Citroen BX test. For her 40th birthday, she takes her revenge

Forty years old: the beautiful age for the Citroën BX, which seems to find a new youth after having aroused so many jokes and sneers. Formerly reviled, it is now taken on by its manufacturer, whose collection department dispatches copies to vintage events and whose designers claim heritage. Better still, she is entitled to a celebration for her birthday, organized from June 2 to 4, 2022 in Alsace. What 1980s sedan can claim such an honor? Even the BMW 3 Series E30, which was born in the same year and has long been among the most revered “youngtimers”, is not entitled to it.

This return to grace is in truth not a surprise. Because, even when it was mocked, the BX continued to exist in people’s minds when the Renault 21 and Peugeot 405 had sunk body and well into oblivion. This status apart, it owes it precisely to the modernity that was its when it was launched at the Eiffel Tower on September 23, 1982, during a staging that has remained famous.

Far from its later poor image, the BX then surprised the crowds with its lines signed Marcello Gandini and its interior designed by Bertone. While her competitors sported severe and sometimes very dated features, it perfectly embodied the taste for modernity specific to the 1980s. Car is also the first successful synthesis between the Citroën spirit and the rationality of the owner of the brand since 1975: PSA. A success materialized by an undeniable success, since in twelve years the BX has sold more than 2.3 million copies and was a real export success. Not bad for “an old man’s car”!

The substantive BX: the 16 TRS

When it was launched in 1982, it was the 16 TRS that was at the heart of Citroën’s system. The more powerful models are still in the making, and it represents the most high-end version. The one presented to us by Alexandre, bought new by his grandfather in 1985, lovingly preserved and cared for, is consistent with this version of the origins which incorporated all the new features introduced by the BX: the XU engine promised a great future at Peugeot-Citroën , the plastic bonnet and tailgate, the smoked quarter windows and the carpet covering the bottom of this dashboard so often attached to the universe of Startrek. The more humble models, from the basic 14 to the 16 RS, were not entitled to so many cosmetic refinements.

With its “satellite” controls distributed around the steering wheel, a change of scenery is guaranteed. The headlights and wipers are managed by means of pull tabs located on each side, while the horn and the headlight calls have their own buttons located at the bottom. As for the indicators, they are activated by a rocker located on the left at the top of the dashboard and do not benefit from any recall. Insults guaranteed in case you forget! Quirks that require you to review all your driving habits but which are not lacking in logic. The highlight of the TRS is undoubtedly its LED tachometer, which links it to the beginnings of computing. We know some who buy it today just for that.

The BX Grand Touring: the GTI BVA

Passionate among enthusiasts, moderator of a forum exclusively devoted to the car and counting a history of several dozen Citroëns owned during its existence, Alexandre also made us try his 1990 GTI. Equipped with an engine practically identical to that of the Peugeot 205 GTI 130, this very rare model with an automatic gearbox perfectly represents one of the factors of the success of the BX: the richness of its range. From the small 62 hp XY engine to the 160 hp 1.9 16-valve through the 1.7 and 1.9 diesels, not to mention the rare “Group B”, there was a BX for practically all tastes and all uses.

The GTI only existed in phase 2, introduced in the course of 1986. A more than substantial restyling because, not only did the BX abandon its small characteristic indicators, but it also adopted a completely new dashboard . Thirty-six years later, this board appears less playful than that of the “Series 1”. But its greater robustness and more traditional ergonomics inspire more confidence. Aesthetically, the GTI added a more virile atmosphere to it thanks to its particularly conspicuous rear spoiler, its specific alloy wheels and its abandonment of the characteristic rear quarter window.

At the wheel of the BX 16 TRS

We settle on board the TRS by curling up in its shell seats with soft foam. We also take care not to knock his knee on the control of the headlight calls, and we slam the very light door with restraint. Everything is fragile on the Series 1, whose finish was one of the most criticized defects. The start resonates the very present noise of the four-cylinder. Even back then, soundproofing wasn’t the BX’s top quality. Quite heavy when stationary, the non-assisted steering fortunately lightens from the first few meters. At the first speed bump, swallowed with a phlegm that modern cars have lost, Car summons one of its master assets: its hydraulic suspension. This feature, which Citroën engineers managed to save after taking over the brand, is the source of one of its major qualities, its imperial comfort… except for some children seated in the back, who keep it painful memories.

Contrary to some preconceived ideas, this suspension does not make the BX a clumsy car or unfit for cornering. Helped by its lightness, the sedan swallows the sequences of curves with relish thanks to particularly direct and precise steering. Despite a strange feeling to the pedal due to the hydraulic system, the braking is also very powerful for the time. Let’s not make it a sports car: the XU engine, equipped with a long box with a rather reluctant control, is certainly relatively torquey but it only climbs in the revs by protesting loudly. This BX should be considered for what it was: a comfortable, livable, efficient and particularly sober wagon in its day.

At the wheel of the BX GTI BVA

Settling on board the GTI after the 16 TRS means reviewing your prejudices. Not all BXs are finished like old Eastern bloc cars. The dashboard of the Series 2 certainly offers a less “Goldorak” style than that of the Series 1, but the quality of its finish frankly did not have much to envy the competition. Thirty-five years later, we can also fully appreciate the robustness of the plastics and the upholstery, which have hardly moved. We are also surprised to find, in their usual place, real Commodo for the headlights and a turn signal which has the good taste to deactivate automatically when you disengage.

The GTI assumes its sportier character, with stiff but still comfortable suspensions. We marvel at the power steering which allows effortless maneuvering, while the 1.9 injection boasts its much higher torque, which cannot be extinguished by the ZF 4HP converter transmission. Certainly, we are far from the speed and flexibility in the passages of a modern transmission, but this extremely rare BX GTI with automatic transmission is a real pleasant surprise. More efficient, less noisy but still just as efficient, it asserts itself as a much more homogeneous car than the 16 TRS, with which we can still imagine going on vacation today, taking advantage of its vast trunk.

Find a BX today

Despite multiple scrapping bonuses and the questionable finish of the first series, the BX displays a rather respectable survival rate for a mass-produced car of the 1980s. There are two reasons for this: the general robustness of its mechanics and an excellent protection against rust, except for station wagons manufactured by Heuliez. It is therefore not difficult to find one, unless the search concerns a sports model, Sport, GTI or GTI 16S. It is the latter that arouse the most covetousness, and the examples in very good condition reach high prices. Thus, a model with only 36,315 km was sold for €47,120 by Artcurial Motors in November 2021. Now count more than €10,000 for a BX in very good condition, except for the GTI, which is trading rather around 6 000 €.

Less expensive, but now rare for sale, the other petrol 1 Series (14, 16 and 19 TRS and GT) are of increasing interest to collectors, especially if they take on one of the shimmering colors that his color chart concealed. It is necessary to consider between 2,500 and 4,000 € to acquire a beautiful 14 and 5,000 € to afford an immaculate 16 TRS equipped with one of these red, blue, beige, green or… yellow colors for the lucky ones. The good deal of the moment remains the GT, top of the range of the Series 1, equipped with the excellent 1.9 105 hp engine and no more expensive than the 16 TRS. Finally, all the non-sporting 2 Series are still at ridiculous prices, with the possible exception of the Ourane diesel. Take advantage of it while there is still time and aim for one of its special Olympic, Tonic, Calanque or Image series, which embody their era.

A big thank you to Alexandre Martin and René Michels for the kindness and patience they showed throughout the day of shooting their BX.

Citroen BX technical sheet