RÉTROMOBILE 2022: 40 YEARS OF BX, MY AMI BUGGY CONCEPT ON SHOW & NEW CITROËN C5 X MAKES ITS PUBLIC DEBUT

• New Citroën C5 X will make its public debut at Rétromobile 2022 in Paris, from 16 to 20 March.
• Rétromobile – the world-renowned international classic car show – is the ideal place to debut New C5 X, which draws inspiration from Citroën’s iconic CX, XM and DS models.
• My Ami Buggy Concept is also on display – showcasing the adventurous side to the all-electric Ami.
• A line-up of classic models, from the 2CV Sahara to the Citroën BX – which is celebrating its 40^th birthday – will also be on show.
• To view Citroën’s heritage model range, please visit: www.citroenorigins.com 

New Citroën C5 X will make its public debut at the 2022 Rétromobile Show in Paris, on Wednesday 16 March.

New C5 X is the latest grand tourer from Citroën, which combines the elegance of a saloon, the practicality of an estate, the desirability of an SUV and the sleek lines of a coupé. The avant-garde body style is not only a look into the future for Citroën, but it also represents a celebration of Citroën’s rich design heritage, combining features from iconic models such as the CX, XM and DS models.

The head-turning good looks of New C5 X are complemented by the brand’s famous ride comfort, thanks to the Citroën Advanced Comfort® programme, featuring Citroën Advanced Comfort® Active Suspension and Advanced Comfort® seats, while the serenity inside is enhanced by a multitude of driver safety aids and a new 12-inch HD touchscreen with natural voice recognition.

MY AMI BUGGY CONCEPT – THE MÉHARI OF TODAY

New C5 X isn’t the only new Citroën model paying homage to the brand’s history at the Rétromobile show. My Ami Buggy Concept will also be there for the public to see. Based on the popular all-electric Ami, My Ami Buggy Concept can be described as a modern-day Méhari, featuring several styling cues that showcase its adventurous personality.

BX CELEBRATES ITS 40^TH BIRTHDAY

First unveiled under the Eiffel Tower on 23 September 1982, the Citroën BX made its mark through its style and avant-garde design. A few days later, on 30 September 1982, the 69^th Paris Motor Show opened its doors at the Porte de Versailles exhibition centre and the BX became one of the undisputed stars of the show. A fully-fledged commercial success, the BX – which was built at the Rennes La Janais plant in Brittany and the Vigo plant in Spain – sold more than 2.3 million units before production finally ended in June 1994.

Citroën turned to the famous Italian coachbuilder, Bertone, to design the BX’s bodywork. The designer, Marcello Gandini, created the original shape, which stood out in the automotive landscape and became an instant icon. 

Equipped with a tailgate, the BX is a 4.23-m long hatchback that could accommodate up to five passengers in comfort, cradled by innovative hydro-pneumatic suspension. The CX-inspired dashboard came with new features for its time, such as controls on either side of the steering wheel and a backlit tachometer. Packing powerful engines from launch (62hp and 72hp 1360cc, and a 90hp 1580cc), the BX was surprisingly dynamic. It was also innovative in its use of composite materials for components such as the bumper, boot lid, bonnet and quarter-panels, weighing in at just 885kg.

The BX's 12 years on the market were marked by numerous specification changes in terms of bodywork, equipment (sunroof, air conditioning, digital instrumentation) and powertrains (a 160hp variant was available at one point, electronic fuel injection, automatic gearbox and permanent four-wheel drive). A limited series of 200 units of the BX 4 TC Group B competition car (2141cc, 200hp, 135mph) were even available.

The BX underwent a major restyling in 1987 and was given exterior upgrades and a completely new dashboard.

With such a rich life and with so much in the way of commercial success, the BX clearly left its mark on Citroën's history. Naturally, it has a place in the hearts of collectors who will delight in celebrating its 40^th birthday at Rétromobile 2022.

OTHER HISTORIC CITROËN CARS FOR A JOURNEY BACK THROUGH TIME

To keep New C5 X company, Citroën – with help from Citroën collectors' clubs – is providing an opportunity to get reacquainted with some of the iconic models that have marked the history of the brand’s grand tourers, from the 1930s to the present day. Visitors will be able to see the following vehicles:

Rosalie 10: First unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in 1932, the Rosalie was available in three forms: 8hp, 10hp with a 4-cylinder engine and 15hp with a 6-cylinder engine. Also available in several body styles, a total of 162,468 were built until production ceased in 1941.

Traction Avant 15/6: Sold for 23 years, from 1934 to 1957, no fewer than 758,948 Traction Avants – available in 4-door saloon, coupé and cabriolet variants – were built. A legendary vehicle that marked the history of France during the Second World War, the Traction was technically revolutionary. It was the first mass-production car to have front-wheel drive, independent front suspension, a hydro-pneumatic suspension system for the rear wheels of the 15/6 H in 1954, hydraulic braking and a monocoque body. The result was road holding that most of its contemporaries had difficulty matching. The Traction rightly earned the nickname “Queen of the Road”.

CX 2000 Pallas: The CX embodied Citroën's high-end range from 1974 to 1991. A total of 1,042,460 models were built. In recognition of its commercial success, the CX was voted ‘Car of the Year’ in 1975. A true 4-door car despite its hatchback silhouette, the CX was the very essence of Citroën: hydro-pneumatic suspension, disc brakes on all wheels, and front-wheel drive. The CX was remembered for its single windscreen wiper, concave rear window and lunula dashboard, as well as with its iconic extended “Prestige” version.

Alongside My Ami Buggy, Citroën is showcasing some of its more adventurous vehicles from the past, including:

2 CV Sahara: How could anyone fail to dream of adventure when standing in front of one of the 694 2CV 4x4 Saharas built? It was simple and sturdy, with one engine at the front and another at the rear. With its raised body and spare wheel on the bonnet, it was essential for any desert crossing.

US Méhari: In 1970 and 1971, a thousand Méharis made it across the Atlantic Ocean to the US. Adapted for compliance with local standards, the US version of the Méhari distinguished itself from its French cousins with its oversized round headlights. Although an ideal leisure vehicle for Florida, the Méhari only received minor success in the US.

Ahead of Rétromobile 2022, enthusiasts can view some of the most iconic models from Citroën's history on the Citroën Origins website: www.citroenorigins.com 

ENDS

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

FOLLOW CITROËN ON TWITTER AT: www.twitter.com/citroenuk

FIND CITROËN ON FACEBOOK AT: www.facebook.com/citroenuk

FOLLOW CITROËN ON INSTAGRAM AT: www.instagram.com/citroenuk

The Citroën brand

Since 1919, Citroën has created automobiles, technologies, and mobility solutions to respond to evolutions in society. Being an audacious and innovative brand, Citroën places serenity and well-being at the heart of its customer experience, and offers a wide range of models, from the unique Ami, an electric mobility object designed for the city, to sedans, SUVs, and commercial vehicles, most of them available with electric or plug-in hybrid powertrains. A pioneer brand in services and the attention paid to its individual and professional customers, Citroën is present in 101 countries with a network of 6200 sales and service points around the world. Citroën UK media website: www.media.stellantis.com/uk-en/citroen – @CitroenUK