Citroën BX
Citroën BX | ||
---|---|---|
Kerb weight 870 kg (1,918 lb) - 1,220 kg (2,690 lb) | | |
Chronology | ||
Predecessor | Citroën GS Simca 1307 | |
Successor | Citroën Xantia |
The Citroën BX is a
History
The Citroën BX was announced in June 1982,
The angular
The BX was launched onto the right-hand drive UK market in August 1983, initially only with 1.4 and 1.6 petrol engines, although by 1986 it had been joined by more engine options as well as a five-door estate model. The BX enjoyed a four-year run as the UK's best selling diesel engine car from 1987, and was one of the most popular foreign-built cars there during the second half of the 1980s. However, just 485 examples were remaining on Britain's roads by February 2016.[6]
The BX dispensed with the air cooled, flat four engine which powered the GS, and replaced it with the new PSA group XY, TU and XU series of
The petrol engines were badged as 11, 14, 16, 19 — signifying engine size (with the exception of the 17 diesel model, which was actually a 1769 cc, 1.8-liter unit). In some countries, a weaker, 80 hp (59 kW) DIN version of the 1.6 L engine was badged as the BX15 instead of BX16. The 11TE model was seen by foreign motoring press as slow and uncomfortable.[citation needed] The 1.1 L engine with engine code H1A was installed in the BX for the Italian, Greek, and Portuguese markets specifically. It was fitted from 1988 to 1993 and produces 55 hp (40 kW) DIN at 5800 rpm.
A year after the launch of the hatchback model, an
In 1986 the MK2 BX was launched. The interior and dashboard was redesigned to be more conventional-looking than the original, which used Citroën's idiosyncratic "satellite" switchgear, and "bathroom scale" speedometer. These were replaced with more conventional stalks for light and wipers and analogue instruments. The earlier GT (and Sport) models already had a "normal" speedometer and tachometer.[10] The exterior was also slightly updated, with new more rounded bumpers, flared wheelarches to accept wider tyres, new and improved mirrors and the front indicators replaced with larger clear ones which fitted flush with the headlights. The elderly Douvrin engine was replaced by the newer TU-series engine on the 1.4 litre models, although it continued to be installed in the tiny BX11 until 1992.
1988 saw the launch of the BX Turbo Diesel, which was praised by the motoring press. The BX diesel was already a strong seller, but the Turbo model brought new levels of refinement and performance to the diesel market, which brought an end to the common notion that diesel cars were slow and noisy. Diesel Car magazine said of the BX "We can think of no other car currently on sale in the UK that comes anywhere near approaching the BX Turbo's combination of performance, accommodation and economy".[11]
In 1989, the BX range had further minor revisions and specification improvements made to it, including smoked rear lamp units, new wheel trims and interior fabrics.
Winning many Towcar of the Year awards, the BX was renowned as a tow car (as was its larger sister, the CX), especially the diesel models, due to their power and economy combined with the self levelling suspension.[12]
The biggest problem of the BX was its variable build quality, compared to its competition. In 1983, one quarter of the production needed "touchups" before they could be shipped.[13] Later models were better built, but the reputation had been tarnished. It had been partially replaced by the smaller ZX in early 1991, but its key replacement was the slightly larger Xantia that went on sale at the beginning of 1993, when the BX hatchback was discontinued, although the estate models lasted into the following year, when the estate version of the Xantia was launched.
Performance models
Sport
As well as the normal BX, Citroën produced the BX Sport from 1985 to 1987. During this period, Citroën produced 7,500 BX Sports; 2,500 in the first series, then an extra 5,000 due to its sales success. Rated at 126 PS (93 kW) at 5800 rpm and equipped with dual twin-barrel carburettors, the BX Sport was the most powerful BX in production at that time. The engine modifications, including a reshaped combustion chamber and larger valves, were developed by famous French tuner Danielson.[10] It also stood out with its unique body kit, alloy wheels later also used on the GTi, a unique dashboard and Pullman interior. The seat fabric was the same as that used on the CX Turbo at the time. The body kit included a rear wing, side skirts, and fender extensions that added 10 cm to each side of the car in order to accommodate the larger wheels. The car was only available in LHD and was not sold in the United Kingdom. Period road tests complimented the ride quality (as usual with Citroëns) but complained that the driving characteristics were not all that sporty as a result, even though the suspension had also been modified.[10]
GT
The BX GT was launched in 1985 and featured a 1.9 L Peugeot-sourced engine, in general a Sport engine with only one twin choke carburettor. Max power is 105 PS (77 kW). That same year, Citroën produced a "Digit" model, which was based on the BX GT. It featured a digital instrument cluster and an onboard computer. Citroën only produced 4,000 BX Digits in 1985.[14]
4TC
Citroën entered
The 4TC was not successful in
Already discouraged by the car's poor performance in motorsport and the demise of Group B, Citroën was only able to sell 62 roadgoing 4TCs; build quality and reliability problems led Citroën to buy back many of these 4TCs for salvage and destruction.[17] With only a fraction of the original 200 examples remaining, the 4TC is now highly sought after. While a few privateers continued to campaign the BX 4TC Evolution in the French rallycross championships, Citroën pressured them to stop and by 1989 the competition history of the BX 4TC came to a final end.[16]
GTi
An uprated version of the BX GT, the BX19 GTi was fitted with a 1.9 L eight-valve fuel injected engine producing 122 PS (90 kW) (this engine also fitted to the Peugeot 405 SRi, and being very similar to the engine also fitted to the 205 GTi, however the BX19 GTi and Peugeot 405 SRi used a different inlet manifold and cylinder head to the Peugeot 205 GTi), a spoiler and firmer suspension spheres/anti-roll bar than the standard model; it could reach 198 km/h.[18] There was also a special export model, the BX16 GTi, using the 113 PS (83 kW) XU5JA engine from the Peugeot 205 GTi 1.6. Top speed is 194 km/h (121 mph).[19]
16V
In May 1987, a 16-valve version of the GTi was launched. This was the first mass-produced French car to be fitted with a 16-valve engine. A
The BX 16V was found to be faster around a race-track than the "in house" competitor Peugeot 405 Mi16 in a test in the Swedish motoring magazine Teknikens Värld. Also in Sweden, young driver Magnus Gustafsson competed successfully in rally with a group A tuned BX 16V. The engine produced 215 PS (158 kW) and Gustafsson was second in the Swedish International Rally 1993 in the A7 category.
Engines
Citroën BX Petrol (gasoline) engines[21] | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Model | Engine family/type | Engine capacity cc |
Max. Power | Max. Torque | Fuel feed | Catalytic converter | 0–100 km/h (0-62 mph) | Top speed | Years |
BX 11 | PSA-Renault XW3 | 1124 | 43 kW (58 PS; 58 hp) at 6250 rpm | 79 N⋅m (58 lb⋅ft) at 2750 rpm | 1 chamber carb |
No | 17.3 s | 150 km/h (93 mph) |
1986–1988 |
BX 11 | PSA TU1/K | 40 kW (55 PS; 54 hp) at 5800 rpm | 89 N⋅m (66 lb⋅ft) at 3200 rpm | 1 chamber carb |
No | 16.3 s | 154 km/h (96 mph) |
1988–1991 | |
BX 14 | PSA-Renault XY7 | 1360 | 46 kW (63 PS; 62 hp) at 5500 rpm | 108 N⋅m (80 lb⋅ft) at 2500 rpm | 1 chamber carb |
No | 14.1 s | 162 km/h (101 mph) |
1982–1986 |
BX 14 | PSA-Renault XY7 | 40 kW (55 PS; 54 hp) at 5000 rpm | 103 N⋅m (76 lb⋅ft) at 2500 rpm | 1 chamber carb |
Yes | 18.5 s | 154 km/h (96 mph) |
1986–1989 | |
BX 14 | PSA-Renault XY6B | 53 kW (72 PS; 71 hp) at 5750 rpm | 108 N⋅m (80 lb⋅ft) at 3000 rpm | 2 chamber carb |
No | 13.5 s | 163 km/h (101 mph) |
1982–1989 | |
BX 14 | PSA TU3 A/K | 53 kW (72 PS; 71 hp) at 5600 rpm | 111 N⋅m (82 lb⋅ft) at 3400 rpm | Carburettor |
No | 14.9 s | 167 km/h (104 mph) |
1989–1992 | |
BX 14 | PSA TU3 | 55 kW (75 PS; 74 hp) at 6200 rpm | 109 N⋅m (80 lb⋅ft) at 4000 rpm | Fuel injection | Yes | 13.3 s | 170 km/h (106 mph) |
1989–1994 | |
BX 15 | PSA XU5 1C | 1580 | 59 kW (80 PS; 79 hp) at 5600 rpm | 132 N⋅m (97 lb⋅ft) at 2800 rpm | 1 chamber carb |
No | 12.6 s | 170 km/h (106 mph) |
1986–1992 |
BX 15 | PSA XU5 1C(?) | 1580 | 53 kW (72 PS; 71 hp) at 5600 rpm | 111 N⋅m (82 lb⋅ft) at 3400 rpm | Carburettor |
Yes | 14.1 s | 165 km/h (103 mph) |
1988–1990 |
BX 16 | PSA XU5 2C | 1580 | 66 kW (90 PS; 89 hp) at 6000 rpm | 128 N⋅m (94 lb⋅ft) at 3500 rpm | 2 chamber carb |
No | 11.5 s | 176 km/h (109 mph) |
1982–1983 |
BX 16 | PSA XU5 2C | 1580 | 68 kW (92 PS; 91 hp) at 6000 rpm | 131 N⋅m (97 lb⋅ft) at 3500 rpm | No | 11.3 s | 176 km/h (109 mph) |
1983–1984 | |
BX 16 | PSA XU5 2C | 1580 | 69 kW (94 PS; 93 hp) at 6000 rpm | 137 N⋅m (101 lb⋅ft) at 3250 rpm | No | 11.3 s | 176 km/h (109 mph) |
1984–1992 | |
BX 16 | PSA XU5 | 1580 | 55 kW (75 PS; 74 hp) at 5600 rpm | 120 N⋅m (89 lb⋅ft) at 3500 rpm | Carburettor |
Yes | 14.9 s | 167 km/h 104 mph) |
1986–1988 |
BX 16 TGI | PSA XU5 M3/Z | 1580 | 65 kW (88 PS; 87 hp) at 6000 rpm | 128 N⋅m (94 lb⋅ft) at 3000 rpm | Fuel injection | Yes | 12.6 s | 174 km/h (108 mph) |
1989–1994 |
BX 16 | PSA XU5 J (180A) | 1580 | 77 kW (105 PS; 104 hp) at 6250 rpm | 134 N⋅m (99 lb⋅ft) at 4000 rpm | Bosch Jetronic Fuel injection | No | 11.0 s | 185 km/h (115 mph) |
1986–1990 |
BX 16 | PSA XU5 JA (B6D) | 1580 | 83 kW (111 hp; 113 PS) at 6250 rpm | 131 N⋅m (97 lb⋅ft) at 3000 rpm | Bosch Jetronic Fuel injection | No | 10.2 s | 194 km/h (121 mph) |
1988–1992 |
BX 19 | PSA XU9 S | 1905 | 77 kW (105 PS; 104 hp) at 5600 rpm | 162 N⋅m (119 lb⋅ft) at 3000 rpm | 2 chamber carb |
No | 10.0 s | 185 km/h (115 mph) |
1984–1989 |
BX 19 | PSA XU9 J1/Z | 1905 | 77 kW (105 PS; 104 hp) at 6000 rpm | 141 N⋅m (104 lb⋅ft) at 3000 rpm | Fuel injection | Yes | 14.1 s | 180 km/h (112 mph) |
1986–1989 |
BX 19 | PSA XU9 2C | 1905 | 79 kW (107 PS; 106 hp) at 6000 rpm | 163 N⋅m (120 lb⋅ft) at 3500 rpm | 2 chamber carb |
No | 10.7 s | 187 km/h (116 mph) |
1989–1992 |
BX 19 | PSA XU9M | 1905 | 80 kW (109 PS; 108 hp) at 6000 rpm | 162 N⋅m (119 lb⋅ft) at 3000 rpm | Fuel injection | Yes | 10.9 s | 189 km/h (117 mph) |
1989–1993 |
BX 19 | PSA XU9 J2 (D6D) | 1905 | 90 kW (122 PS; 120 hp) at 5500 rpm | 169 N⋅m (125 lb⋅ft) at 2750 rpm | Fuel injection | No | 9.1 s | 192 km/h (119 mph) |
1990–1994 |
BX 19 | PSA XU9 J2 (D6A) | 1905 | 88 kW (120 PS; 118 hp) at 6000 rpm | 150 N⋅m (111 lb⋅ft) at 3000 rpm | Fuel injection | Yes | 10.9 s | 189 km/h (117 mph) |
1990–1994 |
BX Sport | PSA XU9 4C | 1905 | 93 kW (126 PS; 125 hp) at 5800 rpm | 169 N⋅m (125 lb⋅ft) at 4200 rpm | 2 x 2 chamber carbs |
No | 8.9 s | 195 km/h (121 mph) |
1985–1986 |
BX 19 GTi | PSA XU9 J2 | 1905 | 92 kW (125 PS; 123 hp) at 5500 rpm | 175 N⋅m (129 lb⋅ft) at 4500 rpm | Bosch Jetronic Fuel injection | No | 8.5 s | 198 km/h (123 mph) |
1986–1990 |
BX 19 GTi/TZi | PSA XU9 JAZ | 1905 | 90 kW (123 PS; 121 hp) at 5500 rpm | 169 N⋅m (125 lb⋅ft) at 2750 rpm | Bosch Motronic Fuel injection | No | 8.9 s | 198 km/h (123 mph) |
1990–1994 |
BX 19 | PSA XU9 JAZ | 1905 | 88 kW (120 PS; 118 hp) at 6000 rpm | 150 N⋅m (111 lb⋅ft) at 3000 rpm | Bosch Motronic Fuel injection | Yes | 10.9 s | 196 km/h (122 mph) |
1990–1993 |
BX 19 | PSA XU9 J4 / D6C (MI16) | 1905 | 118 kW (160 PS; 158 hp) at 6500 rpm | 181 N⋅m (133 lb⋅ft) at 5000 rpm | Bosch Motronic Fuel injection | No | 8.6 s | 220 km/h (137 mph) |
1987–1992 |
BX 19 | PSA XU9 J4/Z / DFW (MI16) | 1905 | 108 kW (147 PS; 145 hp) at 6400 rpm | 166 N⋅m (122 lb⋅ft) at 5000 rpm | Bosch Motronic Fuel injection | Yes | 9.6 s | 215 km/h (134 mph) |
1988–1993 |
BX 4TC | (Group B rally special) | 2141 turbocharged |
147 kW (200 PS; 197 hp) at 5250 rpm | 294 N⋅m (217 lb⋅ft) at 2750 rpm | Bosch K-Jetronic Fuel injection | No | 7.5 s | 220 km/h (137 mph) |
1985 |
Citroën BX Diesel engines | |||||||||
Model | Engine family/type | Engine capacity cc |
Max. Power | Max. Torque | Fuel feed | Catalytic converter | 0–100 km/h (0-62 mph) | Top speed | Year |
BX 17 D | PSA XUD7/K |
1769 | 44 kW (60 PS; 59 hp) at 4600 rpm | 110 N⋅m (81 lb⋅ft) at 2000 rpm | Swirl chamber | No | 17.2 s | 155 km/h (96 mph) |
1985–1992 |
BX 17 D Turbo |
PSA XUD7 TE |
1769 | 66 kW (90 PS; 89 hp) at 4300 rpm | 180 N⋅m (133 lb⋅ft) at 2000 rpm | Swirl chamber | No | 10.8 s | 180 km/h (112 mph) |
1988–1992 |
BX 17 D Turbo | PSA XUD7 TE |
1769 | 66 kW (90 PS; 89 hp) at 4300 rpm | 180 N⋅m (133 lb⋅ft) at 2100 rpm | Swirl chamber | Yes | 11.0 s | 180 km/h (112 mph) |
1992–1994 |
BX 19 D | PSA XUD9 |
1905 | 48 kW (65 PS; 64 hp) at 4600 rpm | 120 N⋅m (89 lb⋅ft) at 2000 rpm | Swirl chamber | No | 15.5 s | 157 km/h (98 mph) |
1983–1987 |
BX 19 D | PSA XUD9 A |
1905 | 52 kW (71 PS; 70 hp) at 4600 rpm | 123 N⋅m (91 lb⋅ft) at 2000 rpm | Swirl chamber | No | 16.3 s | 165 km/h (103 mph) |
1987–1992 |
BX Van
A version of the BX with an extended fiberglass roof and no rear seat called the BX Van was produced in Finland. At the time vans had to pay a smaller registration tax than passenger cars so people wanted to be able to register the BX as a van. The regular BX estate couldn't be registered as a van in Finland because Finnish law required vans to have a cargo space at least 130 centimeters high and 2.5m3 in cargo volume, lengthwise measured awkwardly from inner boot lid to the bottom of steering wheel. The higher roof was achieved by cutting off the original steel roof and replacing it with a large box made of fiberglass. The BX Van was quite popular and over 2000 of them were sold.[22]
A different van version was marketed in Ireland.[23] This was directly based upon the shape of the estate but with rear doors and windows removed.
See also
References
- ^ "Dossier le secteur automobile marocain" (pdf). Al Wassit Magazine (in French). May–June 1998.
- ^ "Dates" (Paris: Automobiles Citroën Corporate Communications Division, 1999), p.76.
- ^ Pirotte, Marcel (1984-07-05). "Gedetailleerde Test: Citroën BX19 TRD" [Detailed Test]. De AutoGids (in Dutch). 5 (125). Brussels, Belgium: Uitgeverij Auto-Magazine: 14.
- ^ a b c d Bellu, René (2006). "Automobilia". Toutes les voitures françaises 1982 (Salon [Oct] 1981). 80s. Paris: Histoire & collections: 16.
- ^ "Citroen BX". Histomobile.com. 1982-10-02. Archived from the original on 2012-03-20. Retrieved 2011-08-07.
- ^ Braithwaite-Smith, Gavin (2016-09-26). "100 popular cars vanishing from our roads". msn.com Motoring Research.
- ^ Pirotte, p. 7
- ^ "Lot 151: Xantia Break Phase 2", Vente des réserves de l'Aventure Peugeot Citroën DS (Auction Catalogue) (in French), Leclere Maison des Ventes, 2017-12-10, p. 170, archived from the original on 2017-11-26
- ^ Pirotte, p. 15
- ^ a b c Bernardet, Alain (April 1985). "Place au sport?" [Room for sport?]. Echappement (in French) (198). Paris, France: Michael Hommell: 80–81.
- ^ Diesel Car, Future Publishing Limited, August–September 1998, p. 22
- ^ Diesel Car, p. 96
- ^ Rombauts, Walter (1983-11-24). "Citroën BX 19 D: Een tweede Citroën die dieselt" [The second Citroën to diesel]. De AutoGids (in Dutch). 4 (109). Brussels, Belgium: Uitgeverij Auto-Magazine: 119.
- ^ "Dates" (Paris: Automobiles Citroën Corporate Communications Division, 1999), p.78.
- ^ a b Pierre, Jean-François. "BX 4TC Story". CITF.nl. Archived from the original on 2008-07-15. Retrieved 2012-04-03.
- ^ a b c Morgan Jones, Martyn (September 2009). "Rallying's Cyrano de Bergerac". Motor Sport. Archived from the original on 2021-01-18.
- ^ "The BX 4TC". home.planet.nl.
- ^ Mastrostefano, Raffaele, ed. (1990). Quattroruote: Tutte le Auto del Mondo 1990 (in Italian). Milano: Editoriale Domus S.p.A. pp. 144–145.
- ^ Tutte le Auto del Mondo 1990, p. 143
- ^ "Citroën BX: The Range" (PDF). Citroën U.K. Ltd. 1991.
- ^ "Le guide des moteurs Peugeot-Citroën - Autoweb France". Autoweb-France.com.
- ^ Sukava, Jarmo (2010-04-15). "Autoverottajan ja veronmaksajien kilpajuoksu" [The race between the tax man and the taxpayers]. Tekniikan Maailma (in Finnish). Otavamedia. Archived from the original on 2017-12-03.
- ^ "1995 Citroen BX Van, Ross.K, flickr". 2019-02-21.
- "1989 Citroën BX 16V full range specs". www.automobile-catalog.com.