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Citroën CX: The Goddess Swept by the Wind - Part 2

A week ago we gave a brief review at the launch of this avant-garde saloon, in which we highlighted its levels of safety, comfort, aerodynamics and consumption, in addition to its high technological individuality. We are now going to focus on his commercial life, which spans no more and no less than 15 years.

And is that until the arrival of the 1990s, this was something inherent to Citroën. Given their often cutting-edge character, their models were marketed for decades; Good proof of this are the Traction Avant (1934-1953), the DS (1955-1975), the GS (1970-1986) or, above all, the immortal 2CV, manufactured between 1948 and 1990.

It has been said that the Citroën CX was and is less charismatic than its predecessor, the DS. Before further, let me not think the same way: It is true that it is not a milestone in the history of the French brand - that place is occupied by the compact GS, which preludes the third generation of models-, but it is also true that it possesses all the qualities of a car resulting from the legacy of André Lefebvre, André Citroën and Gabriel Voisin.

Citroen cx
Less innovative than the DS, the CX was a worthy successor (By Jaime Sáinz de la Maza)

It is aesthetically different, inside and out, in this sense ahead of its time. On the other hand, the hydraulic system that regulates the suspension, brakes and steering is a marvel of technological creativity, a declaration of love for engineering. The same could be said of its front-wheel drive which, in favor of the car's habitability, cost its benefactor his life. Its application of greater aerodynamics in favor of lower power and consumption of the engines is also tremendously innovative ...

Win the battle

Where had we stayed in the first part? Ah yes ... in the Prestige, the flagship of the model. With a 25 cm longer wheelbase, It was the first variant to mount the 2.400cc engine, coming from the DS23. This gave 115 CV - yes, they have read that correctly -, which was compensated by the values ​​of the aerodynamic coefficient and the consumption. Let us remember that those were the years of the Oil Crisis and that both the governments and the citizens of the developed countries were like crazy to reduce their energy bill.

The first Prestige series mount an elegant vinyl roof, with the aim of hiding the welds of an elongated roof with more than one piece. The line of fastback It was and is very harmonious, although some influential figures of the time complained about the low height of the rear seats. In 1977 the problem would be solved and, in addition, the vinyl would become optional.

In our meeting with the partners of the CX Club of Spain We had the opportunity to see various Prestige. This variant gives the model the presence that some say it lacks, and for me it is simply majestic. On the outside it gives the impression that one could cross a continental highway "on the fly," and on the inside this feeling is borne out by sumptuous interiors.

Soon, in September 1975, there was the presentation of the Break version, later expanded to eight seats in its Family variant. If the CX Prestige - from which it takes the extended battle - already gave the aesthetic feeling of being a rocket, the CX Break is a kind of infernal station wagon that stabs the wind mercilessly. Fundamentally, it differs from its Familiar sister by a good-natured rear seat, free from the commitment of carrying three extra occupants.

Citroen CX
CX 25 Familiar, followed by GTi Turbo, splitting the wind (By Jaime Sáinz de la Maza)

Towards the Turbo

The power of the 2.000 and 2.200 four-cylinder engines - with just 102 and 110 hp - was low, and the specialized press of the time made this known to Citroën. In addition, the four-speed gearbox -or the C-Matic three-speed semiautomatic- did not help them to circulate freely on the highway, so it soon became necessary -at least- the introduction of a larger engine and a fifth gear .

The 2.200cc powerhouse was discontinued in 1976 in favor of its 2.400cc superior. The small two-liter lasted until 1979, when a new version manufactured by Français de Mecanique was presented and, therefore, independent of the previous DS. It was still too small for the CX - it was mounted by lower category sedans such as the Renault 20 - although it allowed the French brand to offer a version of access to its new flying carpet.

The answer to the demand for power came in 1977 hand in hand with the launch of the CX GTi, with a 2.400 engine powered by electronic injection and equipped with the new five-speed transmission. The magical letters GTI, which at that time began to be all the rage, brought greater cavalry (128 CV) and a more exclusive, more sporty equipment, with among other things two-tone upholstery and alloy wheels.

The race for speed continued to rise in subsequent years, with the introduction in 1983 of the new 2.500 gasoline engine. And so, the following year came what is perhaps the most desired version of our protagonist, the 25 GTi Turbo, which thanks to the application of turbine supercharging manages to disband 168 horses. The CX was not a light car, but thanks to the aerodynamics its road skills improved considerably.

Finally, the top of the food chain appeared in 1986: The 25 GTi Turbo II was fitted with an intercooler that helped improve the turbocharger's performance, although it did not allow for an extra increase in power. The maximum speed was at a stupendous 220 km / h, so from then on to plow through the continental highways at a good pace was not a problem.

Diesel engines

Interestingly, in the mid-eighties the 2.200cc engine re-emerged. Regarding diesel mechanics, they made their debut at the end of 1975 with a 2.2-liter already tested in the C32 and C35 vans since the beginning of the decade. More important would be the arrival in February 1978 of the 2.5, an engine that will end up animating more than half of the total production of the model. The icing on the cake was put in April 1983 by the turbodiesel version, which from 1987 began to mount an intercooler and produce a respectable 120 hp.

A rally car?

Conceptually -since it is a large saloon or representation car-, we should not look to the CX for a sporting vocation, not even in its GTi Turbo variants. At most, it can be used in long-distance raids in which its effective suspension works miraculously in order to keep us glued to the ground. They are robust and effective in this sense, as well as comfortable; being aware of this, Citroën decided to run the 1983 Paris-Dakar Rally with all-wheel drive units boosted up to 190 hp.

Years later some of the adventurers from the CX Club of Spain set out to explore Morocco with practically standard machines but decorated in the most apparent way. The story is well known after its publication in Classic Engine, and we will only provide a flirty video that attests to the extreme softness of the suspensions and what happens when the cameras appear. It was a pleasure watching them fly.

[su_youtube_advanced https = »yes» url = »https://youtu.be/FGMBYfTJ-Ig» width = »700 ″ rel =» no »]

As we have already said before, one of the strong points of the Citroën CX is its hydraulic suspension which, as in other models of the brand, is adjustable in height according to the load and according to the driver's wishes, by means of a suitably placed lever. at your reach. Its qualities even allow a wheel to burst without major problems, but also that passengers can become dizzy.

Another key point is the DIRAVI progressive power steering, which seems to have a life of its own: if we turn the steering wheel while standing still, it will straighten the wheels by itself, at the behest of the familiar hydraulic system. From what I have read, it is also necessary to get used to how it works ...

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Written by javier romagosa

My name is Javier Romagosa. My father has always been passionate about historic vehicles and I have inherited his hobby, while growing up among classic cars and motorcycles. I have studied journalism and continue to do so as I want to become a university professor and change the world ... Read more

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