How inherit a living legend? This question does not only arise in sports or music. Successors famous names they often have problems in the automotive sector as well. Before 50 years, on August 26, 1974, was first introduced Citroen CX. Such is the model of the upper middle class, the successor of the legendary Citroën DS, the synthesis of all Citroën's synthesis of all the technical achievements of the Citroën brand.
In 1969 has been given the green light to develop a successor to the series DS models. The goal was to create a vehicle that would enhance the charm previous model, which had been in production since 1955, but would have been significantly cheaper to produce. This was absolutely necessary also because it Citroën faced economic problems in the early 1970s. Later CX model became the last independent new development of the brand before takeover by Peugeot. Citroën CX is presented to the French president To Giscard d'Estaing right before the Paris Motor Show of the year 1974. After the international press presentation in Lapland, 25 journalists with Citroën CX attend "Raid Arctic", which runs from Galliväre near Kiruna to Paris and transports approx 3000 kilometers on a wide variety of roads and in various weather conditions.
Name Citroen CX derived from the French term for value Cw (drag coefficient). Cw value of the vehicle Citroen CX was 50 years ago 0,39 and was therefore at a very good level. CX it is a synthesis of all Citroën's technical achievements. So it has a transverse drive unit, hydropneumatic suspension with constant ground clearance, front and rear disc brakes and a dual-circuit servo brake system. It will come later"Run away” speed-dependent, self-adjusting power steering. Concave rear window – just like, for example, the later one Citroën C6 – allows the rain to drain down the middle and does not require a rear wiper. Model body Citroen CX, designed by the lead designer Robert Opron, bears little resemblance to its predecessor DS. Only the width of the wheelbase has been reduced. The rear axle and the hatchback have been redesigned. He was criticized small trunk lid instead of a large tailgate.
Tested motors
Two known engine versions are used for propulsion: Citroën CX 2000 took over the engine from the DS 20 model, with a displacement 1.985 cm3 and 102 HP (75 kW), the vehicle reaches maximum speed 174 km/h. Vehicle CX 2200 is equipped with an engine from the vehicle DSuper5 with volume 2.175 cm3 and 112 HP (82 kW), with which it can accelerate up to 179 km/h.
The car of 1975
In 1975 was Citroen CX declared to be "Car of the year". He also received awards "Prix de la Sécurité"In"Prix Style Award". In the same year, the CX 2200 appears in a luxuriously equipped version "Pallas". Soon after, he was in the model CX 2200 D the first diesel engine available, which has been used in models since 1973 Citroën C32 and C35.
A hatchback followed in September 1975 CX Break, which she had 25 cm longer wheelbase like a limousine. Break was also available as Business: hatchback with a third seat on the back bench and space for up to eight people. The second new model, introduced a few months later, was stylish CX Prestige. Since 1977, it could boast of electronic gasoline injection, which made it possible to increase the performance on 128 km (94 kW) and a maximum speed of 190 km/h.
The fastest car with a diesel engine
In 1978 he was Citroen CX visually and mechanically further developed. After extensive conceptual work on the existing engine, it came to market Citroen CX 2500 D s 75 km (55 kW). With this engine, the CX can boast the title of the fastest car with a diesel engine 156 km/h.
Major renovation in 1985
From July 1985 he was Citroen CX available with essential visual renovation, which featured plastic bumpers and round instruments instead of cylindrical speedometers inside. With the modified again turbo diesel engine and maximum speed 195 km/h the Citroën CX once again won the title of the fastest diesel vehicle in the world. He has been ever since Citroen CX also the first French vehicle to be equipped with ABS system. Because of its length and spaciousness, it is CX Break also served as the basis for special solutions - for example as an ambulance and a hearse. Tissier he turned it into a fast three-eighth van. It has hydropneumatic suspension Citroen CX for a passenger car, a very large load capacity exceeding 700 kg.
A luxurious version Citroen CX Prestige it is used as an official car by some heads of state. In the car fleet of the East German state leader Erich Honecker for example, there are several CX Prestige vehicles that are also extended and offer space for a third row of seats.
Since late summer 1974 to 1991 was produced 1.041.560 units series Sedan (limousine) and 128.185 units series Break (hatchback). XM comes to the market as its successor. (Of course not today's BMW...) It is in Germany Citroën sold total 111.049 units of the CX model. The Citroën CX became particularly famous in Germany in the 1980s as the official car of a TV inspector Horst Schimanski from Duisburg. Like his car, it has long since become iconic.
