Citroën BX

Citroën BX (1982-1986)

The Citroën BX (factory designation XB) is one of the summer of 1982 built until the end of 1994 in the Breton Rennes midrange model of the French car manufacturer Citroen.

History of development

Development work on the Citroën BX started in spring 1977. On the one hand, because between the models GS and CX lay a gulf and on the other hand, for reasons of takeover of Citroën by Peugeot on April 8, 1976.

The inclusion of the brand Citroën in the PSA group heralded the beginning of the platform era. Examples are the models LN / LNA and Visa, the base of the Peugeot 104 was formed. The new mid-range model from Citroën should refer as many parts of the Peugeot shelves, mainly engines and transmissions. Nevertheless, the new model over the brand-typical hydropneumatics should have.

Finally, the designer Marcello Gandini received from the house of Bertone commissioned to determine the appearance of the future middle class model. Its design, based on the custom built for Volvo study " Tundra" from 1979 and the Reliant FW11 prototype was subjected to a fine-tuning in the Citroën design center Velizy. The production of BX began in September 1982.

The angular body had only half as many welds on GSA as its predecessor and has been using computers (CAD ) was developed. For weight reasons, hood and tailgate are made of plastic. The consistently implemented lightweight concept ensured that the BX little harder in some cases was even easier than the smaller GSA.

Despite the abandonment of the flowing forms typical of Citroën BX was during his entire construction period as distinctive. The aerodynamics of the BX but did not quite reach the values ​​of the GSA. An initially the top versions (16 and 19 TRS TRD ) of the BX reserved styling Gag were dark tinted polycarbonate side windows in the C-pillars.

Unique were the controls: a rolling speedometer, often called " bathroom scale " by the press and operate satellites. A typical solution Citroën introduced the tachometer in the form of a vacuum fluorescent display as a green light chain is, who was, however, found only in the models BX 16 and BX 19 TRS TRD (from January 1984).

Citroen BX Break (1985-1986)

Citroen BX Sport (1985-1986)

In April 1985, followed by the presentation of the break -mentioned station wagons, the last step to replace the still further built in parallel and also now aged model GSA. The BX Breakfast was developed by the French design office Heuliez and convinced by his very large load capacity, which has been optimized by the higher Asked roof on. His delivery began in August 1985.

Facelift

In July 1986, the BX has been redesigned inside and out. From then on we referred to as BX " Series II ".

The front turn signals were diffusely and received a colorless glass, also the dashboard was completely redesigned. Rolling speedometer and operating satellites evaded conventional analogue instruments and conventional controls.

The design of the BX was further developed in XM.

Rear view

Citroen BX Break (1986-1994)

Cockpit

Citroen BX 19 GTi ( 1986-1993 )

Citroen BX 19 GTi 16V ( 1987-1993 )

Model range

In the early years it was still pretty easy to infer from the type designation on the equipment level. Although some details were from each installed engine dependent, but basically was: The more letters adorned the nameplate, the higher the level of facilities.

The pretty sparse equipped base model was in most markets simply offered with the label BX, had a 4- speed gearbox, plastic- covered door panels and steel rims. The lack of trim underscored the rather austere charm of the entry-level version.

The break -called combination was not available in this configuration. Optical upgraded and equipped with 5 -speed transmission, wheel covers, fabric-covered door panels and radio-ready, the versions were two letters at the end of the type name, for example, BX 14 RE, 15 RE (only B ), 16 RS, 19 RI, 17 RD and 19 RD. This was also the most common trim level for the break, the - was offered with all engines - with the exception of the 1700s - Saugdiesels and the 16- Ventilers.

A major step forward delivered in September 1988, the " 3 -letter models," such as BX 14 TRE, BX 16 TRS / TRI, BX 19 TRS / TRI and BX 19 TRD ( this model identification were 14 TGE, 15 TGE, 16 TZI / TZS, 16 TGI, 19 TZI / TZS and 19 TZD ). Here were central (some with infrared remote control ), four electric windows, rear wiper, electric oil level check, door monitor, map reading lights, velor upholstery, power steering and much more already standard equipment.

The top of the range were the versions offered from 1985 BX 19 GT (later GTi ), BX GTi 16V and Sports, the ( " soupape ", French for valve ) was called in France GTi 16S. The GTi models possessed among other things also about spoilers, fog lights, power mirrors, and oil thermometer. Later, the initials were replaced by names like Pallas, Tecnic or Millesime.

4WD

In the fall of 1989, Citroën introduced the models BX BX GTi 4WD 4WD Break and before permanent four-wheel drive.

In the 4WD 1.9 - liter petrol engine work done with 71-89 kW ( 96-121 hp) and in some markets the 1.7 -liter turbo diesel engine with 66 kW ( 90 PS) his service. It was marketed in most markets in simpler equipped with the body of the BX Break. The same engine, but with modified engine management and 88 kW ( 120 hp ), also came in generously equipped GTi 4WD used - albeit only with the sedan body.

The all-wheel drive was made using a manually lockable center differential on both axles, so was actually "permanent" - as opposed to drive concepts with viscous coupling, which must occur first slip on an axis before the viscous coupling is strong. With ABS equipped vehicles had at the rear instead of a conventional differential, a Torsen differential, which automatically builds a barrier effect at slip on a rear wheel.

It is noteworthy that despite the increased space requirements in the rear of the vehicle, neither the interior nor the trunk were reduced. The high price prevented a larger sales of this model, even though the combination of permanent all-wheel drive with lockable center differential and thanks to Hydro pneumatic adjustable ground clearance the BX 4WD made ​​much off-road than many competitor models.

The teeth of the waves between transmission and transfer case is too weak designed and fails after a certain mileage. The failure paralyzes the drive, spare parts are no longer available. Used parts are rare and mostly also been damaged. The year-on 2WD models heavily modified underbody made ​​it necessary, some parts such as the exhaust system and the swing arms of the rear wheels, specially adapted to the 4WD model, so that spares for 2WD models do not fit here.

Special models

• BX Leader (1985 ), two -tone paint,
• BX Digit (1985 ), with fully electronic digital instruments, onboard computer with 15 functions, central locking with remote control infrared ( PLIP ) and Pioneer car radio.
• BX Fit
• BX Royale (1988 ), metallic paint, alloy wheels, central locking, electric windows, central locking, sunroof, Royale logo
• BX Le Rouge ( 1989), GTi wheel covers and Samtvelours - fabric covers
• BX Calanque (1990 ), Metallic paint in light gray or blue decorative stripe, plaid fabric covers
• BX Deauville ( 1990), Metallic paint, decorative strips, ABS, power steering, central
• Image BX, BX Evasion Image (1990 ), Metallic paint in Gris- Silex, decorative strips, black interior with red stripes, chromed air inlet
• BX Millesime (1990 ), Metallic paint in gray or blue, decorative strips, Millesime lettering
• BX Village (1992 ), painted in burgundy, decorative strips, Village lettering, fabric upholstery, power steering, central
• BX LeMans, Metallic paint, GTi steering wheel, rear spoiler

In Finland, a special model with additional roof structure and lack of rear seats was sold. It was very popular because it could be admitted as trucks and therefore significantly lower taxes to pay were of a comparable car.

Motors

Successor

The replacement of the BX was similar to the previous GSA in two steps:

The presentation of the successor Xantia in March 1993 meant for the BX sedan the end of production in December of the same year.

The station wagon was further built by the end of 1994. In summer 1995, the launch of the successor Xantia Break began.

Current vehicle inventory

According to KBA were admitted on 1 January 2010 in 2431 copies in Germany. On 1 January 2011 there were 1884 vehicles.