The Escudería
El Citroen AX It was born as a result of reflection on the future of mobility and the search for solutions that would reduce fuel consumption to a minimum. A concern that arose after the oil crisis of 1979 and in a context in which the price of a barrel rose 270%. Citroën engineers got down to business. All the factors that could contribute to spending less, maintaining the same benefits or even improving them were studied. From weight to aerodynamics to engine performance, no loose ends were left.
The result of these works was the concept car Citroen ECO 2000, presented at the 1984 Paris Motor Show. It marked a before and after, with a consumption of 2 l / 100 km at a constant speed of 90 km / h, a maximum speed of 140 km / h and a weight that did not reach the average ton. Now, it was time to transfer these findings to a vehicle designed to be commercialized on a large scale.
After several years of research, the Citroen AX it was revealed to the general public at the next edition of the Paris Motor Show, that of 1986. The brand was committed to a groundbreaking aesthetic, record aerodynamics, with a Cx of 0,31, and weights of between 640 Kg and 695 Kg to conquer the segment of city cars.
As an added challenge, it had to replace a model that had the virtue of surviving many of its successors: the 2 CV. The optimization of the interior space, with a 273-liter boot despite its compact dimensions, comfort at the best levels of the brand and low maintenance costs were other great strengths.
At Citroen AX, everything was new: from the underside of the vehicle to the engines, with the premiere of the 4-cylinder TU petrol mechanics, which marked an era for their reliability and performance. The innovative vocation of this model and its obsession with achieving minimum consumption led it to be a pioneer in the development of the electric vehicle, with the commercialization of versions with a nickel-cadmium battery in 1993.
Citroën CX, Spanish at 33%
This commitment to technical and aesthetic innovation fully conquered the general public. Between 1986 and 1998, 2.425.138 units of the AX were manufactured, which was also a vehicle "Made in Spain", with 812.951 vehicles manufactured in Vigo, a third of total production.
In Spain, Citroen AX it was a success. Thanks to him, the brand went from a market share of 5,2% in 1986 to 7,6% in 1988. Furthermore, the decision to launch versions with high-end engines and finishes helped improve Citroën's image. in our country, where it was "Car of the Year" in 1988. Achievements that left the way open for the brand to lead registrations during several years in the 2000s.
Sportsman, diplomat and great: the thousand faces of the Citroën AX
If there is one terrain where the qualities of the AX are still highly appreciated, it is sports. In 1987, a year after its commercial launch, the most “racing” version of this model reached the points of sale: the Citroen AX Sport. Putting a 95 hp mechanic on a vehicle weighing only 720 kg resulted in it being capable of achieving a top speed of 186 km / h. It was the basis for promotional formulas in various European countries. Currently, it is still a highly sought-after model in the world of rallying, both for its performance and for its reliability and robustness.
This sporting vocation is fully compatible with a predisposition towards adventure and a diplomatic ability that few could suspect. The Citroen AX knew how to perfectly combine these ingredients, worthy of an action movie or political intrigue, in the Dragon operation. In 1988, 140 young people from various European countries, mounted on red Citroën AXs, traveled 4.500 kilometers through Chinese lands, in a country that was beginning to open up to the rest of the world. Much of the route, which linked Shenzhen to Beijing, crossed cities and towns hitherto off-limits to Westerners.
This attraction to the East was reflected in the launch campaign for this model, designed by Jacques Seguela. The great advertising guru took the Citroën AX to the Great Wall of China. The image that remained in the retinas was that of the Chinese boy making the victory sign coinciding with the slogan "Brilliant". A true eighties icon.
