Forty years after its launch, and despite its presence on every street corner for many years, the Citroën BX remains remarkable in more ways than one. Long shunned on occasion, it is becoming popular again. A look back at a sedan (and a station wagon) with a turbulent history.
Produced in 2,315,739 units between 1982 and 1994, the Citroën BX is still familiar on French roads, even if its age and low financial value tend to rule it out. The herringbone sedan, star of the 1980s, made an impression with its innovative style that was divisive. The story behind this design is just as interesting as the end result, which is gradually making this model a classic. The Citroën BX celebrates its fortieth anniversary in 2022.
TO READ. French cars celebrating their 20th, 30th birthday… in 2022
Before Citroën, the BX could have been Volvo, Mazda or even Jaguar
The lines of the BX are the work of the famous Italian design studio Bertone. But, originally, the work of the latter was not intended for Citroën.
In 1977, at Bertone, Marcello Gandini designed for the Turkish manufacturer Anadol a sedan named FW11 with lines already close to those of the BX. But the development of the car was abandoned like that of its British twin, the Reliant Scimitar SE7.
The same year, the same Gandini made the Jaguar XJ-S Ascot concept car, which the English brand did not transform into a production model. Again, we can see the outline of the BX.
In 1979, it was Volvo that badged a Bertone/Gandini hatchback concept with angular lines, the Tundra, which also did not become a commercial reality. Two years later, this project was revamped at Bertone by the Frenchman Marc Deschamps for Mazda and became the MX-81 Aria concept. Again, no industrialization ensued. Guess no one wanted it. Except Citroën, a manufacturer traditionally focused on risky innovations, which had to reinvent itself after its takeover by Peugeot in 1976. The chevron firm, which was developing the replacement for the GSA under the code name XB, then called on Bertone and said yes. to this futuristic style. Thus was born the BX.
The Citroën BX, a unique proposition
The Citroën BX was presented to the public at the Paris Motor Show in September 1982. Its protruding edges, its “fastback” profile, its front indicators marking a connection with the headlights (which changed with the 1986 restyling) and its partially covered rear wheels attracted as many fans as detractors. The interior design was in tune, which led to a particular ergonomics requiring a little adaptation.
The stretched look of the BX masked its compact dimensions since the car was only 4.23 m long, which did not prevent it from offering five seats and a 445 l trunk. In addition, its studied aerodynamics and its weight of approximately 1 ton guaranteed performance and sobriety. Finally, equipped with four disc brakes and the famous hydropneumatic suspension characteristic of Citroën, the new heart of the range had a host of advantages to promote.
TO READ. These cars that should have been born under another brand
A varied range for wide brewing
The Citroën BX was entitled to a multitude of engines, in gasoline as in diesel. Several sports versions were created, from the 126 hp BX Sport to the 160 hp 16-valve GTi among others, not forgetting the 200 hp 4TC derived from the car that Citroën entered briefly, and without success, in rallying in the Group. B. All-wheel drive was offered on some variants.
The BX in station wagons, coupés and concept cars
The Évasion station wagon also contributed to the commercial success of the BX. Other types of bodywork were considered. Heuliez, who assembled station wagons in Cerizay (Deux-Sèvres), while sedans were produced in Rennes (Ille-et-Vilaine), produced in 1985 a prototype coupé which was not followed up.
The following year, the French coachbuilder presented a three-door BX Break named Dyana which remained a study in style. Bertone, for his part, also unveiled in 1986 a concept of shooting station wagon based on BX called Zabrus. This no longer had much to do with the original model on the aesthetic level, but it already foreshadowed the overall evolution of automotive design.
Today, when youngtimers are more popular than ever and the end of thermal engines is looming, the rating of the BX is tending to rise. Some sports versions sometimes exceed €10,000 when more classic models are in very good condition for less than €5,000.
TO READ. Citroen. 15 future collectors at prices (still) accessible
