1988 CXA Citroën CX 25 GTi • Prestige (USA) - MotorWeek Retro
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- čas přidán 28. 01. 2023
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CX in North America
PSA Peugeot Citroën had initially engineered the CX models to meet then current US regulations. One specific circumstance led to Citroën’s permanent withdrawal from the US market at the end of 1973, the January 1, 1974 US regulation wording related to 5 mph bumpers being drafted in such a way that height adjustable suspension was de facto illegal for passenger vehicles.[43][44] The 1974 Citroëns actually built for the U.S. market could not be supplied to Americans due to the effective date of the bumper regulation.
More specifically, the newly updated US regulations (FMVSS No. 215) mandated 5-mph bumpers at both ends of passenger vehicles, with the bumper height to be standardized and maintained at constant height for the 1974 model years - with no distinction for operating ride height, as there was in later EU legislation, since Citroëns are common automobiles in Europe.[46][47] The height-adjustable suspension was integral to the CX design. Even the Mercedes-Benz Congressional lobby had no impact on this mandate, and they had to disable the height adjustment feature for the US-bound W116 S-Class saloons and S123 estates.[48] In 1981, the standardised bumper height and 5-mph bumper requirements failed Cost-benefit analysis and were rescinded.
In addition, the situation for Citroën in the North American market was worsened by Citroën’s corporate financial situation and the cost of U.S. and Canadian design legislation.[50] People with Diplomatic immunity are not subject to lawsuit or prosecution under the host country's laws, so diplomats in the U.S. still had access to the CX. So did foreign tourists under the personal use exemption, bringing in the CX for temporary use.
From 1979 on, Americans obtained the CX through grey import specialists, including the firm Trend Imports, who modified them to comply with US regulations.
Beginning in 1983, CxAuto (CXA), based in Lebanon, New Jersey, remanufactured the CX in the Netherlands before exporting them to the United States with full US compliance.[51][52] The cars were crash tested as required by NHTSA. The bumpers were fitted with shock absorbing elements, the passenger doors were fitted with side impact bars, the form-fitting headlamps were replaced with four round capsule headlamps and fog lamps, the exhaust system was fitted with oxygen sensor and catalyst, and so forth. They offered a 5-year/50,000-mile warranty and sold the CX cars in 49 states except California (due to stricter emission regulations).[53][54] CxAuto removed the Citroën and CX badges and double chevron logos and marketed them as the CXA.
The CXA retail price was $39,900 for CX 25 GTi and was $49,800 for CX 25 Prestige, at a time when the similar 1988 Peugeot 505 GLS sedan had an MSRP of $17,775.[55][56] The higher price was due to the unwillingness of PSA Peugeot Citroën to sell CX at wholesale price, and due to the high cost of engineering and modification work to meet US regulations.
Another specialist, Citroen Importers of North America (CINA), based in Atlanta, Georgia, also imported CX and modified them for US regulations.[57] They received cease-and-desist letters from PSA Peugeot Citroën to stop selling CX cars to Americans. CINA was allowed to sell the remaining CX in stock before terminating the sales permanently.
Despite lack of advertisement, minimal service network, and higher retail price, Trend Imports, individuals on the grey market, CxAuto, and CINA managed to supply Americans with about 1,000 CX units during the 1980s.
Today, all CXs are over 25 years old, so the federal government no longer criminalizes their import or possession
The Citroën CX is a large, front-engined, front-wheel-drive executive car manufactured and marketed by Citroën from 1974 to 1991. Production models took the form of a four-door fastback sedan, station wagon (estate), and a long-wheelbase fastback limousine. The CX is known for its hydropneumatic self-leveling suspension system, and its low coefficient of drag, underscored by its nameplate CX, which references the aerodynamics symbol c x c_{x} for drag coefficient.
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Prestige
The CX short wheel base fastback had insufficient rear legroom to function as a chauffeur driven limousine (a common use for the spacious DS model), so in 1976, Citroën introduced another 25 cm (10 in) longer version, the Prestige variant. The Prestige offered more rear legroom than any other standard-sized sedan in the world. In 1977, it also gained a raised roofline to improve headroom. Prestiges often came equipped with a vinyl roof. Contemporary reviews of the Prestige were favourable. In 1976 the UK's Driver and Motorist praised its comfort and interior fitments.[34] In 1980, a diesel engine variant was introduced, the Limousine.
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Back in the 90s, a friend of mine had one of those, the CX 2.4 Diesel 'Pallas' version. Almost every Saturday night, I carried a cup of beer with me after the - then called - 'discotheque'. I didn't spill a single drop when sitting on the backseat. It was a ridiculous, comfortable ride, secure at high speed and cornering, with unbelievable road manners for a car projected in early 70's and launched in 1974. The 1955 DS hydraulic suspension legacy continued later on with the 1970 GS, the SM, the CX, later the BX, XM, Xantia till the last generation C5.
I concur. It's ridiculously comfortable compared to the vehicles at that time and today.
I personally am not fond of the Citroën brand as such. I am in love with the suspension comfort that Citroën once provided.
I grew up where my father drove a Citroën ID19 (cheep DS) and was inspired by his input.
So my first car became the CX which I personally found very innovating and beautiful.
I have had quite a few CX, XM and one BX only to come back to the CX.
Yes, I have owned SAAB and BMW in between. ;)
So for now, I drive my SAAB and BMW while restoring my CX Prestige.
In Australia my dad had a 1977 CX 2400 Pallas C Matic.
I took Paris Delivery of a 1978 CX 2400 EFI Prestige 5 speed manual which replaced my 1972 DS21 EFI Pallas 5 speed.
Totally addicted to Citroens... 17 over 52 years including 3 x 2CV6s...
Those cars are well renowned in Europe, they're among the most comfortable you can get especially on bad roads. Multiple statesmen bought CXs for their government in Eastern Europe where road quality was non existent.
I remember Erich Honecker(GDR/Deutsche Democratic Republik/East Germany) had a CX while the public had to settle for Trabants and Wartburgs.Ethiopia's Haile Seiassie had a gorgeous Citroen SM,though far from Eastern Europe.
Was living in Poland the past several years. A guy from Norway would drive down and park his CX GTi across the street during visits. That was one nice looking car. Steel gray paint. Looked flawless. Nothing beats the moving, adaptive headlights which were illegal in the US and replaced with those ugly circular units on the CX 25 in the video.
For most markets, only the DS and SM had 'moving' headlamps (behind clear glass covers).
The Citroën XM should have been offered more in America. It along with the Peugeot 605 could have brought French cars back to the US with success.
I own a 1997 605 Turbo and although i agree the 605 could have turned Peugeots line in the States, i'm not sure it would have been enough. It is too similar in styling to the 405 and also the Alfa 164, and even though it is a nice place to spend time in, the interior is not as good as one might hope. Plus reliability on those 605's up to the 1992-1993 models is not as good, so i doubt the 605 would have made enough of a change. Still nice to wonder what if, from time to time.
CX Auto did import the XM to the U.S. as well, but in even more limited numbers than the CX.
My dad had a Peugeot with almost 250000 miles in the odometer without any problem
I've honestly wondered why Stellantis doesn't try to bring back Citroen. They couldn't do any worse than they have with Fiat and Alfa Romeo, and they had worse reputations than Citroen did.
Just so long as Nissan doesn't try to bring Renault back into the States. IMHO, they have some of the absolute homeliest cars out there, and it's bad enough they've been sneaking them into this country through Nissan.
@@vwestlife Yes, I know. I still wish Citroen had imported the XM themselves. It would have been cheaper.
I love it.
Interesting the way the CX squats on acceleration but the Prestige remains level 🤔
im still driving a Citroen BX as dailydriver which has the same suspension. I can confirm that this suspension has its own mind. maybe there was not enough pressure at the moment to compensate in time. it very different to any car.
The Prestige has an automatic zapping away the power.
The CX Turbo (2) is a phenomenon.
Fun Fact:
The CX was the official car of the president of france for decades.
C'est exact. Voiture préférée du président Chirac.
It was also favoured by former East Germanys president!
I remember the Sterling, Merkur and others too. We had a lot of brands back then. Oh well. Peugeot too.
The last of the bunch
Interesting vehicle 🤔
CxAuto supplied cars for crash testing. That wasn't cheap. Similar to Europa importing the G Wagen.
Oh... The horn... 🥴🥴
Cool car, but that rear squatting it does on acceleration looks goofy. The rear wheels almost disappear.
Why is that goofy? So many cars squat during acceleration.
Citroen only from Greece.
The change of the spheres cost 600 dollars the most.
"0 to 60 in 10.4 seconds" = impressive? Slightly impressive for an RC car.
Ever heard of 35 years ago? Things change. Most cars, especially in this class, were no faster.
@@GoldenCroc Many cars of the era kill this POS death trap.
@@buckfiden2988Nice opinion. Do you by any chance own a Rover or Mercedes-Benz?
@@Toddlerterminator Nobody smart owns a Rover.
@@buckfiden2988 I’m asking what car you own, because whenever Citroën is brought up, a lot of luxury car owners go into full copium mode, especially Mercedes-Benz and range Rover owners.
Citröen Renault Peugeot and Fiat in the usa doesn't fit
Fiat owns Chrysler
@@TG-cm5mb wooww!
Serious?
I'm talking about Fiat models not about the conglomerate of companies of the Fiat group
It is rather strange. In the US where even Yugo and early Hyundai Excel had a level of success, Renault, Citroen, Peugeot and Fiat never caught on!!
The suspension costs more than the car. 🫤😐
normally does… lol battle cry of the mercedes and range rover owners