Citroen

In 1966 Citroen history was marked by one more important model construction as jointly with German NSU company Citroen issues model with Wankel engine. In 1965 Citroen merged into “Panhar Levassor” and in 1976 became a component part of Peugeot Concern preserving the rights of self-sufficient department with own automobile make brand. Citroen engineers significant contribution to automobile development in general was proved by the fact that in 1989 the Company introduced the third generation hydroactive suspension that was automatically adapting to road paving and driver’s style of car managing.

In 1992 November Citroen introduced Xantia – the model that was put into production in 1993 as Citroen BX model follower. The importance of Xantia in Citroen history was the design that substantially defined the posterior style of Citroen automobiles.

Debuted at the Geneva International Motor Show 1994 minivan Citroen Evasion came as the result of joint Peugeot/Citroen — Fiat/Lancia development.
In December 1995 Citroen unveiled another its model – Saxo compact. In summer 1996 Saxo 5-door version attached with hydro transmission and diesel appeared. In 1999 Citroen Saxo revised second generation was introduced to Frankfurt Motor Show featuring out new refined design.

1996 was marked in Citroen history by issuing Berlingo wagon for active use. Starting with 1999 Citroen Berlingo was manufactured with 1.8 gas or 1.9 D diesel engine also added by AWD feature.

In 1997 Citroen constructed Xsara family model that gained wide recognition. In 2000 Xsara was restyled essentially into new exterior and became the most popular model in Citroen range.

In 2000 as well Citroen Xsara Picasso appeared on automotive stage – one more company bestseller.

But the peak of Citroen model line-up came C5 model debuted at the Paris International Motor Show 2000. C5 was meant to replace Citroen Xantia.

2000 year was rich for events and new models in Citroen history. This fact was supported also by Citroen Pluriel Concept model issuing – multi-purpose scalable-adjustable automobile that didn’t belong to any known car classes.

Soon Citroen decided to consolidate its positions in the compact sedan class within the European car market and constructed Citroen C3 model in addition to revised Saxo.
In fact, among hundreds of car manufacturing companies offering thousands of various models and their versions Citroen has always held and holds deserving position. This is apparently the right idea what Andrea Citroen was wishing and dreaming of. In his turn it was he who set basics for French automobile industry.

Citroen, French automobile company dealing with manufacturing cars and forming “Peugeot” Corporation.
The Citroen history was commenced in 1919 by Andre Citroen as he founded “Societe anonyme Andre Citroen” aimed at producing inexpensive cars.

In fact, the first model in Citroen history became concurrently the first serially manufactured automobile model in Europe. The “A” model, also known as “10 PS 8/10” was powered by 4-cylinder inline 1327 cc displacement engine with 18 h/p at 2100 rev. Citroen 10 PS 8/10 model was featuring out its light-weight and managing easiness. Remarkably this first in Citroen history model had good soft suspension that subsequently became the brand mark of all the Citroen models.

The facts listed above generated an image of very simple and easy-to-handle car for Citroen automobiles that contributed to considerable make popularity.
The first model in Citroen history was followed by 5 CV one – 4-cylinder midget-car, no front brakes but with quarter-elliptic springs both in front and rear. This model was able to ride over country bad roads. The production methods Citroen borrowed from Henry Ford. In 1921 first Citroen taxi cars appeared and by 1933 90% of Paris operating taxi were Citroens.

In 1921 the A model was replaced by B2 one powered by 1452 cc that came with essential changes comparing to predecessor. In 1923 Citroen constructed a batch of sporty 300 B 2 Caddy – elegant 3-seater that gained great popularity and still causes big interest of automobile antiques enthusiasts.
In spring 1922 was launched manufacturing of 2-seater Roadster-C attached with 856 cc engine.

Due to vividly yellow coloration this model was caressingly called “lemonee”; in addition its cabriole version was manufactured as well.
Right by June, 1924 production Citroen output overpassed 250 automobiles per day while the main plant extended so that covered the whole territory of Paris 15th district. Besides, Citroen was introduced by its branches in Belgium, England, Netherlands, Denmark and Switzerland. One more fact In Citroen history features out this make in car history – Citroen was among the first in Europe to start applying steel bodies to automobile manufacturing instead of wooden ones.

Thereafter Citroen generated such models as B12 and B14 imparted with convenient dashboard and adjustable seats became the most comfortable serially manufactured cars. In fact within two years Citroen managed to issue 132 483 autos of B14 model. Soon inheriting B 14 model Citroen AC4 and AC6 models appeared meaning the initials of the manufacturer and the number of cylinders. In 1931 Citroen history was marked by C 6F based new Citroen CGL (Citroen Grand Luxe) upcoming with 2650 cc 53 h/p and premium high quality inner trim features.

In the times of famous Asia-round Run finishing in The Himalaya Citroen AC4 and AC6 proved their advantages. In 1932 Citroen issued C 4 IX model – simplified version of C 4 model with 30 h/p 1628 cc engine but this one didn’t attained wide popularity and general recognition.

At the Paris Auto Show in 1934 Citroen introduced its current models range – 8, 10, 15 models and lightened versions of the 10 and 15. In April, 1934 new 7 model was invented. Disproportionably big financial expenses for Great Depression times on promoting that subsequently successful model attached with scarce for its time front-driveline caused finally sweeping events in Citroen history so that Andre Citroen lost control over his company despite Citroen 7 model occurred popular and was sold till 1957. In fact, Citroen Company came under the control of Michelin Group.

That was the commence of front wheel drive automobiles history.
In 1955 DS model was introduced – the one not expensive, convenient, sizable gaining wide popularity.