for the truck and 1991 for the station-wagon, the CX left many fans, nostalgic of his elegance, its comfort of limousine and its performances (in particular versions GTI Turbo and Prestige).

It is partly for that, after one decade 1990 missed (failure of the XM), Citroen presented in 1999 concept-because being inspired directly by its lines and paying homage to him: the C6 chalk-lining . This prototype met such a success near the public that Citroen, in full identity alarm clock, made finally the decision to market it. The very beautiful C6, marketed since 2005, can thus be regarded as worthy “the little girl” of the CX.

Engines

1974: The CX 2000, driving Citroen gasoline 1985cm3, 11 CV, 102 ch, 174 km/h

1974: CX 2200, driving Citroen gasoline 2175 Cm3, 12 CV, 112 ch, 179 km/h

1975: The CX 2200D, driving diesel Citroen 2175 Cm3, 66 ch, 9 CV, 146 km/h

1976: CX Prestige, driving Citroen gasoline 2347 Cm3, 115 ch, 13 CV, 181 km/h

1977: The CX GTI and CX Prestige, driving Citroen gasoline injection 2347 Cm3, 128 ch and 190 km/h

1978: The CX 2500D, driving diesel Citroen 2500 Cm3, 75 ch, the diesel truck fastest of the world (at the time) with 156 km/h

1979: The CX Reflex camera and Athéna, driving French of Mechanics (common to Renault 20 TS, 25 TS and GTS) gasoline 1995 Cm3, 106 ch, 10CV, 176 km/h

1983: CX 25 turbo Diesel, driving turbo diesel Citroen, 2500 Cm3, 95 ch, 7 CV, 174 km/h

1983: The CX GTI and CX Prestige, driving Citroen gasoline injection 2500 Cm3, 138 ch, 12CV, 202 km/h

1984: The CX turbo GTI, driving Citroen gasoline turbo injection 2500 Cm3, 168 ch, 14CV, 223 km/h

In Phase 2:

1985: The CX 22 TRS, driving French Mechanics (common with R20 TX) gasoline 2165 Cm3, 115 ch, 11CV, 186 km/h

1987: CX 25 D turbo 2, driving turbo diesel Citroen, 2500 Cm3, 120 ch, 7 CV, the turbo diesel truck fastest of the world (at the time) with 195 km/h

Great dates

1969: The Citroen research department starts to produce models and then prototypes of the car intended to replace the DS.

September 1st, 1974: The Citroen CX is finally revealed with the public, it was ready since 1972. 2 models are retained for launching: the CX 2000 for: 25785 FF and CX 2200 for: 30768 FF. But only the 2000 are marketed in an effective way, the 2200 will be it only as from January 1975.

1975: The CX allured and receive 3 prices: the title of European Car of the year, the price of safety and that of the Award style. In summer appear the Super completions and Pallas and Citroen in December market its first diesel private car, the CX 2200 D. Its engine is from the van C35.

1976: In January appears station-wagon CX, characterized by a footing lengthened of 25 cm compared to the truck and equipped with a great capacity of loading. It is on this long basis that is proposed in February CX Prestige. In the beginning, this model was designed to answer a request of the Elysium; indeed, the Head of the State of the time (VGE) which was large had evil to return in the vehicle. This car is characterized by equipment and particularly luxurious completion and a space for the legs of the passengers postpone quite simply gigantic. New options are proposed (C-matic converter, power-assisted steering with controlled recall (inherited the SM), air-conditioning, etc).

In May 1977 leaves the CX 2400 GTI provided with a box 5 speeds, of a leather interior let us fuck and alloy rims. In September Prestige receives the engine of the GTI and an elevated house.

1978: Appearance in February of CX 2500 D which succeeds the 2200 D. This version will be available in summer with the BV 5 and will be then the diesel truck fastest of the world with 156 km/h. Modification of the heating system on all the CX, which implies a new central console with at the top a curious ashtray swell or helmet of cosmonaut.

1979: In summer, appear the CX Reflex cameras and CX Athéna with engine 2L PRV (Peugeot-Renault-Volvo) to replace the CX 2000. At the same time the CX Limousine equipped with a case of Prestige is launched, of a diesel engine and a completion of CX Athéna.

1980: The GTI receives a becquet and new panels of black plastic custode chechmate for the year '81. Removal of the ashtray swell replaced by a drawer.

1981: For the change of year (AM 82), all the CX receive custodes out of black plastic chechmate and wings before widened to accommodate Pneu S Michelin TRX in millimetre-length dimensions which still accentuate the difference in width of way between before and the back. New monograms AR in relief.

1982: In July, new names (CX 20,20 TRE, 25 D), new mask AV with new fixings of optics, news calenders, sticks of bumpers AV widened, new dials of meters with writings oranges on black bottom. DIRAVI, panes AV electric and judgment centralized of series on all the CX.

1983: In April is born CX turbo diesel, 174 km/h and little time afterwards, a new engine gasoline of 2500cm3 for the GTI and Prestige.

1984: March: presentation of station-wagon CX Company to the welded doors AR and the special series Leader delivered into 2 let us tons of gray and seats out of Scottish fabric. Lastly, in October unloads démoniaque turbo GTI of 168 ch, 220 km/h!

1985: In March the turbo GTI is the first French car with being able to be equipped with braking ABS. In July appears CX Series 2 characterized by its shields plastic your case, a completion improved but always perfectible, a better anti-corrosion protection, aerodynamic rétros and a new instrument panel with table with round dials already seen on the GTI turbo series 1. Two innovations: the 22 TRS with an engine 2,2L derived from 2L PRV and the Prestige turbo which receives the 168 ch. engine

1986: Assembly of an air-to-air heat exchanger on the turbo GTI and Prestige turbo which become turbo 2 and which gain much in consumption.

1987: In March the turbo diesel also receive this exchanger which enables them to assert 120 ch and 195 km/h! Ever seen in diesel and as in 1978 the CX are the diesel truck fastest of the world. October 30th: the millionth CX tomb of the chains of Aulnay.

1988: Nothing in particular if it is not the CX Limousine which receives a completion similar to Prestige (upholstered seats, external rods, roof vinyl in option…) with the air-conditioning close which, it, remains in option.

1989: May 23rd the XM is launched and succeeds to him, initially in version Berline since 1989, then in version station-wagon in 1991. In approximately 16 years it occurred: : 1041560 CX trucks. For that it is necessary to add them: 128185 station-wagons built between 1976 and 1991.

External bonds

Generation CX
the CX with the Cinema
Friendly Citroen CX

Random links: