Citroën CX 1974-1991

[smxi]

Citroen CX #1

[smxi]

Citroen (http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/forum/showthread.php?p=444015#) CX #2

[bum]

Very original car. In my town are one CX in ambulance version.

[Spastik_Roach]

My uncle has a Station Wagon version of this, with the ub3r comfortable hydraulic suspension...mmmmn

[Piacki_117]

some pics I took yesterday

[R5turbo]

Pictures taken last year:
Shame about the wheels, rest of the Car still looks fine

[smxi]

Pictures taken last year:
Shame about the wheels, rest of the Car still looks fine
pic two - very, very nice shot (ugly wheels, I agree, but nice pic)

[R5turbo]

Thanks smxi. Did you ever see one on the road? They're very beautyful cars.

[smxi]

Thanks smxi. Did you ever see one on the road? They're very beautyful cars.
I think I have, but long time ago... I'm in States now and we don't have them here...:(

[Vaigra]

Citroen CX #5

[Vaigra]

Citroen CX #6

[henk4]

some recent ones..and a Cabrio...

[Revo]

some recent ones..and a Cabrio...
About the CX cabrio. Do you know who built it? And when?

[henk4]

About the CX cabrio. Do you know who built it? And when?

of course:D
(Retromobile 2005)

[Revo]

of course:D
(Retromobile 2005)
Great!
My French is non-existant but I do recognize some numbers :D.

Thanks again.

[dracu777]

That Cabrio looks really, really nice. Do you have any other pix of it?

[henk4]

That Cabrio looks really, really nice. Do you have any other pix of it?

of course:D
but I should have taken a shot from behind:(

[Man of Steel]

Citroen CX #10

Citoen CX Rally

[Ferrer]

Citroen CX #10

Citoen CX Rally
Wow, that's really rare... :eek:

Any more info? Are they works cars? Specs?

[Waugh-terfall]

I remember, about the time we had our XM Estate between 1993 and 1995 a school friend's Mum drove a CX Estate that would constantly break down in the summer, usually with milky green fluid pouring out from the underside of the car. The town in France near to where my Grandparents live still have a few of these as ambulances.

[Man of Steel]

Sorry, don´t have any specs. Did not search on that yet either, it´s my lazy Sunday afternoon ;)

[Sauc3]

Wow, that's really rare... :eek:

Any more info? Are they works cars? Specs?
Quick google search:
http://www.citroen.mb.ca/cItROeNet/sport/cx-sport.html

[Revo]

I remember, about the time we had our XM Estate between 1993 and 1995 a school friend's Mum drove a CX Estate that would constantly break down in the summer, usually with milky green fluid pouring out from the underside of the car. The town in France near to where my Grandparents live still have a few of these as ambulances.
Really? :confused: Actually this is the first time I've heard of one's Citroen Estate breaking down.

[Coventrysucks]

Really? :confused: Actually this is the first time I've heard of one's Citroen Estate breaking down.

We had a BX estate that was fine for a long time, but suddenly began to suffer recurring problems with part of the hydraulic pipework. (Green fluid)

The offending component was replaced several times, and IIRC it sorted itself out eventually.

Its replacement, a ZX estate, is looking a bit tired but still surviving, and a Xsara estate was largely trouble free in its time.

From my window I've just seen a cat pissing on a Nissan.

[Ferrer]

Quick google search:
http://www.citroen.mb.ca/cItROeNet/sport/cx-sport.html
Thank you. :)

[Revo]

Really? :confused: Actually this is the first time I've heard of one's Citroen Estate breaking down.

We had a BX estate that was fine for a long time, but suddenly began to suffer recurring problems with part of the hydraulic pipework. (Green fluid)

The offending component was replaced several times, and IIRC it sorted itself out eventually.

Its replacement, a ZX estate, is looking a bit tired but still surviving, and a Xsara estate was largely trouble free in its time.

From my window I've just seen a cat pissing on a Nissan.
Well, thank you for your insight, Coventrysucks. I guess this time sarcasm didn’t show over the internet. ;):)

[Sauc3]

Thank you. :)
Searching a bit more extensively:
http://www.dakardantan.com/paris-dakar-1981/galerie-photo.html

[Ferrer]

Searching a bit more extensively:
http://www.dakardantan.com/paris-dakar-1981/galerie-photo.html
I really thought that the SM was the last works rally car to emerge from the Citroen team until the BX 4TC, but apparently as you showed the CX was also campaigned in some rallyes, although not many in the WRC without much success either.

[Ferrer]

Citroën Cx #11

[Ferrer]

The Citroën CX is an executive car 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.

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.

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

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. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 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. 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. 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).

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. On 12 July 2012, PSA announced that it is permanently closing the Aulnay-sous-Bois plant.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

The CX eventually acquired a reputation for high running costs, which over time cut sales. 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. The quality of construction improved too slowly to eliminate this perception.

Although the minor 1985 Series 2 changes did create initial interest from press and public alike, 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) 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.

[Ferrer]

Design variations

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.

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.

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

Notable uses

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, 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.

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.

Source: wikipedia.org

[Ferrer]

Citroën CX #3

[Ferrer]

Citroën CX #4

[Ferrer]

Citroën CX #5

[Ferrer]

Citroën CX #6

[Ferrer]

Citroën CX #7

[Ferrer]

Citroën CX #8

[Ferrer]

Citroën CX #9

[Ferrer]

Citroën CX #10

[Ferrer]

Citroën CX #11

[Ferrer]

Citroën CX #12

[Ferrer]

Citroën CX #13

[Ferrer]

Citroën CX #14

[Ferrer]

Citroën CX #15

[Ferrer]

Citroën CX #16

[Ferrer]

Citroën CX #17

[Ferrer]

Citroën CX #18

[Ferrer]

Citroën CX #19

[Ferrer]

Citroën CX #20

[Ferrer]

Citroën's competition department, led by Marléne Cotton, raced Group 1 CX 2400 in long distance African events mainly, which highlighted the CX's roadholding capabilities.

[henk4]

Citroën's competition department, led by Marléne Cotton, raced Group 1 CX 2400 in long distance African events mainly, which highlighted the CX's roadholding capabilities.

here is the number two finisher ( (Warmbold/Geistdorfer) of the 1977 Senegal Rallye, a sort of mini Dakar. 30 cars came to the start and 7 finished of which five were CXs.

In 1978 the same drivers won the race again in a CX.

[LaszloVeres]

Good day to everyone!
There is anybody, who can tell me, how can find my CX. first registration place?
Tnx, Laszlo

[henk4]

Good day to everyone!
There is anybody, who can tell me, how can find my CX. first registration place?
Tnx, Laszlo

Welcome, are you trying to find out where (your) imported Hungarian CX was originally registerd?