|
We've
made technology work very hard indeed for the Citroën BX That sleek
aerodynamic line has more than a hint of what's inside.
Controls?. They're at your fingertips.
Response, acceleration and handling are all
you'd want them to be. Also its stable and smooth at speed.
Material improvements
The
BX is the first mass-production car to use the latest synthetic
materials on large, non-structural areas like the hatchback door, and
on most models, the bonnet also.
Apart from being much lighter than steel,
plastic is actually tougher and it doesn't rust.
It's the same with the bumpers, fuel tank
and flap, ventilation intakes, roof finishing and rear quarter panels.
Naturally
in the critical structure we've used special high strength steels -
either zinc coated or with low carbon content that helps avoid
corrosion.
Less weight, less problems
Plastic
is 30% /lighter tnan steel and more efficient in terms ofperformance
and economy. Also, as the bodyshell has fewer parts, joins and
welding seams, it's extra rust-resistant and stronger. The door
pillars and floor pan are designed to spread the load and cut down the
effects should the car be struck in the side
in an accident.
The importance of low drag
Most
manufacturers talk about the drag coefficient figure relating to a
car's profile. On the BX it's 0.34 which is impressive in
itself. However, at Citroën we
recognise that, as a car is a three dimensional object, a for more
relevant figure is obtained by combining profile with surface area. At
0.63 the BX is better than most other cars in its class. This
significantly trims fuel consumption at cruising speeds.
Our
approach to aerodynamics is carried right through. The single screen
wiper apart from being more effective at cleaning, uses the airflow to
sweep away rain, produces less drag and won't lift at speed.
A comfortably better ride
The
BX adjusts automatically to different loads. 30 you're sure it'll
handle just as well whether you're driving alone or with a full
complement of passengers and luggage.
We've combined the unique self levelling
Citroen suspension system with the simplicity of Macpherson struts and
trailing arms.
Self
levelling suspension also keeps the BX at the correct and constant
aerodynamic angle so that the wind tunnel test results are matched by
real life performance,
Anti-roll
bars front and rear cut body sway while front wheel drive and precise
rack and pinion steering let it corner as if it were on rails.
The all-round, power operated disc brakes
mean that when you brake, you can with the utmost confidence.
The Citroën BX- technology has certainly
never looked better.
|
