S i r !

CX-ELLENCE

In the present age of uniform Eurocars, should we not observe at least one minute's silence for the passing of the last individualist and one of the stoutest of cars, the Citroën CX? It did not sell, but that has been the fate of many original designs. Most drivers preferred Cortinas, and they were encouraged in this by the "teenage scribblers" of the British motoring press.
—You may not like to be reminded that when road-tested by CAR, the Citroën CX was rated (back in 1975) as being more or less equal in merit to the Austin Princess!
—Throughout its life the CX has been derided by said scribblers, who carp that when you stamp on the brake pedal, as you have to in lesser cars, the effect is unexpectedly violent. This sort of criticism could be likened to complaining that Concorde does not handle like a Lancaster. The steering was too responsive, they complained, ignoring the fact that they had turned the wheel too far too quickly. How would they manage on a bike?

—Another favourite carp was that it was no good over humpbacked bridges. Even if this were true, how many such bridges does one come across on modern roads? As it happens, the CX is very good under these conditions and the complaint was originally made about the DS some 20 years earlier.
—The real qualities of the car were seldom remarked upon. Few noticed the total stability in cross winds; Rovers of that vintage were blown about like leaves, and modern Fords have some way to go to match it. The automatic adjustment of the brake balance to suit load conditions was of great value in pre-ABS days. Best of all was the self-levelling suspension. This never got the praise it deserved because, I suspect, road tests are seldom carried out in a fully laden condition.
—The current crop of executive saloons may look fine driving one-up to the office but, when required to transport the executives' family (have you noticed that in the ads executives don't have families unless they have estate cars?) on the annual holiday, they lose their poise, rear wheels disappear up into the wings, tail sags and headlights illuminate the tree-tops.

—The real success of the CX was that it worked. True, it was complicated, but the complicated bits do not seem to give much trouble. Citroën deserves considerable credit for producing such a sophisti­cated yet reliable mechanism. Very few other manu­facturers could have done it.
—It would appear that Citroën has a different approach to design. This is best illustrated in its approach to hydraulics. Every vehicle manufacturer encounters considerable problems with leakage from hydraulic units such as power steering. You will find their service information to dealers littered with news of the latest improved seal which will end their woes.
—Citroën has a different approach. It accepts that hydraulic units leak. The solution is to enclose the unit with a rubber gaiter, from which there is a scavenging line back to the reservoir. With this system leaks don't matter; as long as the pump has an output greater than the sum of the leaks, your CX will get up in the morning, and all will be well. What a masterpiece!

RL Morris
Coventry
Warwickshire

CAR February 1990