Cars with a “double chevron” on the emblem are remembered all over the world not only for their extravagant design, but also for the technologies that largely determined the direction of the automotive industry.
Citroen has been making cars for over 100 years.
Few people know that the first car left the gates of the Parisian factory of Andre Citroen back in 1919. Then the Citroen Type A made a splash not only with attractive prices: it was equipped with an electric engine starter and electric headlights, without which no car is now unthinkable. The Citroen Type A also had a new suspension system with inverted elliptical leaf springs that significantly improved ride comfort.
Source: Citroën
The Type A established Citroen’s brand values - since then, all cars with a double chevron on the emblem (in fact, this image came from gears with teeth in the form of an inverted V) have been distinguished by outstanding comfort, safety and innovative technologies.
Andre Citroen was a very creative entrepreneur, as if he knew that the slogan of his company many decades later would be the phrase Creative Technologie. In 1925, he used the Eiffel Tower as a billboard! The Citroen inscription shone with hundreds of thousands of lamps and got into the Guinness Book of Records as the largest advertising structure. In addition, its bright light became a landmark for Charles Lindbergh, the first aviator to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean in 1927.
Driver and Passenger Comfort is Citroen’s Priority
After the release of Type A, Andre Citroën thought that car travel should reach a new level of comfort and be pleasant for both the driver and passengers. The Type C model of 1922 was equipped with soft seats, and the car itself was easy enough to drive, so women were increasingly driving.
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The current Citroen C3 Aircross and C5 Aircross models are created within the framework of the Citroen Advanced Comfort concept: they are among the most comfortable in the crossover segment. The front seats are designed in such a way as to provide the most comfortable fit and at the same time keep the driver in corners. And the C5 Aircross additionally boasts three separate rear seats that have independent adjustments.
On this, Citroen’s talent did not dry out – another brilliant idea came to the head of the creator of the brand that it is easier to sell cars when buyers see them alive, and not on an advertising poster. And he made a glass showcase in a store on the Champs Elysees. We can say that it was the first showroom! Then Andre Citroen came up with the idea of offering loans for purchases.
High-quality soft materials, decorative lighting with a choice of colors and a panoramic glass roof create a calming atmosphere inside the car, while excellent noise isolation and the AQS air purification system turn long-distance trips from a tiring exercise into an exciting journey.
Citroen 7CV Traction Avant – the car that turned the world of automotive
It is now no surprise to anyone with a load-bearing metal body, independent suspension and front-wheel drive transmission, which have become a paradigm in the design of the vast majority of cars in the world. And all this was already in the car, which was born in 1934!
The innovative design has kept the 7CV Traction Avant on the Citroen factory line for more than 20 years. Thanks to its excellent handling, it was even called the “Queen of the Roads”. So the modern C3 Aircross and C5 Aircross crossovers give the driver confidence even in difficult road and weather conditions thanks to the latest technologies – the proprietary Grip Control system actually eliminates the need for an all-wheel drive transmission.
Citroen’s advertising moves in those days really surprised the public. Before the opening of the 7th Paris Motor Show, the sky of the capital was decorated with the inscription Citroen, which was made by the smoke of an airplane. André Citroën also began to produce scale copies (models) of his cars, which were a great success with children.
Grip Control makes the most of engine torque by flexibly transferring it to whichever front wheel has the best grip. Under standard conditions, the electronics do this automatically, but the driver can independently choose one of several algorithms – “Snow”, “Mud”, “Sand”, as well as completely turn off the traction control system if it is necessary to drive through a clay area or get out of a snowdrift.
The highest safety is at the roots of Citroen cars
The monocoque metal body, which Citroen introduced with the 7CV Traction Avant, provided not only high torsional rigidity, which radically improved handling and reduced noise and vibration from the road and engine. The most important advantage is a completely different level of passive safety.
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In addition to a solid body and a full set of airbags, modern Citroen crossovers have a set of driver assistance systems. Electronics warn of the presence of interference in the dead zone or an accidental departure from its lane, a special camera reads traffic signs, and in the event of a collision, the car will brake on its own until it comes to a complete stop.
Source: Citroën
The luxurious and extravagant Citroen C6 was the first car in the history of the brand with a projection screen, and now this technology is not only in Citroen crossovers, but also in SpaceTourer minibuses. It allows you to be less distracted from the road. On long journeys or city traffic jams, you can trust the adaptive cruise control, which automatically maintains a distance from the car in front. In addition, Citroen keeps track of how tired the driver is and gives audible and visual warnings if he needs to rest.
Ride has been Citroen’s forte for over 60 years
Citroen made another sensation at the Paris Motor Show in 1955, where they introduced the DS 19 model. And it was not only a fantastic design and a revolutionary aerodynamic body – a unique hydropneumatic suspension was hidden under it, which brought smoothness to a level unattainable before.
Hydropneumatic suspension has been a hallmark of Citroen’s flagship models for many years, and the vast experience of engineers in this area has led to the emergence of modern technologies in crossovers. The Citroen C5 Aircross is equipped with Progressive Hydraulic Cushions, which use hydraulic travel stops instead of traditional rubber or polyurethane dampers. They eliminate hard hits at the end of the compression or rebound stroke, giving the C5 Aircross an impressive amount of energy and a smooth ride, even on rough roads.
Source: Citroën
Practical and functional interior – in the DNA of Citroen
Back in the B2 Type model of 1923, Citroen offered its owners two cabin configurations: one meant more luggage space, the second more seats. It was the first attempt to create a modular interior concept. Now any modern Citroen car – especially in the minibus segment – offers many options for using space.
Even the compact crossover Citroen C3 Aircross has a rear sofa with longitudinal adjustment and a reclining backrest, allowing you to choose between passenger comfort or additional luggage space. The Citroen Berlingo compact van allows you to independently move 3 separate rear seats. What can we say about Citroen SpaceTourer minibuses, where there are dozens of transformation options!
Demonstrating product capabilities is an important sales factor. In 1922, Citroen organized an expedition to Africa – five cars crossed the Sahara Desert, and he invited scientists and journalists on a trip. The project created a sensation, so later runs in Asia and North America followed.
In addition, modern Citroen cars offer many convenient compartments for storing small items in the cabin. And Citroen began experimenting and increasing the number of pockets, niches and drawers more than 40 years ago, when it introduced the Karin concept car in 1980, which had retractable compartments in the doors.
Ergonomic innovations and advanced technologies – what makes Citroen different?
Citroen was a pioneer in the implementation of many solutions that are now used by absolutely all automakers. The front panel familiar to us, smoothly connecting the instrument panel, center console and as if flowing into the door cards, appeared back in 1982 in the Citroen CX model.
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One of the most striking elements of the Citroen CX was the ‘flying saucer’ shaped instrument panel – dubbed the Lunule – that arranged the controls into a semi-circle behind the steering wheel. This solution represented a new benchmark in functional comfort. Introduced in 1985, the Citroen BX Digit was the first ever car to feature a digital front panel and display.
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The screen instead of the usual instrument panel in modern Citroen cars allows you to display only the most necessary information on it. Connected touchscreen controls offer modern smartphone-like functionality and keep occupants connected to the outside world by seamlessly integrating phones with MirrorLink displays, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.