Citroën CX is the successor to legends such as Traction Avant and DS. But did it really become a legend on par with its predecessors?
In the 70s, Citroën chose to link the design strictly to recognized aerodynamic principles outlined by the car designer Wunibald Kamm. The special thing about the Kamm shape is the end of the hedge. A gently sloping roof line interrupted by a completely vertical line. This design principle was introduced in the GS and GSA, and later, among other things, in the Toyota Prius and more. The comb shape allowed few design liberties. Nevertheless, the CX did not get any startlingly good CW values. After the facelift, it was 0,36. It's the same as the Volvo XC90 had back then the was launched. By comparison, the Audi 100/A6 (C4) launched in 1991 had a CW of 0,30 – nothing like Kamm's study cars.
The biggest objections to the CX concerned the production quality. The model was designed by Citroën before the company was acquired by PSA, but went into production immediately by the acquisition was a fact (1974). It's not good to say. Perhaps the production plant and the follow-up were not completely finished? It is unfortunately a well-known fact that especially the first cars had many faults and problems. Several cars were pure "Monday cars".
Large family cars were not PSA's strongest point in the 70s and 80s. In addition to the CX, they also produced the Peugeot 604 and Talbot Tagora. This trio helped perpetuate the myth that French cars were unreliable. The CX was an advanced car for its time, with hydraulic suspension, speed-sensitive power steering and ultra-sensitive brakes. Nevertheless, most of the problems were related to relatively banal faults where the electrical system was a regular occurrence for many.
The CX received a facelift in 1986. Then it received new plastic parts, - such as more aerodynamic and colour-matched bumpers, channel skirts, fender skirts and new mirror housings. The special – and quirky – instrument panel with rotating drums was replaced by ordinary clocks. If I were to choose the best version, I would choose a facelifted version with a 2,5 liter turbodiesel. Here at home it became quite popular on green signs.
The CX is a fascinating car, but hardly a legend on par with its predecessors.
Undeserved bad reputation!