In our summer saga devoted to the cars of the BRI (rapid intervention brigade) of the National Gendarmerie, the Citroën SM holds a central place. It embodies the prestige of a conquering France that nothing can stop … except perhaps the first oil shock.
With the Citroën SM, the BRI is at its peak in terms of prestige vehicles. Indeed, the other cars of the rapid intervention brigade of the National Gendarmerie cannot claim as much standing as the large Citroën coupe, powered by a Maserati V6 engine.
What better candidate than him to cross at high speed in princely comfort and optimal safety on the highways, whose network was then in full development? Capable of reaching 228 km / h in all serenity – thanks to the speed-controlled Diravi steering with hydraulic return in a straight line as well as the oleopneumatic suspension – the Citroën SM had it under the hood! One hundred and seventy equines capable of spinning the train to offenders traveling at the wheel of Mercedes or Porsche. Following conclusive tests carried out in 1971, the BRI decided in 1972 to acquire two Citroën SMs, then fitted with three additional units the following year.
TO READ. Rapid Intervention Brigade. Mythical vehicles to discover!
A presidential color!
Like the Alpine A310, which made a parallel career in the ranks of the BRI, the Citroën SM has a profiled muzzle housing six headlights under glass for aerodynamics. In addition, in order not to penalize penetration into the air, a small flashing light takes place on the roof. This is an American type model that is also found on the flag of the Alpine A310. A much less imposing element than an unsightly rotating beacon. The car is highlighted by its Brégançon blue color, in reference to the Var summer residence of the Presidents of the French Republic: Fort de Brégançon.
A very beautiful color from the brand’s color chart, but which did not distinguish the SM of the BRI from those running in civilian life. There was no inscription on the hood or on the tailgate. Only a white lettering “Gendarmerie” adorned the doors. It is difficult to be more minimalist in terms of decoration… Four of the five Citroën SMs of the BRI remained in service until the end of 1978. They were reformed in turn with an average mileage of 250,000 km. One of them nevertheless made the pleasure last until the beginning of 1979 with 280,000 km on the clock.
An expensive car to use
This flagship of the National Gendarmerie had a very high cost of use for the taxpayer. To be in full possession of its means, the Citroën SM required an expensive service every 10 000 km, or a monthly visit to the garage. Thus, it was rare that the five SMs of the BRI were simultaneously at work on the roads. To make matters worse, his appetite, also important, required frequent refueling at a time when the price of gasoline experienced a first spectacular rise.
During the 1980s, the Alpine A310 alone played the role of the brigade’s sports coupe with less panache and more sportiness. While another Citroën much more pragmatic, the CX GTI, officiated in the ranks of the BRI.
TO READ. Rétromobile 2020. 50 years of the Citroën SM!
Largus.fr warmly thanks Magalie Dufour, Jean-Yves Hardouin, the teams of Gendarmerie museum and Fontainebleau police school for their welcome and availability.
Citroën SM technical sheet
- V6 engine displacement: 2,670 cm3
- Power: 170 ch
- Torque value: 230 Nm
- Dimensions (L x W x H): 4.89 x 1.84 x 1.32 m
- Weight: 1490 kg
On the same topic
- A110, CX 25 GTI, R21 Turbo. The other French stars of the BRI
- Renault-Alpine A310 (1974-1987). The BRI runs in 6 cylinders!
- Matra Djet 5S (1966-1967). The first racing car of the BRI
- In the reserves of the Musée de la Gendarmerie!
- Everything you need to know about the plates and colors of Gendarmerie vehicles
- Unusual vehicles in the Gendarmerie museum reserves
