Citroen BX 4TC '1986

'Epic Fail'

Only Frech car can have six headlights! Source: www.flickr.com

Like many others back in the 80's Citroën developed their weapon for rally's Group B. Unfortunately just as the monster made its depute the whole series was finished. Well Citroën had some leftovers from limited series lying around so they decided to go for a ultimate GT -car!

The car officially launched in 1985 and meant for the next season. 4TC basis on BX, but is far from normal and evolution version is even crazier with bigger turbo and number of radiators in the back. Both hand built specials have significant amount of headlights, terribly long nose, because the engine mounted in 90 degree angle in the front to fit. Bodywork has plastig surgeries everywhere with cool boxy styling characteristical for the era. Interior luxurious with all the equipment and very similar to BX GTI. 

Massive plastic pulges. Source: www.picstopin.com

Sales of the 4TC were disappointin and only 62 pieces were sold and those were so prone for the mechanical failures that Citroën offered to buy cars back for destruction! It's estimated that 55 examples exist and only couple are EVO's, one in Citroën's museum and another one in private collection. However three EVO -bodyshells were rescued: one is rebuild, one crashed, and one somewhere. Here's an small test drive of the car and here's the beast in duty -damn the works model is out of scale!

Best achievement of the works model was 6th place in Swedish rally.

Very rare black one. Source: www.drivecult.com

In details:

Engine
- R4, 2141cc, 16valve (downsized from Chrysler 180's and Talbot Tagora's 'N9TE' 2155cc)
- Bosch, K-jetronic
- Garrett, turbocharger
- Ait-to-air intercooler
- Compression ratio: 7:1
- Cast iron block with aluminium single-cam head
Numbers
- approx. 200hp/5250rpm (6000rpm red line) (works 380hp/7000rpm)
- 294Nm/2750rpm (works 451Nm/5500rpm)
- 0-100Km/h: 7,5s (4TC-EVO in 5,5s)
- 0-400M: 14,3s
- Top speed 220Km/h
- 1280kg
- Drag coefficient: 0,4

Transmission
- 5 speed manual (from Citroën SM), 4WD 

Chassis
- Unique hydropneumatic suspension
- Citroën CX brakes
- 150 TR 380 FH 'Aero' alloy wheel with 210/55 VR 390 tyres

Exterior
- Six headlights!
- Massive bonnet bulge
- Fog light pattern between headlights
- Long long nose extension (because longidutial engine mounting)
- Flared wheel arches
- Special bumpers

Interior
- Dashboard with 7 dials and 20 "analog" warning lights
- 3 spoke leather steering wheel
- Extra gauges
- otherwise similar to BX GTI

Other
- 200 examples built and the dozen or so cars with two doors and a shortened wheelbase (For homologate the Group B version)
- Rumors say that only 20 or so examples survived the purge
- Purchasing prize nowadays between 40,000 euros and 60,000 euros