Vive le CX, or Maybe the C6, or Maybe the DS9 or...
When Citroën stopped making the CX in 1991, it was "replaced" with the Citroën XM. but the XM wasn't a CX. While it was a fairly large executive car (at least for Europe), the XM was not as long or as prestigious as a CX -- especially a CX Prestige. It may have checked the "Executive Car" box, it never did replace the CX -- Not in sales figures or in the minds of Citronistas like myself.
Even typical Citroën haters (such as Mr Jeremy Clarkson) had kind words for the CX. Presidents (and dictators) cherished them. So did music stars. Producers and Directors filmed them.
People still compare the Citroën CX to a spaceship, aircraft, or car of the future.
It was not until 2005 that the Citroën CX (sort of) came back. It wasn't called the CX, it was given a name that sounded similar, but was in line with Citroën's naming convention of the time - C6. The long bonnet (hood), the curved rear glass, and the overall look were clearly reminiscent of the CX.
Citroën C6 (Photo:Wikimedia User: S 400 HYBRID)
The C6 carried forth some of the CX's style, but sadly it never carried forth the CX's multi-million unit sales figures. It was expensive to buy and expensive to operate, and really did not offer any advantages over the more practical Citroën C5. If you wanted the luxury of the C6, and the ride of the Hydractive suspension, just order a C5, and pile on the options. You can still do this today.
So, in 2012, the C6 followed the CX into the automotive history pages.
But today, Citroën's Pierre Monferrini (DS5 Project Manager, and now head of the "C" Line) confirmed that another big Citroën -- another incarnation of the CX, in my terms -- is in the works. More than that, he was referring to a real production car, not a prototype or concept, although which markets it will be sold in was not specified. He also declined to reveal a name. By C-Line they are referring to Citroen's new "C-hyphen-something" line, like the also recently announced C-Elysee or C-Catctus. Perhaps the name will show its CX lineage -- "C-Eacks"?, "C-Axe"? Or maybe a nod to the C6: "C-Sicks"? Perhaps Latin - "C-Sex"? or Late Egyptian - "C-Sa'w"?
Whatever it's name, the chances of it being sold in the US are somewhere south of nil, but at least the legacy of my old CX Prestige Turbo II will live on.
carcynic on 09.25.13 @ 08:02 PM EST [Article Anchor]
