Citroen

[Condraz23]

Citroen used to be a much more interesting company than it is today. Today, modern Citroen cars are bland, conservative, boring, small, ugly, and generic. Their entire lineup consists of "budget" vehicles with poor quality and no imagination whatsoever. However, back in the mid 1900's, Citroen was famed for its unconventional, innovative, unique, and revolutionary approach to car styling and technology. Citroen was considered by many people to be at the forefront of automotive technology. Citroen had invented quite a few innovations for cars, including hydropneumatic suspension, rotating headlamps, and the ubiquitous front-wheel drive layout which is used in most modern cars produced today.

Significant models include...

1934 Citroen Traction Avant
1948 Citroen 2CV
1955 Citroen DS
1970 Citroen SM
1970 Citroen GS
1974 Citroen CX
1982 Citroen BX

In the early 1970's, the company declared bankruptcy because they had invested so much money on developing the successor to the Citroen DS. How do you top one of the best and most advanced cars of the world? In 1974, PSA took over the controls of Citroen.

PSA gradually eliminated Citroen's ambitious attitude to engineering and styling in an effort to rebrand the marque as an economy brand. The old spirit and philosophy of the revolutionary marque had disappeared. By the late 1980s, many of the distinctive features of the marque had also receded, the Citroen AX GT, for example was noted by contemporary journalists for its poor ride quality, an unusual attribute for the brand. This trend has continued through to today, modern Citroen cars are bland, conservative, boring, small, ugly, and generic.

 

[Famine]

Citroen used to be a much more interesting company than it is today. Today, modern Citroen cars are bland, conservative, boring, small, ugly, and generic. Their entire lineup consists of "budget" vehicles with poor quality and no imagination whatsoever. However, back in the mid 1900's, Citroen was famed for its unconventional, innovative, unique, and revolutionary approach to car styling and technology. Citroen was considered by many people to be at the forefront of automotive technology. Citroen had invented quite a few innovations for cars, including hydropneumatic suspension and the ubiquitous front-wheel drive layout which is used in most modern cars produced today.

Significant models include...

1934 Citroen Traction Avant
1948 Citroen 2CV
1955 Citroen DS
1970 Citroen SM
1970 Citroen GS
1974 Citroen CX
1982 Citroen BX

In the early 1970's, the company declared bankruptcy because they had invested so much money on developing the successor to the Citroen DS. How do you top one of the best and most advanced cars of the world? In 1974, PSA took over the controls of Citroen.

PSA gradually eliminated Citroen's ambitious attitude to engineering and styling in an effort to rebrand the marque as an economy brand. The old spirit and philosophy of the revolutionary marque had disappeared. By the late 1980s, many of the distinctive features of the marque had also receded, the Citroen AX GT, for example was noted by contemporary journalists for its poor ride quality, an unusual attribute for the brand. This trend has continued through to today, modern Citroen cars are bland, conservative, boring, small, ugly, and generic.

Do you have a point here? Are we to discuss the things you've raised?

As for "bland", "conservative", "boring" and "generic", have you seen Citroen's current range? The C2, C4 and C6 are none of those things - the C6 on quite a spectacular level. Though the C2 is small and ugly - but that didn't stop Chevrolet copying it wholesale for the Beat concept car.

 

[livemusic]

I don't really like any Citroen cars, but they surely don't make conservative and generic cars.

 

[TopHat]

But they really aren't all that conservative at all by todays standards!

But they could be considered that when you look at the older models.... The GS, the SM were really outrageous. The DS on the otherhand, was damn good looking.


Then you look at the ZX, or the Saxo..... boooorrrrinnnnggggg. I would rather drive a 2CV.

 

[jammyozzy]

Though the C2 is small and ugly - but that didn't stop Chevrolet copying it wholesale for the Beat concept car.

C2? Surely you mean the C3 sir?

Perhaps if their naming scheme wasn't so bland, conservative and boring...

In Citroën's defence however, their designs do seem to be improving recently. I love the C4 coupé, although the curvy rear of the hatchback looks terrible. The C2, while not the best looking car ever, is certainly an improvement over the Saxo and the C4 Picasso is a huge improvement over the Xsara Picasso.

Plus, as he pointed out, the C6 is nowhere near being bland, conservative, boring, small, ugly, or generic. It's roomy, comfortable, technologically advanced and quirky, the way big Citroen's should be.

*Edit*

Ah, I see what you mean about the Beat concept car now. Still, the C3 is horrendous compared to the C2.

 

[YSSMAN]

...Call me crazy, but this American wants a C4 badddd...

I have yet to come across a car with that many odd little details that come together and create an outstandingly 'funky' car. The looks, at least from what I have seen, are good both inside and out, and I understand the drive is moderately good as well...

But we don't have French cars in America, so I suppose I can't comment with any 'official' opinion whatsoever. Although, if we (my family) are going to Europe next year (the trip planned for this summer has been pushed-back due to a trip to Miami), I plan on visiting a Citroen dealer to have a look...

 

[TopHat]

I've noticed this before.... Why does the end of the Citroen website have en-US on it?

EDIT: Citroen could definetly sell the C4, the C5, the C6, the C3 Pluriel (to be "different"), and the C8. Sounds like a decent line up!

 

[jammyozzy]

It depends on which Citroen website you're talking about. I think the English version of citroen.com uses US English because it's probably more common, and so more widely recognised, on the Internet.

 

[TopHat]

I wonder if they'll ever sell them here again.... If they do that means Peugot would come too I'd imagine.

 

[ExigeEvan]

What?

Citroen certainly aren't making ground breaking cars but their range isn't bad. The styling is quite good (Not as "futuristic" as the new civic, but the C4 looks good) and the C6 is renowned for it's ride quality.

And your comments on the Citroen AX GT are rediculous. The AX had one of the best drag coefficients around and was a great little car to chuck around (My mates dad who changes cars like he changes his underwear said it was a great little car) and also has been praised by James May of Topgear. So what if it had a bad ride!

And how exactly does someone from New Zealend form such an opinion anyway? Are citroens reported that much in the press?

 

[daan]

Today, modern Citroen cars are bland, conservative, boring, small, ugly, and generic. Their entire lineup consists of "budget" vehicles with poor quality and no imagination whatsoever.

I'll see your argument, and I'll raise you...

The C6 blasts right through your argument.

And the C4, isn't bland or boring either.

 

[TopHat]

I want a C6 really bad. I like the 'Berline' styling of it.

 

[ExigeEvan]

And the C4, isn't bland or boring either.

And the middle of the steering wheel doesn't move either!

 

[Danny]

I don't even know where to begin with this.

Can you imagine Vauxhall, Chevrolet or 90% of large scale manufacturers at the moment being quite so adventurous, turning the MPV (traditionally bland cars-as-white-goods) into a piece of art? The way the shoulder line and pillars dart around, melting into each contact point is almost reminicent of a Dali piece. The overall design is clear and flowing, much like water. It is a pure design, which mimics said water to a point where you worry that the car might just gush away. Then we move onto the Grand Picasso. Perhaps slightly more conservative than the C4 Picasso, but then if people want extroversion in this sector, they buy an Espace (like G.G., renowned fashionista). The Grand Picasso is for a whole different audience, and thusly the styling is toned down into simple blocks and smooth lines. The roofline curves slightly, simplifying the design somewhat, but also improving headroom inside, and giving a more futuristic look from the outside. The general look of the Citroen Picassos is one of modern art. In comparison to the Xsara Picasso's Cubism, it has a cleaner look overall, much less disjointed.
However, the C8 needs to be canned. It's been made redundant, and doesn't currently fit in with Citroen's design route.

But it's not like I'm biased or anything.

By the way, if you didn't bothered to read my design ramblings, I'll condense it for you-

THEY L00K LIEK A SPACE-SHIP

 

[Metar]

And the middle of the steering wheel doesn't move either!

Which is friggin' cool! Also a main reason why the C4 is the 3rd most-popular car in Israel right now (Following, of course, the Corolla and base Mazda3), with the highest user-satisfaction. And reliability isn't as much of a problem as their previous best-seller, the BX, would lead you to believe.


I think the creator of this thread is referring more to the cars from the mid-nineties up to the current generation. The current generation of Citroens is pretty amazing. The C6 was apparently so beautiful, that Jaques Chiraque ordered one already at the Paris show when the concept was shown. It also brings back that tradition of technology-laden flagships there, and for the first time that thing doesn't . The C5 improved quite a bit since the first versions, which, from almost-personal expirience, had more problems than the whole Corolla community together (The friggin' doorhandle fell off!).