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Lunes, 30 de diciembre 2024, 09:30
The Citroën CX was a vehicle that stood out for both its exterior design and its innovative and futuristic interior. Introduced half a century ago at the Paris Motor Show, the Citroën CX embodied the best of the brand's innovation and unique design from the 1950s and 60s in a car that, like its predecessors, broke the mould and remains a significant presence in the Double Chevron's current lineup.
In the early 1970s, Citroën fully embraced aerodynamics for the large sedan intended to succeed the "Shark." In fact, the name Citroën CX derives from its aerodynamic coefficient of 0.35, a figure typical of sports cars. Inside, it boasted an innovative aesthetic.
At its launch, the Citroën CX was considered a bold and stylish car, capable of providing a creative response to the challenges of its time, such as the oil crisis. This innovative vision was recognised with the European Car of the Year award in 1975.
Citroën unveiled the CX 2000 at the 1974 Paris Motor Show. It quickly gained attention for its comfort, ergonomics, and road performance, earning it the titles of "European Car of the Year," the "Safety Award," and the "Auto Style Award" for its innovative, elegant, and dynamic style in its launch year.
Investments, new paint and assembly plants, and especially the success of manufacturing such an advanced car for its time with hydropneumatic suspension, like the Citroën GS, led Vigo to take on part of the production of this premium model between 1976 and 1980. During this period, 17,199 units rolled off the assembly lines of the Galician plant.
The Citroën CX was, above all, a product of its time. The 1973 oil crisis ended the era of cheap fuel in Europe, forcing manufacturers to consider fuel consumption as a crucial factor in vehicle development. The Double Chevron focused on incorporating efficient engines, with technologies like diesel, which offered lower consumption than gasoline engines while maintaining driving pleasure. In fact, it met the challenge of travelling from Paris to Nice (930 km) without refuelling. Aerodynamics played a key role in this strategy.
Recognised for its design by Robert Opron and its aerodynamics, the Citroën CX was also a revolutionary car in terms of comfort and ergonomics. Its hydropneumatic suspension allowed for automatic height correction and improved road handling. It replaced the traditional chassis with a platform and integrated bodywork, reducing vibrations and noise. In 1985, it became the first French car to feature ABS brakes. Its extraordinary level of comfort attracted a legion of loyal followers, including former French President Jacques Chirac, who chose it for his inauguration in 1995 over more modern alternatives.
Special mention goes to its innovative driving position, a precursor to the Citroën Advanced Comfort programme. Created by Michel Harmand, it combines practicality and aesthetics by placing all vehicle controls within the driver's reach. This way, the driver can easily access the necessary information while driving through a crescent-shaped instrument panel. This was the first step in a philosophy that remains very present in today's Citroën vehicles.
One of the most distinctive features of the Citroën CX was its dashboard, with a futuristic design and clear, legible instrumentation. The circular dials and chrome switches gave it an elegant and sophisticated appearance. The Citroën CX's steering wheel was simple and functional in design, with a generous diameter that made it easy to handle.
The seats of the Citroën CX were very comfortable and offered great lateral support. They were upholstered with high-quality materials and had multiple adjustments to suit each driver's needs. The rear bench of the Citroën CX was spacious and comfortable, providing ample space for passengers. In some versions, it could be folded down to increase cargo capacity.
The interior of the Citroën CX was filled with carefully crafted details, such as chrome door handles, wood panels, and fabric coverings.
Throughout its commercial life, Citroën expanded the CX range to meet diverse needs. With the introduction of a break version in 1975, a sporty 2400 GTi with electronic injection in 1977, and the Prestige series, 28 cm longer, in 1978.
This vehicle became a true commercial success, as more than 1.2 million units were sold until 1991. It was manufactured in France, Chile, and Spain. Thirty years after its commercial discontinuation, the enthusiasm inspired by Youngtimers, sporty cars from the 1980s that are now collector's items, is giving a new lease of life to models like the Citroën CX GTi Turbo. Its legacy is also very much alive in concept cars like the Citroën CXperience or its successor in the range, the Citroën C5 X.
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