Unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in 1974, the Citroen CX is celebrating its fortieth anniversary this year. It is remembered fondly today as a bold, stylish vehicle with the ability to deliver creative responses to the issues of the time, making its mark with advances in technology, including the turbocharged diesel engine, GTi version, and hydropneumatic suspension for new standards in comfort.

Citroen unveiled the CX 2000 for the first time at the Paris Motor Show in 1974 quickly establishing a reputation for comfort, ergonomics and excelleny road holding, claiming the "Car of the Year" award, "Safety Prize" and "Award Auto Style" in its first year on the market.

• Read more Citroen fans off for l'aventure magnifique
• Read more Fashion guru a Citroen DS ambassador

Designed by Robert Opron, the CX was a two-box saloon, and 4.63m long. It was also the first saloon in Citroen's history with a diesel engine in the lineup, making the Marque was able to conquer the European tourer market with an alternative to petrol engines. One year after the 1973 oil crisis, Citroen was able to demonstrate its innovative capacity and, even then, to show its concern for running costs, with engines meeting high standards in both driving pleasure and fuel consumption. The aerodynamics of the CX played a key role in these efforts. The acronym CX in itself illustrated the vehicle's low drag, (Cx being French for the aerodynamic coefficient Cd).

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Over the next few years, Citroen continued to upgrade the CX with further technological improvements including an estate version in 1975, a 2400 GTi electronic injection sports version in 1977 which was considered as the fastest French tourer of its time, and a Prestige version, 28 cm longer, in 1978.

It is remembered today as a bold, stylish vehicle with the ability to deliver creative responses to the issues of the time. The CX made its mark with advances in technology, including the turbocharged diesel engine, GTi version, and hydropneumatic suspension for new standards in comfort.

Recognised for its style and bold technical choices, the CX was also a highly comfortable car. It inherited the constantheight hydropneumatic suspension of the legendary Citroen DS, achieving impeccable roadholding, as well as the power-operated self-centring steering system seen on the SM in 1970.

The same high standards of comfort were visible in the innovations provided for easy use. For example, the C-matic torque converter did away with the clutch pedal, freeing up space for greater passenger comfort. Also, the interior design placed particular emphasis on convenience, with a futuristic driving position, enabling the driver to access all the controls without releasing the steering wheel.

Further reflecting its innovative capacities, the Citroen CX was the first French car to be fitted with ABS brakes in 1985.

The CX was a huge market success, selling more than 1.2 million units in its 16 year production run up to 1991.

Today, the Citroen CX lives on through the events and meetings organised by the CX Club de France and l'Amicale de France. At the same, time, the enthusiasm inspired by the YoungTimers, sports cars of the 1980s that are now collectors' models, is giving a new lease of life to models such as the Citroen CX GTi Turbo.