Celebrating 50 Years of the Citroën CX

The CX was officially launched on August 26, 1974, exactly two months after the announcement of the merger between Automobiles Citroën and Automobiles Peugeot. Presented to the press in Sweden the previous July, the twenty-two CX 2000s and CX 2200s used for testing made a remarkable return to Paris, to the Citroën showroom on the Avenue des Champs-Elysées, as part of a 3,400-kilometre, six-day tour called the Raid Arctique 1974. At the wheel were twenty-two young people who had taken part in the Raid Afrique 1973 in a 2CV a year earlier.

Designed under the direction of Robert Opron in the early 1970s to replace the DS, which itself succeeded the Traction Avant, the CX is still remembered today as the great Citroën sedan and station wagons of the 70s and 80s. Like its two prestigious predecessors, it benefited from numerous technical innovations which, throughout its seventeen-year career, gave it exceptional qualities and still set it apart in 2024. Its unique styling gives it an elegant, low-slung, aerodynamic identity that is instantly recognizable. The CX was replaced in the summer of 1989 by the XM, launched the previous May. However, its estate versions continued to be produced until the summer of 1991.

Displayed at the Paris Motor Show in October 2025, the CX 2000 was the star of the Citroën stand and was immediately recognized as an innovative car. From its predecessors, it took the front-wheel drive, hydropneumatic suspension and dual-circuit high-pressure power-assisted disc brakes but also featured a number of original innovations. It’s transverse four-cylinder engine is positioned in the front overhang and tilted forward to further optimize weight distribution and roadholding. For outstanding comfort, the monocoque body is connected to an axle frame by sixteen elastic links that filter out noise and vibration from the front and rear axles, as well as from the engine and gearbox.

The entire interior layout was the result of a very detailed study. The most emblematic feature is undoubtedly the famous lunula-shaped instrument panel, which sits on the dashboard like a special pod. Ergonomics and passive safety were given foremost consideration. Another innovation in 1974 was the retractable front seat belts.

Driving a CX today distinctively notices that all the usual controls that are essential for driving, such as the headlights, indicators, windscreen wiper and horn, are accessible at the tip of your fingers, without your hands ever leaving the steering wheel.

Its many qualities did not go unnoticed and, on January 29, 1975, the CX was awarded the 1975 Car of the Year Trophy by the European motoring press, well ahead of the Volkswagen Golf, Audi 50, Fiat 131 and Volvo 200.

From July 1975 onward, the CX also received the famous Diravi servo-assisted steering system from the SM. This new type of power steering, with its speed-dependent hardness, ensured exceptional steering in all conditions, whether dry, wet or snowy, and at all speeds. Initially available as an option, it was later fitted as standard across the range.

Constant Innovation
Over the years, the CX continued to evolve, receiving innovations and technical solutions that, for the most part, have become the norm half a century later. These include, for example:

• In 1975: air conditioning, electric windows on all four doors, two internally controlled exterior mirrors, rear fog lights;
• 1976: a semi-automatic gearbox;
• 1977: a petrol injection engine, five-speed gearbox, electric sunroof, fog lights, transistorized electronic ignition and light alloy wheels;
• 1978: safety belts in the rear seats and automatic electro-magnetic door locks;
• 1979: an electric oil dipstick on the dashboard;
• 1980: a windscreen watering system integrated into the windscreen wiper, a fuel consumption economizer and an automatic gearbox;
• 1981: low-profile tyres and cruise control;
• 1982: a central locking system with boot door and fuel filler flap;
• 1983: a turbocharged diesel engine and automatic cabin temperature control;
• 1984: a turbocharged petrol injection engine;
• In 1985: braking with anti-lock braking system (ABS), an ice detector, a faulty bulb indicator, a door-open signal, electrically-controlled heated door mirrors with tinted glass, an audible warning when the lights are on and central locking by infra-red remote control with synchronized activation of the interior ignition. Also a redesign of the interior and fitting broader body-coloured bumpers on the exterior;
• 1986: an automatic rear window defroster;
• 1987: a turbocharged diesel engine with air-to-air heat exchanger, and a coded immobilizer;

Throughout its career, the CX was available with a wide range of diesel and petrol engines.

Models:

CX 2000
It was the first of all the CX models powered by a four-cylinder, 1,985 cm3, 11 bhp engine delivering 102 din hp. It was backed-up by the CX 2200 from January 1975 and the CX 2400 from July 1976.

CX Reflex and CX Athena
The 2000 series disappeared in July 1979 with the launch of the CX Reflex and CX Athena equipped with a new 2-litre light alloy engine with overhead camshaft.

CX Prestige
Like the Traction and DS before it, the CX quickly established itself as the car for political figures. Mayors of major cities, prefects, senators, MPs, ministers and political figures all appreciated its elegance, comfort and safety. Of course, the Prime Minister and the President of the Republic were not to be outdone. Citroën soon decided to pay particular attention to this important clientele, and in February 1976 introduced the CX Prestige with a increased rear-seat space, which was made possible by a body 25 cm longer on the wheelbase, top-of-the-range finish, a vinyl roof and stainless steel trim. In September 1978, the CX Prestige interior space was further enhanced by the adoption of a roof raised by four centimetres. Although it was fitted with the most powerful petrol engines, in November 1979 a diesel-engined version, the CX Limousine, was offered.

CX Diesel and CX Turbo Diesel
In December 1975, Citroën launched a diesel version of the CX 2200. From then on, the CX, in both saloon and estate versions. Equipped with a turbocharger in April 1983, the apotheosis was reached in March 1987 with the CX 25 TRD Turbo 2, which received a new 2,500 cm3 engine with 120 bhp instead of 95, and a top speed of some 195 km/h!

CX Break, Family and Business Models
The first estate (station wagon) version was launched in January 1976.

With a massive interior volume of 2.03 m3 when the rear seats were folded down, it offered all the comfort, roadholding and braking qualities of the CX sedans. From October 1976, a family version with two rear seats was offered, providing seating for up to eight! Finally, the CX Enterprise appeared in spring 1984, the last and only commercial version of the CX Estate. Although it only had two front seats and its rear doors were closed, it offered a record length and usable volume of 2.03 m and 2,172 dm3 respectively. Available with petrol or diesel engines, the CX Estate very quickly became the benchmark, for ambulances.

CX GTI, CX GTI Turbo and CX GTI Turbo 2
To provide a worthy successor to the DS 23 IE and its electronic injection engine, in May 1977 the CX GTI was launched, equipped with a 2,347 cm3 L-Type Jetronic petrol injection engine. Developing 128 bhp and mated to a five-speed gearbox, it delivered a top speed of 189 km/h. On the outside, the CX GTI was distinguished not only by its special badging but also by matt black window frames, light alloy wheels (initially available as an option), two fog lamps and a front air deflector. In October 1984, a 2,500 cm3 turbocharged engine delivering 168 bhp was added to the range, transforming it into a CX GTI Turbo and enabling it to claim a top speed of 220 km/h! Finally, in July 1986, the car was renamed the CX GTI Turbo 2 with the addition of an air-air intake exchanger, which not only increased its top speed to 223 km/h, but also significantly reduced fuel consumption.

Redesign — Series 2 CX from 1985:

CX in Competition
The CX entered competition just 14 months after its presentation at the Paris Motor Show. On 26 December 1975, three CX 2200s set off on the famous Abidjan-Nice rally-raid, the same event that gave Thierry Sabine, then just a motorbike racer, the idea of organizing a similar event between Paris and Dakar. After 9,246 km of tracks, mud, corrugated iron and stones, the three Citroëns overcame all the difficulties and reached the finish ranked 4e , 5e and 6e in the two-wheel drive category. From then on, Africa and long-distance events became the new Citroën’s favourite terrain. Its robustness and hydropneumatic suspension enabled it to achieve a number of feats.

Rallye du Maroc, Rallye des Mille Pistes, London-Sydney, Rallye Acropole, Rallye 5 x 5 Transafrica and Rallye Paris-Dakar, the CX, whether standard or prepared, collected places of honour and category wins against much more powerful cars.

In its new official tricolour livery, designed by Philippe Donati, a pupil at the famous Camondo school, the CX scored a historic exploit at the 9e Tour Automobile du Sénégal. Thirty cars took part, including five CX 2400s. After four stages and 3,000 km in stifling heat, only seven cars crossed the finish line on 1er November 1977… The five factory-built CXs scored a legendary quintuple, beating out a Peugeot 504 TI and a Renault 16! The CXs also won the Tour Automobile du Sénégal in 1978 and 1979.

The Paris-Dakar Rally also enabled the CX to become a rally-raid legend. First of all, in autumn 1979, Citroën, provided its organizer, Thierry Sabine, with four Méhari 4 x 4s and, above all, a CX 2400 GTI. With this car, the reconnaissance for the second Paris-Dakar Rally was carried out giving an opportunity for the big Citroën to impress Thierry Sabine with its qualities on all types of difficult terrain! The experience was repeated the following year, but the best was yet to come… In 1981, a factory CX 2400 GTI finished the event in sixteenth place, ahead of many much more powerful 4x4s and, above all, first among the two-wheel-drive cars! Another factory CX 2400 GTI, with more media coverage, made a strong impression on the event and on people’s minds. Entered by Citroën Belgium, it was driven for the first time by Jacky Ickx, then a four-time winner of the Le Mans 24 Hours, and actor Claude Brasseur. After putting on a great show at the front of the field, accumulating places of honour, winning one special stage after another it was one of the contenders for victory when it finished third overall in Gao despite two ten-hour penalties. Proving it’s endurance it was only after several rollovers on the penultimate stage that the CX was finally forced it to retire…

On December 4, 1981, as part of the Dubai Grand Prix organized in the United Arab Emirates by the Al Nasr Motor Sport Club, the Citroën CX Celebrity Race took place where sixteen CX 2400 GTIs were entrusted to the elite of world motorsport, including Richard Attwood, Derek Bell, Jack Brabham, John Fitzpatrick, Dan Gurney, Phil Hill, Denny Hulme, Innes Ireland, Stirling Moss, Roy Salvadori, Carroll Shelby, Patrick Tambay and John Watson. The show was on. From the second lap onwards, the bodywork was rubbing up against each other and the chicanes and bends were largely cut through. The ten laps of the race literally turned into a stock-car event. The video of these sixteen CXs racing can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fumF1qDiIWg&t=5s.

Aulnay, the Birthplace of the CX
Commissioned in 1973, the Aulnay plant began assembling the CX in June 1974. At the time, it was the most modern car assembly plant in Europe. Bodywork, paintwork, upholstery and assembly were all carried out there. The use of computers and robots made it possible to automate the various stages of production to a very large extent, from the spot welding of bodywork components to the operation of the self-storage warehouse, from which the painted bodywork is transported to the assembly line according to its specific characteristics, thereby eliminating the need for tedious handling. The one millionth CX was produced on October 23, 1987. Having employed up to 8,000 people on a 180-hectare site covering 410,000 m2, production of the CX ceased in July 1989. Only estate car production continued at the Heuliez bodybuilder in Cerizay.

CX Advertising
Depending on the model presented, the CX was the subject of avant-garde advertising that was sometimes sober and elegant in its image, sometimes dynamic and punchy, but always effective. The famous RSCG advertising agency, led by the emblematic Jacques Séguéla, created advertisements that appeared in the press at the beginning of the eighties, in which celebrities such as Françoise Hardy and Jacques Dutronc, or the actress Miou-Miou, spoke very highly of the CX in a particularly intimate black and white setting.
Advertising for the CX also included some particularly striking campaigns, with visuals signed by Jean-Paul Goude featuring the iconic model and actress Grace Jones. For the launch of the CX GTI Turbo in October 1984, the photographer-videographer’s muse was at the centre of an aggressive and provocative campaign with the slogan “La CX GTI Turbo, c’est démon! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57OO9EGgdtg. Although this was banned under the pretext of road safety, she didn’t hesitate to highlight the top speed of 220 km/h of the new model with its turbocharged engine… The Minister of Transport at the time decreed that it should be banned, but in doing so gave this memorable campaign an audience that went into overdrive!

CX Production Numbers
Taking all models together, a total of 1,042,460 CXs were produced between 1974 and 1991. This figure breaks down into 913,375 saloons, including 29,380 long versions, from 1974 to 1989, and 129,085 estate cars, including 900 Enterprise, from 1976 to 1991.

CX Replacement
The CX sedan was finally replaced by the XM in May 1989.

The XM was based on the same chassis as the Peugeot 605 and styled in a distinctive, angular fashion, and fitted with self-levelling hydropneumatic suspension. It featured new electronic controls and Hydractive suspension. It also featured a hatchback and a conventional interior rather than the “spaceship” instrument panel of the CX. The XM was clearly related to the BX in layout and construction, but incorporated little design and technology from the CX. The estate version of the CX remained in production until July 1991, when an estate version of the XM was finally launched.

The 50th Anniversary of the CX
Two French CX collectors’ clubs, Agence CX and the CX Club de France, joined forces to organize the CX Jubilee from September 13 – 15, 2024 at the Montigny-Le-Ganelon estate in Cloyes-Les-Trois-Rivières in the Eure-et-Loir region. Events during these three days of passion included an exclusive driving session on Friday on the circuit of the La Ferté-Vidame test centre. This is where the CX, like so many other Citroëns, first took to the road.