Citroën BX
Loves driving, hates garageswas the main message of Citroën UK's advertising campaign that marked the launch of the BX. The new mid-sized car was unveiled on 23 September 1982 below the Eiffel Tower in Paris. Designed to slot into the Citroën range between the GSA and CX, it was initially available with a choice of 3 petrol engines (1360 cc and 1580 cc in various states of tune) and three levels of trim.
The press release described the BX as a
"new generation Citroën" benefiting from
"shared engines, gearboxes and floorpans, efficiently produced and taking advantage of economies of scale" whilst
"at the same time they preserve Citroën's distinct character" being fitted with
"hydropneumatic suspension, power operated disc brakes on all four wheels and aerodynamic bodywork."
To counter criticisms of earlier models, great attention was paid to the quality of assembly and resistance to corrosion. The use of plastics in many body panels resulted in an unusually light body structure - 241 kg as against the GS' 276 kg and the CX's 323 kg.
The mechanical bits were easily serviced; engines and gearboxes were also used in the Peugeot range, the hydropneumatic suspension system was combined with front MacPherson struts and was guaranteed for 2 years or 100,000 km (60,000 miles). Service intervals were every 10,000 km (6,000 miles) - unusually long for any manufacturer (especially Citroën) at the time.
Citroën described the shape of the BX, styled by Bertone, as
"half way between art for art's sake and ultra banal styling" which
"shows originality without being eccentric". The interior was light, airy and spacious and the dashboard, in true Citroën fashion incorporated all the minor controls into primary groups, focussed around the steering wheel - known as PRN (
Pluie, Route, Nuitor
Rain, Road and Night), they were the latest manifestation of a concept introduced with the CX and used subsequently on the Visa, GSA and Axel.
Almost immediately, the range was extended to include a 1.9 litre GT version, complete with tail spoiler and then in 1984 a pair of diesel engines were introduced. Estate versions in both petrol and diesel format arrived in 1985 as did the Group B Rally "Homologation special" competition BX 4 TC (using largely Peugeot 205T16 mechanicals, but front engined with Hydropneumatic suspension!) and the twin carburettor BX Sport. A facelift in 1986 also resulted in the dropping of the PRN equipped dash in favour of a more conventional layout. Along with the restyle came a new model, the GTi with 125 bhp on tap and 0 - 60 mph time of about 8.5 seconds. A 16 valve GTi 160 bhp variant, together with turbo diesel and 4 x 4 models arrived in due course.
In the UK, some 62 different variants of the BX have been sold - and this ignores special editions. Production ceased in 1994 when it was replaced by the Xantia. Approximately 2,500,000 BXs were built, making it the second most popular Citroën (after the 2CV).
Citroen Car Club UK
