The Cıtroën Cx Celebrates 50 Years Of Automotıve Excellence And Progress

The CX was officially launched on 26 August 1974, exactly two months after the announcement of the merger between Automobiles Citroën and Automobiles Peugeot. Presented to the press in Sweden the previous July, the twenty-two CX 2000s and CX 2200s used for testing made a remarkable return to Paris, to the Citroën shop on the Avenue des Champs-Elysées, as part of a 3,400-kilometre, six-day tour called the Raid Arctique 1974. At the wheel were twenty-two young people who had taken part in the Raid Afrique 1973 in a 2CV a year earlier.

 

Launched on 28 August 1974, the CX 2000 attracted a lot of attention at the Paris Motor Show the following October. The star of the Citroën stand, it was immediately recognised as an innovative car. From its predecessors, it took the front-wheel drive, hydropneumatic suspension and dual-circuit high-pressure power-assisted disc brakes now associated with Citroën’s image. But the newcomer also features a number of original innovations. The transverse four-cylinder engine is positioned in the front overhang and tilted forward to further optimise weight distribution and roadholding. For outstanding comfort, the monocoque body is connected to an axle frame by sixteen elastic links that filter out noise and vibration from the front and rear axles, as well as from the engine and gearbox.

Aesthetically, in addition to its particularly aerodynamic lines, as underlined by the name CX, the entire interior layout has been the subject of very detailed study. The most emblematic feature is undoubtedly the famous lunula-shaped instrument panel, which sits on the dashboard like a special vessel. Ergonomics and passive safety have not been forgotten. First of all, all the usual controls that are essential for driving, such as the headlights, indicators, windscreen wiper and horn, are accessible at the tip of your fingers, without your hands ever leaving the steering wheel. All the trim and interior components have no aggressive protrusions, and their materials are designed to be as hard-wearing as the human body’s organs. Another innovation in 1974 was the retractable front seat belts.

Its many qualities obviously did not go unnoticed and, on 29 January 1975, it was awarded the 1975 Car of the Year Trophy by the European motoring press, well ahead of the Volkswagen Golf, Audi 50, Fiat 131 and Volvo 200. From July 1975, the CX also received the famous Diravi servo-assisted steering system from the SM. This new type of power steering, with its speed-dependent hardness, ensured exceptional steering in all conditions, whether dry, wet or snowy, and at all speeds. Initially available as an option, it will later be fitted as standard across the range.

 

Constant innovation

Over the years, the CX has also continued to evolve, receiving innovations and technical solutions that, for the most part, have become the norm half a century later. These include, for example:

– In 1975: air conditioning, electric windows on all four doors, two internally controlled exterior mirrors, rear fog lights;

– In 1976: a semi-automatic gearbox;

– In 1977: a petrol injection engine, five-speed gearbox, electric sunroof, foglights, transistorised electronic ignition and light alloy wheels;

– 1978: safety belts in the rear seats and automatic electro-magnetic door locks;

– In 1979: an electric oil dipstick on the dashboard;

– In 1980: a windscreen watering system integrated into the windscreen wiper, a fuel consumption economizer and an automatic gearbox;

– 1981: low-profile tyres and cruise control;

– In 1982: a central locking system with boot door and fuel filler flap;

– 1983: a turbocharged diesel engine and automatic cabin temperature control;

– 1984: a turbocharged petrol injection engine;

– In 1985: braking with anti-lock braking system (ABS), an ice detector, a faulty bulb indicator, a door-open signal, electrically-controlled heated door mirrors with tinted glass, an audible warning when the lights are on and central locking by infra-red remote control with synchronised activation of the interior ignition;

– In 1986: an automatic rear window defroster;

– In 1987: a turbocharged diesel engine with air-to-air heat exchanger, and a coded immobiliser;

 

Essential models

Throughout its career, the CX has been the subject of a particularly wide and rich range, with a wide range of engines. Some of these models have made a particularly strong impression, as much for their personality as for their exclusivity and excellence.

CX 2000

It was the first of all the CX models. It created quite a stir on the Citroën stand at the Paris Motor Show at the Porte de Versailles in October 1974. It was powered by a four-cylinder, 1,985 cm3, 11 bhp engine delivering 102 din hp. Backed up by the CX 2200 from January 1975 and the CX 2400 from July 1976, it disappeared in July 1979 with the launch of the CX Reflex and CX Athena equipped with a new 2-litre light alloy engine with overhead camshaft.

CX Prestige

Like the Traction and DS before it, the CX quickly established itself as the car for political figures. Mayors of major cities, prefects, senators, MPs, ministers and political figures all appreciated its elegance, comfort and safety. Of course, the Prime Minister and the President of the Republic were not to be outdone. Citroën soon decided to pay particular attention to this important clientele, and in February 1976 introduced the CX Prestige. In addition to a particularly elegant top-of-the-range finish with a vinyl roof and stainless steel trim, the CX Prestige also boasted increased rear-seat space, which was made possible by a body 25 cm longer on the wheelbase. In September 1978, its interior space was further enhanced by the adoption of a roof raised by four centimetres. Although it was fitted with the most powerful petrol engines, in November 1979 it gave birth to a diesel-engined version, the CX Limousine, with an improved CX Super finish.

CX Diesel and CX Turbo Diesel

In December 1975, Citroën confirmed its intention to develop a genuine range based on the CX and launched a diesel version of the CX 2200. From then on, the CX, in both saloon and estate versions, was the French car par excellence that would give the diesel engine its letters of nobility. Equipped with a turbocharger in April 1983, the apotheosis was reached in March 1987 with the CX 25 TRD Turbo 2, which received a new 2,500 cm3 engine with 120 bhp instead of 95, and a top speed of some 195 km/h!

CX Break, Family and Business

The flagship model of the CX range, the estate was launched in January 1976. With an interior volume of 2.03 m3 when the rear seats were folded down, it offered all the comfort, roadholding and braking qualities of the saloon. From October 1976, a family version with two rear seats was offered, providing no fewer than eight seats. Finally, the CX Enterprise appeared in spring 1984, the last and only commercial version of the CX Estate. Although it only had two front seats and its rear doors were closed, it offered a record length and usable volume of 2.03 m and 2,172 dm3 respectively. Available with petrol or diesel engines, the CX Estate very quickly became the benchmark, and ambulance drivers made no mistake, remaining loyal to it until the end of its career in the summer of 1991.

CX GTI, CX GTI Turbo and CX GTI Turbo 2

It was obvious that the CX would provide a worthy successor to the DS 23 IE and its electronic injection engine. This was achieved in May 1977 with the launch of the CX GTI equipped with a 2,347 cm3 L-Type Jetronic petrol injection engine. Developing 128 bhp and mated to a five-speed gearbox, it delivered a top speed of 189 km/h. On the outside, the CX GTI was distinguished not only by its special badging but also by matt black window frames, light alloy wheels (initially available as an option), two fog lamps and a front air deflector. In October 1984, a 2,500 cm3 turbocharged engine delivering 168 bhp was added to the range, transforming it into a CX GTI Turbo and enabling it to claim a top speed of 220 km/h! Finally, in July 1986, the car was renamed the CX GTI Turbo 2 with the addition of an air-air intake exchanger, which not only increased its top speed to 223 km/h, but also significantly reduced fuel consumption.