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

Citroen CX 25 GTI Turbo ´1984-1989

'Big cat'

There's a small place in my heart for the big Citroen's. The Kamm tail 5-door design adds a pinch of drama for the scene when appearing and very few other car have reached similar feline essence. CX (meaning 'Cd' drag coefficient in French) was introduced in 1974 to replace the avant gardist automobile of them all -DS. Around 1,2 million CX's were produced during the long producing period until 1991. The Turbo models came into the picture in 1984. CX Turbo is not the brettiest of big cats or not even the fastest, but matches the Wolf car values with its slight hooligan attitude and as well it was even compared to M535i in time.

Source: Flickr/Rich007

Bimmer is almost overshadowed by the feline lines. Source: Flickr/azu250

Technically CX was a state of the art combining hydro-pneumatic integral self-leveling suspension, speed adjustable power steering and originally designed even for the rotary engine! Praised and astonished suspension that moderates bumpy roads, offers adventurous driving experience and enables car to sit on its belly has peen licensed for the Rolls-Royce. 

Daddy of the low riders! Source: motor-classic.de

Series 1 and 2 are easily recognized by the more aggressive plastic bumpers of the series 2. Basically Turbo models are similar to basic GTI models (138hp) and only notable difference is the added turbocharger without intercooler. GTI turbo stands for more high speed cruising than cornering that is supported with a comfortable and spacious interior. Some say that CX is the last real Citroen before Peugeot spoiled the thrilling brand :)

In details (1989 model):

Engine

Straight 4, 2500cc, 8-valve, Bosch LE/LU2-Jetronic fuel injection
compression ratio 7,75:1

Garrett ‘T03’ turbo
Numbers
168hp/5000rpm
294Nm/3250rpm
Top speed: 223km/h

0-100km/h: 7,8s

0-400m: 15,7s

0-1000m: 29s
1370kg
Transmission
5 speed manual, FWD
Chassis

Front: equal length wishbones, hydro-pneumatic self-leveling

Rear: trailing arms, hydro-pneumatic self-leveling

Ventilated disks/disks (260/224mm)

Aero 5,5x15” alloys with 210/50VR39TRX tires
Exterior
One piece front bumper with fog lights

Streamlined mirrors

Composite rear wheel aerodynamic covers

Rubber rear spoiler
Twin tip exhaust
Interior

Analogue dials (check above the grazy ones they had before!)

Special GTI/Turbo trim
 

Crazy dials of the first series. Source: Flickr/CitroenAZU