Citroën CX

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Citroën
Citroën CX (1974–1985)
Citroën CX (1974–1985)
CX
Production period: 1974-1991
Class : upper middle class
Body versions : Limousine , station wagon
Engines: Otto engines :
2.0–2.5 liters
(75–124 kW)
Diesel engines :
2.2–2.5 liters
(49–88 kW)
Length: 4660-4920 mm
Width: 1760 mm
Height: 1360 mm
Wheelbase : 2845-3095 mm
Empty weight : 1385 kg
Previous model Citroën DS
successor Citroën XM

The Citroën CX is an upper middle class model from the French car manufacturer Citroën . The name comes from the French term for the c w value (drag coefficient) back.

1,170,645 Berline ( sedan ) and Break ( station wagon ) were produced between summer 1974 and spring 1991 .

Model history

development

In 1969, the management gave the starting signal for the development of a successor to the DS model series. The project was internally codenamed "L". A vehicle was to be designed that would build on the charm of the previous model , which had been in production since autumn 1955, but was much cheaper to manufacture.

In the design department headed by Robert Opron , the body design was transferred to Jean Giret. Giret had already shown his ability to create innovative vehicles when he was working on the design of the Citroën SM . Michel Harmand was responsible for the interior.

CX (Series I; 1974–1985)

On August 28, 1974, a few weeks before the Paris Motor Show , the CX was presented to journalists for the first time as a berline (limousine). The presentation took place in Lapland . The journalists then had the opportunity to drive the cars back to Paris . The CX was not presented to the public as the official successor to the DS. As vehicles with high fuel consumption had come under fire due to the oil crisis, Citroën stated that it only wanted to fill the gap between the top model and the smaller Citroën GS . The c w value of the CX was 0.39 and thus slightly higher than that of the DS.

The body design of the CX was based more on the smaller GS than on the predecessor model DS, only the rear axle, which is reduced in its track width, was stylistically cited.

The body of the CX was very unusual. Neither chassis nor drive components were attached to the completely self-supporting body. There was also a separate chassis made up of two side members in the shape of an inverted, wide and flat "U", which ran the entire length of the vehicle and were connected to the axle mounts with cross members. The rear axle, the front axle including the steering and the entire drive mechanism were attached to this chassis. The body was virtually slipped over this chassis and screwed with sixteen rubber-metal elements. The separate chassis was not rigid, but after dismantling the body and attaching a longitudinal stiffener available in the workshops between the upper front axle mount and the rear axle carrier, it could be moved completely assembled and rolling. In conjunction with the stiff body, the overall construction had very good torsional strength. This elaborate construction achieved on the one hand very precise guidance of the chassis components and on the other hand good insulation of the body from vibrations and noise from the chassis. The disadvantage were high production costs and more complex workshop work, because the drive unit could not be removed from the vehicle downwards due to the chassis supports, as was gradually the standard for other vehicles at that time.

The victim of the oil crisis was the plan to offer a rotary engine in the CX series for the purpose of smoother running . In fact, the development engineers tested double rotary piston engines with an output of around 170 to 180 hp in various pre-production models that allowed top speeds of 215 km / h.

Ultimately, Citroën then decided to further develop the engines of its predecessor (D series) and to name it M series. The CX 2000 got the M20 / 616 engine. With a displacement of 1985 cm³ and an output of 102 hp, this vehicle reached a top speed of 174 km / h. The CX 2200 had the M22 / 617 engine, which had been further developed by the DSuper5, with a displacement of 2175 cm³ and 112 hp. He was able to accelerate the vehicle to 179 km / h. This second model was developed relatively shortly before the public presentation and was therefore offered a little later.

The response from customers was positive. Although the sales prices were comparatively high at FF 25,785 and  FF 30,768, they also offered strong performance features. In addition to the contemporary styling and good clarity, the increased economy was also of interest to potential drivers. Compared to the previous model, the measured reduction in consumption was between two and three liters. In contemporary tests, both road holding and the braking system , which is not very sensitive to fading , were regularly mentioned as unique selling points . On the other hand, however, processing defects clouded the overall picture. Nevertheless, the CX was named Car of the Year 1975, relegating the VW Golf I to second place.

The production figures broke through the threshold of 100,000 units per year as early as 1975 - a figure that the DS was only able to achieve once, namely in 1967. This success was a good basis for the evolution of the model family that began that same year. Initially, the CX 2200 appeared in the luxuriously equipped “Pallas” variant. Shortly afterwards, the first diesel engine was available with the CX 2200 D. The engine had as the petrol version a displacement cc of 2175 and retained the already in the diesel version of the small truck in applied C35 concept. With 66 hp and a top speed of 146 km / h, the vehicle was above the average of the competition in its class.

In September 1975 the station wagon was added, traditionally referred to as the Break , which had a wheelbase that was 25 cm longer than the Berline. Thanks to the hydropneumatic suspension and the stably constructed chassis, the payload was more than 700 kg - a considerable figure for the time. The second new product, the Prestige, came on the market a few months later, using the same floor pan as the Break . The additional space gained was only used by the rear passengers. Its engine had a displacement of 2347 cm³ and made 115 hp, which resulted in a top speed of 181 km / h. In 1980 the engine was replaced by an equally large version with 120 hp.

  • Rear view

  • Citroën CX Break (1975–1985)

  • Citroën CX 2400 GTi (1978)

  • Citroën CX driving on three wheels

As a technical highlight, Citroën used hydraulic power steering from 1975. The so-called " DIRAVI " (DIrection a RAppel asserVI, a takeover from the Citroën SM) differs from conventional servo-assisted steering systems in a number of peculiarities, in particular the automatic reset, which aligns the wheels in a straight line even when the vehicle is stationary when you let go of the steering wheel . At higher speeds, the restoring force is greater, which means that more force is required when turning in, but less when turning in the direction of the central position. The steering is not hydraulically assisted, but completely hydraulic; Ultimately, the steering wheel only tells the hydraulics how the wheels should be. This enables very smooth and direct steering. This also means that it is insensitive to external influences, so a CX with Diravi is very directional even in crosswinds and potholes are not transferred to the steering wheel. A mechanical connection only comes into play in the emergency running program, i.e. when the hydraulic pressure is lost, then with large steering play and very high effort.

The Prestige was the first CX to come up with electronic manifold injection in 1977 , which led to an increase in output to 94 kW (128 hp) and a top speed of 190 km / h. The CX GTi 2400 was derived from this for the shorter wheelbase, taking into account the contemporary trend towards sporty offers.

GTi cockpit

While the operation of the car while driving was already unusual, the CX of the first series surprised the driver until July 1985 with a futuristic-looking cockpit consisting of a small elliptical cockpit with almost complete instrumentation. Round indicators for speed and engine speed were replaced by illuminated cylinders, the functions for lights, indicators, wipers, etc. were grouped ergonomically on so-called “satellites” near the single-spoke steering wheel. This idea arose from the requirement to provide the driver with all important functions immediately.

In February 1978 the CX was further developed both optically and mechanically. The diesel was now also available in the Pallas equipment variant, and after extensive conceptual work on the existing unit, the CX 2500 D with 75 hp was launched. This drive, which was only intended for sedans, meant that the CX could claim the title of fastest passenger car with a diesel engine at 156 km / h . This extensive model policy was honored by the buyers: 1978 was the most commercially successful year up to the end of production with over 150,000 units.

Well positioned at the moment, it was up to those responsible to develop a concept for the 1980s. The CX 2000 posed a problem whose drive, which originated from the DS 20, could no longer be considered contemporary. In the meantime, the new majority owner of Citroën, Peugeot , had developed an innovative 2.0-liter engine together with Renault , which had already been successfully used in the Renault 20 TS . This motor should now also be used in this model series. The 2000 therefore disappeared from the sales lists and was replaced by the Reflex and Athena models. With a displacement of 1995 cc, an output of 106 hp and a top speed of 176 km / h, both were identical in terms of their technical performance characteristics. However, they differed in their equipment. Shortly afterwards, another variant was presented to the public with the CX sedan. Equipped with the chassis of the Prestige / Break, a 2.5-liter diesel engine and the interior design of the Athena, this car was assigned to the highest French luxury class.

At the beginning of the 1980s, development work on the CX was cut back sharply. In 1978, Peugeot also took over Chrysler-Simca . The group therefore had to plan the use of its financial resources precisely. Since the CX continued to sell well, it wasn't a priority on this issue. This was also the reason why the tailgate, which was much in demand by customers, was never implemented instead of the small trunk lid used under the rear window. At least the rust protection has been improved. Since 1981, an anaphoresis method has replaced the previous method of priming the car body, followed five years later by the conversion to KTL priming.

In July 1982 numerous improvements were made. On the one hand, the model series was reorganized. From this point on it was divided into CX 20, 20 TRE and 25 D. On the other hand, there were cosmetic changes (new radiator grille, slightly larger bumpers, changed color of the speedometer). In addition, the DIRAVI and electric front window lifters were standard on all vehicles from this point on. Despite these measures, the decision-makers in the PSA Group recognized the need for extensive model updates.

At first, those responsible believed that editing the engine range could finally solve the problem. Therefore, in 1983 the machine with 2347 cm³ was replaced by a gasoline engine with 2500 cm³ and petrol injection, which made 138 hp and allowed a top speed of 202 km / h. In the same year, the 2500 cm³ diesel was given a turbocharger to increase performance. The 174 km / h now achieved at 95 hp resulted in a noticeable improvement in driving performance.

In the summer of 1984, the CX GTi Turbo came into the dealers' showrooms. With a 2.5-liter gasoline engine and turbocharging, it developed 168 hp. The factory specified maximum speed of 220 km / h. A disadvantage, however, was the high fuel consumption at higher speeds. The francophone trade magazine L'Auto-Journal was nevertheless impressed by the vehicle and called it a real powerhouse. From March 1985, the GTi Turbo was the first French vehicle that customers could order with ABS as additional equipment.

Technical specifications

Parameters 2000 2200 2400 2400i 2500i 2500i turbo 2200 diesel 2500 diesel 2500 diesel turbo 2000 Reflex / Athena
engine
design type Four-cylinder in-line engine, transversely installed, inclined 30 ° forwards, crankshaft supported by five bearings, cast iron crankcase, light metal cylinder head Inline four-cylinder engine, transversely installed, inclined 30 ° forward, made of light metal
Valve control OHV , camshaft driven by duplex chain, OHV, camshaft driven by gear cascade or toothed belt OHC
Working principle Otto diesel Otto
Mixture formation Carburetor Manifold injection Pre-chamber injection Carburetor
Bore × stroke,
displacement 		86 mm x 85.5 mm,
1985 cm 3 		90mm x 85.5mm,
2175cm 3 		93mm x 85.5mm,
2348cm 3 		93 mm × 92 mm,
2499 cm 3 		90mm x 85.5mm,
2175cm 3 		93 mm × 92 mm,
2499 cm 3 		88 mm × 82 mm,
1995 cm 3
Rated output
kW (DIN PS)
at 1 / min 		75 (102) at 6000 82 (112) at 5750 85/88 (115/120) at 5500 94 (128) at 4875 101 (138) at 5000 124 (168) at 5000 49 (66) at 4500 55 (75) at 4250 70 (95) at 3700 78 (106) at 5500
Maximum torque
N m
(kp m)
at 1 / min 		152 (15.5) at 3000 171 (17.4) at 3000 181 (18.5) at 3000 198 (20.2) at 3750 211 (21.5) at 4000 294 (30) at 3250 126 (12.8) at 2750 153 (15.6) at 2000 216 (22) at 2000 166 (16.9) at 3000
Chassis and power transmission
Clutch and transmission Single-disc dry clutch, four or five-speed gearbox, fully synchronized or
C-Matik semi-automatic transmission with torque converter or
fully automatic ZF three-speed transmission with torque converter
drive Via cardan shafts on the front wheels
Front suspension Double wishbones, stabilizers, suspension and damping hydropneumatic
Rear suspension Light alloy trailing arms, stabilizers, suspension and damping hydropneumatic
Braking system Hydraulic dual-circuit brake system, pressure supply from the suspension system of the chassis, disc brakes all around, internally ventilated at the front [and rear]
body All-steel body, load-bearing, supported by subframes
Others
Mass
kg 		1265 [1385] 1285 [1445] 1325 [1425] 1375 [1423] 1370 [1475] 1405 [1520] 1230 [1345]
V max
km / h 		178 [175] 182 [179] 186 [180] 189 [182] 201 220 146 [144] 156 [151] 175 [170] 176 [165]
Source
  • Values ​​in square brackets apply to the Break combination version .

CX (Series II; 1985–1991)

In July 1985, the CX came onto the market with a heavily optically revised look, as the Renault 25 had already been presented a year earlier, in the spring of 1984 . Intended as a direct competitor to the CX, the car had a contemporary, modern hatchback body with five doors and a favorable C w value of 0.28. The positive reception by the common courted customers forced PSA to react.

The changed bumpers , which from now on consisted of plastic and no longer of stainless steel, were particularly clear . In the interior, round instruments replaced the previous drum tachometers.

In addition, new model names have been introduced: CX 20 RE, 22 TRS, 25 RI, 25 TRI, 25 GTi Turbo 2, 25 Prestige, 25 Prestige Turbo, 25 RD, 25 RD Turbo, 25 TRD and 25 TRD Turbo. At the same time, a new engine was also available. The 22 TRS (2165 cm³) was derived from the 2.0-liter engine, developed 115 PS (85 kW) and reached 186 km / h. There was also a 168 hp (124 kW) gasoline engine with a turbocharger for the CX 25 Prestige. At the end of 1985, the turbo-equipped petrol engines were given a charge air cooler, which significantly reduced fuel consumption and increased performance slightly (on paper, however, it remained 168 hp or 156 with a catalytic converter). Even before production of the sedan was stopped, production of the GTi Turbo 2 ended in December 1988.

In March 1986 the turbodiesel engine was revised again. The CX 25 D Turbo now received charge air cooling and a modified turbocharger, which increased the output from 95 to 120 hp. As a result, a new top speed mark could also be exceeded. At 195 km / h, the CX once again claimed the title of the world's fastest diesel-powered car . In sum, all of these measures were able to keep sales figures at a consistently high level. On October 30, 1987, the millionth CX left the production facility in Aulnay .

Nevertheless, Citroën was thinking about a successor, which was finally presented on May 23, 1989 with the XM . Since this was initially only available as a sedan, the station wagon versions of the CX remained in the range until May 1991.

A total of 1,170,645 vehicles were manufactured in 16 years. The XM could not achieve this value either in absolute terms or in its annual production figures.

  • Citroën CX (1985-1989)

  • Interior of a CX 20 RE (1987)

  • Cockpit (now with round instruments)

  • Citroën CX Familiale (1985-1991)

  • Citroën CX 25 GTi Turbo 2 (1985–1988)

particularities

Götz George ( Horst Schimanski ) during the 2001 filming of Schimanski: Kinder der Hölle with Julian Weigend and CX

The CX was the first Citroën to have what are known as control satellites .

The Break was also available from Citroën - as with DS and Traction Avant  - as a Familiale: a station wagon, but with a third row of seats and space for seven, and later even eight people. In the 1980s, the Citroën CX and the Peugeot 505 Break were the only station wagon models on the European market that had a third row of seats facing the direction of travel. There was also a third row of seats for the T-model of the Mercedes-Benz W 124 (the later E-Class ), the Audi 100/200 Avant and the Volvo 240 Kombi, but the passengers sat there with their backs facing the direction of travel and it In contrast to the CX Break / Familiale, there was hardly any space left for luggage with these vehicles.

Another unique feature of the CX Break was that it was the only station wagon that could be used as an ambulance and hearse without any body modifications due to its length and space . In these versions, only a modified tailgate was normally installed (in addition to other reversible changes such as partition wall, loading rails, etc.).

Thanks to its hydropneumatic suspension, the CX was able to travel on three wheels and had a very high payload of over 700 kg for a car, which is why the Break is particularly popular as an express delivery vehicle (e.g. for newspapers or as an ambulance - here because of its particularly patient-friendly suspension comfort) has been. The Familiale was often used as an “express bus”, for example for travel events such as “Europe in five days”. One of these vehicles is said to have covered more than 1.5 million kilometers with the first engine.

The luxury version CX Prestige , offered from the beginning of 1976 to the end of 1988, was used by some heads of state as a company car. The fleet of the GDR State Council Chairman Erich Honecker included several copies of the CX Prestige , which were also extended so that they even offered space for a third row of seats. The seats were arranged opposite the rear seats and their seats could be folded up.

Externally, the Prestige models can often be recognized by the vinyl roof ; Most noticeable, however, are the rear doors that have been extended by 170 mm.

In July 1984, the most powerful type of the first CX series, the CX 25 GTi Turbo, came onto the market - shortly before the start of production of the second CX series (1985). The CX 25 GTi Turbo 1 and 2 were able to leave some sports cars behind with their gasoline turbo engines (power according to DIN 122 kW / 168 PS at 5,000 rpm, maximum torque according to DIN 290 Nm at 3,250 rpm). In March 1986, the CX TRD Turbo 2 (turbodiesel) came out, a very economical 120 hp engine that earned this model the title of the fastest diesel sedan in the world in March 1986. The CX TRD Turbo 2 was the first automobile that could cover more than 1000 km with a tank of 68 liters.

Turbo and Turbo 2 (both diesel and gasoline engines) differ essentially in that the 2-series models had an intercooler and a modified turbocharger.

The spare wheel is housed in the engine compartment and is therefore accessible regardless of whether the trunk is used.

Robert Opron , who was responsible for the Citroëns design department during the design of the first series, assessed the visual changes of the second series critically in an interview: “Subsequently, the development of the CX body was not successful. The second series was inflated by large bumpers. Despite the prevailing general use of plastic, on the contrary, better integration into the original design should have been favored. "

  • Citroën CX Prestige

  • inner space

  • The extended version

  • Vehicle from the fleet of the GDR government

  • Engine compartment with integrated spare wheel

Special body versions

Citroën CX Loadrunner from "Mike's Garage" (1990)
CX Loadrunner rear view

commercial vehicles

Citroën CX Orphée (1984)

There were coachwork companies that built three-axle delivery vans based on the CX , often with a payload of up to 2 t and a length of up to 6.55 m. One of the best known is Tissier from France , others are Pijpops from Belgium and Mikes Garage from Germany , whose products became known under the name Loadrunner .

At Tissier there were other special vehicles based on CX (and also based on DS , SM and XM ): tow trucks , car transporters, ambulances , refrigerated trucks and special vehicles for filming in road traffic.

Cabriolet

The Guy Deslandes bodywork factory produced a two-door convertible based on the first CX series called Orphée . The front doors remained unchanged, the rear doors were welded. At the rear, Deslandes used the taillights of the Citroën Visa II, which was revised in spring 1981 .

It is doubtful whether it would go into series production. Some sources speak of single-digit production.

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Entretien. In: Automobilia. Issue October / November 2006, Histoire & Collections, Paris, p. 51 f.
  2. ↑ The joy of extravagance. In: www.spiegel.de, December 6, 2001
  3. ↑ The Citroën CX page, body ( Memento of the original from January 15, 2010 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.citroencx.de
  4. ↑ Citroën CX: The joy of extravagance. Report by Spiegel Online from December 6, 2001.
  5. ↑ Dieter Korp: Protocol of an Invention - The Wankel Engine. Motorbuch Verlag, Stuttgart 1975, p. 189.
  6. ↑ Auto van het jaar - Citroën CX 1975. In: Onschatbare Klassieker. Issue 4 / April 2009, Haakman BV, Huizen, pp. 67-70.
  7. ↑ Realty Mikloweit: Citroën - Passenger Cars since 1919. 1. Aufl., Engine book publishing house, Stuttgart 2000, ISBN 3-613-02041-6 , p 199 f.
  8. ↑ Immo Mikloweit: Citroën - passenger cars since 1919. 1st edition, Motorbuch Verlag, Stuttgart 2000, ISBN 3-613-02041-6 , p. 140.
  9. ^ L'Auto-Journal: 50 ans d'histoire Automobile. Tome 2, 1977-2000, Éditions Michel Lafon, 1st ed., Paris 2003, p. 248.
  10. ↑ Realty Mikloweit: Citroën - Passenger Cars since 1919. 1st edition, engine book publishing house, Stuttgart 2000. ISBN 3-613-02041-6 , p.200.
  11. ^ L'Auto-Journal: 50 ans d'histoire Automobile. Tome 2, 1977–2000, Éditions Michel Lafon, 1st edition, Paris 2003, p. 297.
  12. ↑ Purchase advice Citroën CX ( Memento of the original from July 12, 2016 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.cx-basis.de
  13. ↑ Video on Youtube with the presentation of the said model.
  14. ↑ Entretien. In: Automobilia, October / November 2006, Histoire & Collections, Paris, p. 54.
  15. ↑ Three-axle vehicle: Flying low through the night. FAZ from June 2, 2014

literature

  • Dieter Korp: Now I'm helping myself . Double volume 94/95, Citroën CX, Motorbuch Verlag, Stuttgart, ISBN 3-87943-730-0 .
  • Ulrich Knaack: Citroën SM and CX. Schrader Motor Chronik series, Volume 119, Motorbuch Verlag, Stuttgart 2003, ISBN 3-613-87246-3 .
  • Hans-Christian Herrmann: State servant. The CX in the GDR. In: Knaack / Schrader (eds.): Citroën-Jahrbuch N ° 2 (2006). FGV-Verlag, Hannover 2006, ISBN 3-9810348-1-3 , pp. 81-85.

Web links

Commons : Citroën CX  - collection of images