2022 Retro Car - Citroen C5 X, BX 40th Anniversary & My AMI Buggy Off-Road Concept
Citroen invites you to visit the brand's booth at the Retromobile showroom and get acquainted with its rich history. This is an event that lovers of classic cars, history and automotive industry simply cannot miss. Paris Expo Porte de Versailles - Hall 7.3 - from 16.03 (Wednesday) to 20.03 (Sunday).
C5X is the successor to a rich line of stately Citroen limousines
Citroen C5 X will be presented to a wide audience for the first time. Continuing the rich tradition of Citroen limousines, the C5 X brings a fresh take on the canons of this segment. It is characterized by an avant-garde form that combines the features of a limousine, station wagon and SUV. Inspired by the innovation and daring of its predecessors, the Citroen C5 X is an invitation to carefree travel in a comfortable, luxury-like cabin.
The highest level of comfort is provided by the active suspension system - Citroen Advanced Comfort - the first of its kind in the world. The C5 X is equipped with the latest technology for comfort and safety. These include: a large display in the field of view of the road, a semi-autonomous driving system and a voice recognition system.
We AMI Buggy CONCEPT - Mekhari of our time
By incorporating the My AMI Buggy concept into this retrospective, Citroen wants to present a new version of this modern model, designed with a grain of salt for those who love independence and are ready for adventure - whether on the road or near the coastal beaches. The mehari of our time - My AMI Buggy Concept - is decorated with numerous elements and accessories and has a passenger compartment without a door, which further emphasizes the spirit of adventure embedded in its personality.
BX celebrates its 40th anniversary
The Model BX, first presented on September 23, 1982 at the Eiffel Tower, marked its originality both with its debut and with its avant-garde design. A few days later, on September 30, 1982, the 69th Paris Motor Show opened its doors at the Porte de Versailles exhibition center, and the BX turned out to be one of its undisputed stars. Built at the Rennes La Janais factories in Brittany and at the Vigo factory in Spain, the BX was a real commercial success, with 2.3 million units sold by the end of production in June 1994.
Citroen asked renowned Italian coachbuilder Bertone to design the body. Designer Marcello Gandini came up with an original shape, solid but not eccentric. He stood out in the automotive scene of the time and became a symbol of BX. The BX, a hatchback with a tailgate and a length of 4.23 m, could accommodate up to 5 passengers, traveling in maximum comfort, swayed by a hydropneumatic self-leveling suspension.
The CX-inspired instrument panel featured shift and turn signal levers on either side of the steering wheel, and an illuminated tachometer. The BX turned out to be surprisingly dynamic, thanks to the powerful engines (62 hp and 72 hp and 1360 cm3 and 90 hp and 1580 cm3) that it was equipped with from the premiere. The car uses innovative composite materials in areas such as the bumpers, tailgate, hood and rear side panels. Thanks to the composites, the car weighed only 885 kg.
12 years on the BX market were marked by numerous changes in the body (station wagon, a wide variety of styles, business version), equipment (sunroof, air conditioning, digital instruments) and drives (power up to 160 hp, electronic fuel injection, automatic transmission, permanent four-wheel drive ). There was even a limited edition - 200 units - of the BX 4 TC Performance car from group B with an engine capacity of 2141 cm3, 200 hp, developing up to 220 km / h. In 1987, the car underwent a complete facelift. The BX's body lines have been softened and an all-new dashboard has been created.
The BX career also includes numerous limited editions (Tonic, Image, Calanque, Leader, …), including the famous Digit version with a fully digital clock and indicator panel. Such a rich career and commercial success of BX left a noticeable mark in the history of Citroen. Of course, the BX has made its way into the hearts of collectors, who are celebrating their 40th birthday with the greatest joy.
OTHER HISTORICAL Citroen Models WHICH YOU WILL MOVE WITH THE TIME
With the help of Citroen Collectors Clubs and continuing its partnership with the C5 X, Citroen is offering the opportunity to re-experience some of the iconic limousines that have marked the brand's history. Travel back in time from the 1930s to the present day, learning about the brand's tradition, know-how and innovation.
Rosalie 10
First introduced at the Paris Motor Show in 1932, it was available with three engine options: 8 HP, 10 HP. with 4-cylinder engine and 15 hp with 6-cylinder engine. It appeared in many body styles and by 1941 162,468 of this model had been built.
Traction Avant 15/6
Traction has been on the market for 23 years. At least 758,948 units of this model were produced between 1934 and 1957, available in versions such as 4-door limousine, coupe and convertible. The Traction was a technological revolution and an iconic vehicle that left its mark on French history during World War II.
It was the first mass-produced front wheel drive car with independent front suspension, 15/6H hydropneumatic rear wheel suspension system in 1954, hydraulic braking and self-supporting bodywork. The result of these innovations was a grip unmatched by competitors of the time. Traction has rightly earned the nickname "King of the Roads".
CX 2000 Pallas
The CX was an important representative of high end cars from 1974–1991. A total of 1,042,460 units of this model were built. In recognition of the commercial success of the CX, it was chosen Car of the Year for 1975. The CX is the essence of Citroen, a true four-door car despite its hatchback silhouette, equipped with hydropneumatic suspension, 4 disc brakes. and front wheel drive. The CX is remembered for its single wiper, concave rear windshield and original instrument panel, as well as the iconic stretched version of the Prestige.
The Citroen collection models featured with My AMI Buggy are proof that daring, creativity and technology have always gone hand in hand with the brand's adventurous spirit.
2 CV Sahara
How can you not dream of a wonderful adventure while standing in front of one of the 694 2 CV 4×4 Saharas? Simple and strong - with one engine in the front and one in the rear. A raised body and a spare tire on the hood make this model ideal for desert driving.
American version of Mekhari
Yes, the famous Mekhari also reached the other side of the Atlantic. In 1970 and 1971, a thousand copies of this model appeared in the United States. The American version of Mehari, adapted to local standards, differed from its French counterparts due to larger round headlights. Even though it was the perfect vacation car in Florida, the Mehari was not well received in the States.
While waiting for the Rétromobile exhibition to open to the public, the most iconic models in the brand's history can be seen on the Citroen Origins website: www.citroenorigins.com (a virtual museum with 79 vehicles available in 65 countries).
Photo: Citroen
