The CX was from the time where Citroën still made "real Citroën" cars. Nowadays Citroën makes the same boring cars as any other brand in the Stellantis group. In 1982, this was a premium car in France. It was 128 hp and its max speed was 190 km/h (119 mph). The top one CX 25 GTI Turbo 2 came in 1986 : 2.5 liters Turbo 168 hp, 223 km/h (139 mph). More than 1 million CX (all versions) built in 16 years.
In all this highway driving it should me mentioned he's in a 40 year old car, which speaks to the maintenance as much as the original quality of the car. The steering is self-centering as a result of being fully powered, there is no mechanical connection between the steering wheel and the rack when the system is pressurized. Additionally, the DIRAVI was the first speed-sensitive steering, becoming harder as speed increases (originally introduced in 1970 with the SM). It's also very quick steering, just 2.4 turns lock to lock. Thus you 'think' you way through turns, you must turn the wheel back (well, control the return) or risk much too quick centering. He doesn't cover that the brake pedal barely moves, just 1/2" of travel since the brake system is fully pressurized the pedal only opens a valve. The driver needs to stop putting the transmission in neutral! Pretty poor practice. Not sure I'd allow him to drive my CXs. 🙂
Yea the putting the transmission into neutral while driving and then jerking the shifter left and right for no reason irritates me like almost nothing else when it comes to driving, it just shows complete unawareness of mechanicals behind the transmission by the driver.
@@DMCarReviews You don't need to react negatively to constructive criticism, which is meant to help 😀 "Neutral coasting" engages the brakes more than necessary, leaves you without control in case of brake failure or brake fading; cars with electronic fuel injection such as this CX already had a fuel-cut off when throttle closed and rpm higher than idle. If the car would have an old injection system or a carburettor it would save a bit of fuel...but you still have the safety issues.
The hydropneumatic system (pressured nitrogen in the suspension spheres + LHM - Mineral Hydraulic Liquid) also manages the power steering (and the DIRAVI - DIection à Rappel AsserVI, self-centering steering) and the brakes. The non self-cancelling indicators were pretty specific to Citroën and ended with the CX, most French cars have self-cancelling indicators. The 2.4L 4cyl engine of the CX 2400 GTI (and the 25 GTI Turbo) originated in the Traction Avant (yup, a pre-WWII engine) and evolved with the DS/ID, then with the CX. BTW, DS and CX have bacome quite a rare sight in France (and their prices have become bonkers) but if you want to indulge in some cool reliable and quite affordable hydropneumatic Citroën you can nowadays import the Xantia in the US because 1993 and 1994 models are 30+ years old. It doesn't have the magic carpet ride or the "mushroom" over assisted brake pedal but its induced steering rear axle is something to expericence (not to mention the Acttiva version...). You're not far off with the MB S-Class thumbnail comparison because Mercedes proposed a similar suspension system in their high end SEL models in the 1970's and 80's. Oh, I forgot ; check out "CX Tissier" on YT if you want to watch some 6-wheeler crazy fast van. These vehicles used to cruise at 100MPH at night on many west European highways in the 70's and 80's. And the DS (Michelin) Mille-Pattes...
@@DMCarReviews Thank you for making a proper review of this car, way more insightful and documented than Doug DeMuro's lazy video about the CX 25 Turbo.
@@DMCarReviews If you're looking for a _very_ special Citroën, I recommend you to search for a BX 4TC, it seems there are a few ones in the US. It was a failed attempt at building a competitive Group B rally car when its Peugeot cousin (the 205T16) won two WRC championships in the 80's. However, its rarity (86 road legal cars sold) and the fact it's the only hydropneumatic WRC car ever made might catch your curiosity...
My father owned a I believe it was a CX 2000 Pallas if I remembered right. Great car but it was sensitive against corrosion and one time we were out on the road and dropped the fuel tank because of corrosion…. Today we laugh about it but when it happened it was another story…😅 But the car was very comfy and it was a nice ride.
Always fun when an american meets citroen. Hydro system allows car to "know" how much weight is on every wheel in orden to give corrrect brake pressure. The steering is kinda "fly-by-wire", you are acting on a pump. Its a safety feature, if you find a big hole on the road or bang a tire she will keep straight, autobalance and youd feel nothing. In 1974 they got in journalist, speed up to 100 miles/h and said to them to lift hands as reaching a big water hole...to probe will keep straight. Also many 70s comercials with GS banging tires at high speed. She is like a big boat but is only a perception, if you trust her has a very far limit. Thank you for the video.
