Test drive Citroën 11 CV, Citroën DS, Citroën CX: French avant-garde
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Test drive Citroën 11 CV, Citroën DS, Citroën CX: French avant-garde

Citroën 11 CV, Citroën DS, Citroën CX: the French avant-garde

Long live the difference! Meeting with two current and one future French classic

In the twentieth century, the Citroën brand has a special place in the automotive world thanks to the latest technology and original design. Today we will take a look at three classic models: 11 CV, DS and CX.

In the early 60s, tourists visiting France saw an unusual picture on the road: between the ultra-modern Citroën ID and DS models with sleek torpedo-style surfaces and the posh Pininfarina-shaped Peugeot 404 with small rear fins. , numerous black or gray cars of pre-war design were driving.

It seems that not every Frenchman could afford a new family car. At least, many owners of Opel Rekord and Ford 17 M, who came with children from Germany to spend their holidays in France, thought so. However, they were severely mistaken, because the old-fashioned, somewhat lower and slightly intimidating "gangster cars" were filled with modern technology and were sold by Citroën as new cars until 1957. And today introduced the Traction Avant in 1934. in versions 7, 11 and 15 CV is one of the most sought after classic models.

Citroën 11 CV with 23 years of service

With its self-supporting body, compact and safe front-wheel drive, low center of gravity and comfortable torsion bar, the Traction Avant, as it is commonly called, has remained in the company's range for 23 years. When production resumed in 1946 after a five-year hiatus during the war, 11 CVs still retained their pre-war appearance with rear doors, a huge vertical radiator and large open fenders and headlights.

The only significant change came in the summer of 1952, when the wipers were attached to the bottom, and due to the expansion, the rear space was opened up for an outside-mounted spare tire and more luggage. Therefore, connoisseurs distinguish between a "model with a wheel" and a "model with a barrel." The second one is already with us and ready for a test ride.

Stroller with a cozy back

In the Traction Avant, the driver and front passenger are considered part of the attendants, whose task is to gently guide the gentlemen traveling in the cozy back seat. The narrowing legroom up front and the windshield rising right in front of the driver look almost unsettling against the regal conditions of the rear seat. In addition, the unusual shift lever protruding from the dashboard finally gives the driver of the Traction Avant the stamp of a skilled coachman - although the three-speed gearbox, located in front, behind the grille, is easily shifted by this lever.

However, the power steering system requires as much power on site as the steering wheel of a five-ton MAN Bundeswehr. On the road, however, the car handles well, and the suspension comfort deserves the definition of "pleasant". The relatively high noise level creates the illusion of breakneck speed. Four-cylinder 1,9-liter engine with 56 hp manages to accelerate to almost 120 km / h - those who wanted more had to wait for the more dynamic DS.

Citroën DS with hydropneumatic suspension for the first time

When Citroën introduced the DS 1955 as the successor to the Traction Avant in 19, most of the brand's loyal customers experienced the typical "future shock" when Citroën proposed replacing the stagecoach with a jet. However, on the first day of the presentation of the car at the Paris Motor Show, 12 orders were received.

With the DS series, designers not only skip half a century of design development, but also hide under a futuristic case and a variety of innovative equipment. Even hydropneumatic suspension alone is enough to make driving a new experience.

The red 21 DS 1967 Pallas looks like a spaceship because the rear wheels are almost completely hidden under the body. When the engine starts, the chassis wakes up and lifts the body a few inches. The hydropneumatic suspension combines nitrogen as a spring with a central hydraulic system whose pump provides a constant ground clearance that can even be adjusted. Only the relatively tall seat is reminiscent of the previous model, while the single-spoke steering wheel and life-sustaining medical device-style dashboard speaks of modern Citroën times.

Thanks to the semi-automatic transmission to the typical DS sponge brake, there is no clutch pedal. We shift gears without the left foot, only with the lever on the steering wheel, we stop without the usual pedal travel, we only press the rubber sponge harder or weaker - and we slide along the asphalt, as if almost without touching it. Progress is also evident in the achieved speed - with its 100 hp. The DS 21 hits a tight 175 km/h. In fast corners, however, the car leans in a way that leaves passengers and passers-by horrified – but that seems to be forgiven. Also installed is the CX, which for our triple comparison is in the 1979 GTI version.

Citroën CX GTI with 128 HP

And here the visual difference between the DS series and its successor, introduced in 1974, is huge - although the CX is six centimeters narrower than the DS, it looks significantly wider and more impressive than its predecessor. The difference is mainly due to the large trapezoidal headlights and the reduced overall height of the car by almost ten centimeters. The CX is considered a successful hybrid between the DS and the sporty mid-engined Matra-Simca Bagheera.

Leather seats with sporty contours and a five-speed vertical-lever transmission emphasize the claim to the dynamics of a large 128 hp passenger car. and a top speed of 190 km/h. The engine is now transverse, allowing for a much lower leg-forward landing. Despite the hydropneumatic suspension and the still stark difference between front and rear tracks, the CX corners confidently but doesn't forgo typical Citroën features such as a single-spoke steering wheel, speedometer and even a magnifying tachometer. But that's why we love these brave, wayward Frenchmen - because they save us from the banal mass of sweets.

Conclusion

Editor Franz-Peter Hudek: Citroën Traction Avant and DS deservedly belong to the cohort of great classics. They offer a huge amount of individualistic charm and, in addition to that, a very interesting technique. CX continues this tradition. Unfortunately, even Citroën fans realized this rather late - today the CX already belongs to an endangered car species.

technical details

Citroën 11 CV (produced in 1952)

Engine

Four-cylinder, four-stroke in-line engine with side camshaft at the rear. with a timing chain, Solex or Zenith carburetor.

Bore x Stroke: 78 x 100mm

Working volume: 1911 cm³

Power: 56 hp at 4000 rpm

Max. torque: 125 Nm at 2000 rpm.

Power transmissionFront-wheel drive, three-speed manual transmission, first gear out of sync.

Body and chassis

Self-supporting steel body, independent suspension, four-wheel drum brakes

Front: triangular and cross beams, longitudinal torsion springs, telescopic shock absorbers.

Rear: rigid axle with longitudinal beams and torsion transverse springs, telescopic shock absorbers

Dimensions and weight Length x width x height: 4450 x 1670 x 1520 mm

Wheelbase: 2910 mm

Weight: 1070 kg.

Dynamic performance and costMaximum speed: 118 km / h

Consumption: 10-12 l / 100 km.

Period for production and circulationFrom 1934 to 1957 759 copies.

Citroën DS 21 (1967)

Engine

Four-cylinder, four-stroke in-line engine with side camshaft at the rear. with timing chain, one Weber two-chamber carburetor

Bore x Stroke: 90 x 85,5mm

Working volume: 2175 cm³

Power: 100 hp at 5500 rpm

Max. torque: 164 Nm at 3000 rpm.

Power transmissionFront-wheel drive, four-speed manual transmission with hydraulic clutch actuation.

Body and chassisSheet steel platform frame, hydropneumatic leveling suspension, four-wheel disc brakes

Front: crossbars

Rear: longitudinal beams.

Dimensions and weight Length x width x height: 4840 x 1790 x 1470 mm

Wheelbase: 3125 mm

Weight: 1280 kg

Tank: 65 l.

Dynamic performance and costMaximum speed: 175 km / h

Consumption 10-13 l / 100 km.

Period for production and circulationCitroën ID and DS from 1955 to 1975, 1 in total.

Citroen CX GT

EngineFour-cylinder, four-stroke in-line engine with side camshaft at the rear. with timing chain, Bosch-L-Jetronic petrol injection system

Bore x Stroke: 93,5 x 85,5mm

Working volume: 2347 cm³

Power: 128 hp at 4800 rpm

Max. torque: 197 Nm at 3600 rpm.

Power transmissionFront-wheel drive, five-speed manual transmission.

Body and chassisSelf-supporting body with bolt-on subframe, hydropneumatic suspension with leveling, disc brakes on all four wheels

Front: crossbars

Rear: longitudinal beams

Tires: 185 HR 14.

Dimensions and weight Length x width x height: 4660 x 1730 x 1360 mm

Wheelbase: 2845 mm

Weight: 1375 kg

Tank: 68 l.

Dynamic performance and costMaximum speed: 189 km / h

Acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h: 10,5 sec.

Consumption: 8-11 l / 100 km.

Period for production and circulationCitroën CX from 1974 to 1985, 1 copy.

Text: Frank-Peter Hudek

Photo: Karl-Heinz Augustin

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