Citroën BX: 35 years since the launch of an 80s icon unveiled at the Eiffel Tower

It marks 35 years since a historic moment for Citroën. On 16 September 1982, a wooden box suspended from the first floor of the Eiffel Tower began a slow descent towards the base of the monument. On the outside, only one message: “Here is the new Citroën”.

A week later, the mystery was revealed at the French monument itself: the Citroën BX was presented to the press amid a spectacle of lights and fireworks. This French model was a true revolution in its time, as well as a major commercial success: more than 2,300,000 units were registered worldwide. In addition, the Citroën BX contributed to the growth of the industry in our country, since the Citroën production plant located in Vigo produced a significant number of examples of this iconic model: 223,300 units between 1983 and 1992.

In 1982, the French manufacturer needed a model to replace the Citroën GSA. It sought a groundbreaking alternative in design that would connect with consumers’ needs and tastes while maintaining the brand’s identity: performance, comfort and excellent road dynamics.

In this context, the Citroen BX arrived on the market like a breath of fresh air for the French brand. The four-door saloon immediately caught attention for its straight, angular lines, the result of a futuristic and dynamic design created by Bertone designer Marcello Gandini, author of several legendary Italian sports cars of the 1970s. The futuristic styling of the Citroen BX was carried forward into the 1990s with the brand’s subsequent launches: the Citroën AX, ZX and XM.

The Citroën BX stood out for the excellent comfort and road behaviour provided by its hydropneumatic suspension. The most performance-oriented version of this model, the BX GTi 16 V, was a real revelation. This variant offered a power output of 160 CV and was capable of reaching 220 km/h.