Citroën GS

Citroën GS (1970-1979)

The Citroën GS ( " Grande Série " German as " Large Model " ), later GSA, was a car model of the French car manufacturer Citroen, which was produced between autumn 1970 and mid-1986 in 2.5 million copies. Most of them ran at the factory Rennes from the tape.

From October 1970 to August 1979, the vehicle was referred to as GS, to which in September 1971 joined a wagon labeled Break. After a revision in September 1979 was named the GSA ( " Série Grande athlète " ) series, in which the hatchback got a wide opening door.

The GS had front wheel drive and four-cylinder boxer engines with air cooling. Its hydraulic system, hydraulic pneumatic, was derived in a simplified form of the big sister model Citroën DS, GS accounted for example, the power steering.

The time for the unusually streamlined body allowed a low fuel consumption and a higher than normal speed. The despite air cooling and high speeds quiet motors and the large interior made ​​it a comfortable car.

• 2.1 versions (GSA )
• 2.2 Special models

Drive

Motors

The air-cooled four-cylinder boxer engine was redesigned and had been two drives each with a timing belt overhead camshafts which operated the valves via rocker arms. Offered he was first with 1015 cc and 54 hp ( 40 kW) at 6500 rpm and a maximum torque of 72 Nm at 3500 rpm, and later with 1129 cc and 55 hp (40 kW), 1220 cc with 58 hp ( 43 kW ) and 63 hp ( 46 kW). Last Year, there were some countries already laid down for the GSA 1299 - cc engine with 65 hp (48 kW).

Between September 1973 and October 1975, there was a model with two -rotor Wankel engine of comotor called Birotor with 105 hp (77 kW). Comotor was a joint venture between Citroën and NSU. The Wankel engine KKM 624 was an evolution of KKM 612 from the Ro 80 comotor The rotary engine was still used in the Van Veen OCR 1000. VW moved in 1972 from a contract concluded by NSU and Citroën back and comotor became sole subsidiary of Citroën. A total of 847 GS with two rotors were made ​​. Citroën later tried to buy back all GS Birotor to keep any spare parts supply must; only a small unspecified unknown number escaped the immediate scrapping.

The advanced GSA ³ engines with 1129 cm and 57 hp ( 42 kW ) or 1299 cc with 65 hp (48 kW) driven. Latter was available in two variants, which differ mainly by a transistor ignition and consumption.

Citroën GS Birotor (1973-1975)

Citroën GS Pallas (1978 )

Transmission

The GS had a standard four-speed transmission, an additional charge there was a three-stage semi-automatic transmission with torque converter clutch. The two rotors had a three-stage semi-automatic as standard, this transmission can be found later in the Citroën CX as an option again.

The GSA had, depending on trim level and engine four- or five- speed automatic transmission. The five-speed gearbox had either a rather short, sporty or more comfort -hugging, because speed lowering overall translation. The already known from the GS three-step semi-automatic was translated much longer and now had a standard in automatic parking lock.

Facelift

In September 1979, the vehicle was inside and out thoroughly revised and made ​​sales as GSA.

Visible changes in the GSA were a large tailgate with the hatchback, plastic bumpers, revised tail lights, plastic door handles as well as a futuristic plastic dashboard with operating satellites. GS and GSA possessed as the larger Citroen cars with hydro pneumatic and four disc brakes, the latter was in the lower middle class in the early 1980s, not a standard.

In June 1985 ended the production of the sedan. In July 1986, the break was set.

Citroen GSA Break (1979-1986)

Citroën GSA X3

Versions (GSA )

• GSA Spécial, the basic model, which was rather sober and come standard with four-speed transmission. To recognize this version of the non-existent wheel covers. He was also offered in the wagon version Break. The price of the car in 1981: 11,950 DM ( surcharge Break: 700 DM).

• GSA Club, more comfortable and homely furnished, analog clock, halogen headlamps, five gears. As of February 1981, the price of the GSA Club was 13,930 DM

• GSA Pallas, as is usual with Citroën wore the most luxurious versions the name Pallas. In this version there were tachometer, velor, a speed- friendly fifth gear, Heckscheibenwisch-/waschanlage, card reading lamps and rear center armrest. Typical of this brand reminded the seats more than an armchair on car seats. The price was in February 1981 14.990 DM

• GSA X1, the stripped-down sport version, similar in features to the GSA Spécial, but additionally with tachometer, briefly translated fifth gear, rear spoiler, integral front seats, fog lights and halogen light. At the Spécial remember especially the plastic -clad doors.

• GSA X3, the sporty top version of the GSA. In addition to the X1- Amenities are similar models, you still have a Heckscheibenwisch-/waschanlage, doors with fabric trim, map light. The price of the X3 was in 1981 14,830 DM

Due to the three different gear each GSA went differently. The variants of X1 and X3 worked by the revving engine, despite the relatively low power agile. From autumn 1981, the 1299 cc engine with 48 kW ( 65 hp ) was the only one available, the individual models differed only in their equipment.

Special models

• GS basalt rouge & noir (1978, 5000 edition ): finish in black with red decorative stripe, fog lights, sunroof, upholstery black and red houndstooth pattern
• GSA Tuner (1982, 2500 edition ): finish in black, beige velor upholstery, tinted windows, radio with stereo amplifier and five speakers
• GSA Cottage Break (1984, edition of 2000 ): with color stripes and plaid fabric covers

GS / GSA in everyday life

The GS was voted European Car of the Year 1971. He offered advanced technology for a relatively low price. The car was however soon because of his poor workmanship.

1979 could not be sold a large number of vehicles produced for the UK. These were stored in Southampton, where they were exposed to up to two years of salty air. GS and GSA were reputed to be very prone to rust.

With the hydropneumatic suspension of the GS / GSA offered in the lower middle class an exceptional comfort, Citroën offers the hydropneumatics now only in the middle class. The operating concept of the GSA - all switches are located in two operating satellites and can be reached without taking your hands off the wheel - was developed in the GDR at the company Feuzeugelektrik Ruhla.

As one of the few cars westerly production of the GSA was imported into the GDR and there mostly driven as a company car for senior officers of the NVA. Production in France was closed in July 1986, and in others it was still in production until mid- 1990.

Related models

The engines of the GS and GSA were built until the mid- 1990s in the Romanian small car Oltcit, which was created in collaboration with Citroën. The car was visually very similar to the Citroën Visa and was sold in some Western European countries under the name Citroën Axel.

In addition, the GS -1015 engine in the Ami 8 was installed.

The design of the presented in August 1974 DS successor CX increased significantly with respect to the GS.

Successor

The replacement of the GSA began in September 1982 with the appearance of the Citroën BX. This was initially offered only as a five-door hatchback sedan. The combined BX Break followed until April 1985.

The GSA Break remained until June 1986 as a cheaper alternative in the program.