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Citroën: All Models, History & Specs (DS, 2CV) | Hugegarage

Citroën is the legendary French brand of avant-garde design and fearless innovation. From the revolutionary DS 'Goddess' and the iconic 2CV to its modern focus on 'Advanced Comfort,' Citroën has always dared to be different. Discover the story of the brand that put a nation on wheels and a spaceship on the road.

Citroën: The Audacious Spirit of French Innovation

Citroën is not just a car manufacturer; it is a cultural icon, a symbol of avant-garde thinking, and a testament to the power of daring, human-centric design. For over a century, the brand of the "double chevron" has consistently challenged automotive conventions, prioritizing comfort and clever engineering over mainstream trends. From the car that changed the world, the Traction Avant, to the car that fell from the sky, the legendary DS, and the car that motorized a nation, the beloved 2CV, the story of Citroën is the story of a brand that has always dared to be brilliantly, wonderfully different.

The Genesis: A Visionary and a Gear

Founded in Paris, France, in 1919 by the brilliant industrialist André Citroën, the company was an immediate pioneer. The famous "double chevron" logo is a tribute to his early success in manufacturing double-helical gears. Citroën was a visionary who embraced Henry Ford's mass-production techniques, making his company one of the largest automakers in the world by the 1930s. But his true passion was for innovation, a drive that would lead to some of the most groundbreaking vehicles in automotive history.

Core Philosophy: "Créative Technologie" and Unparalleled Comfort

The core philosophy of Citroën has always been a blend of creative technology and a relentless focus on ride comfort. This was most famously realized through its legendary hydropneumatic suspension. This revolutionary system, which used a high-pressure hydraulic fluid and gas-filled spheres instead of traditional springs, delivered a magical, "magic carpet" ride quality that was simply unmatched by any other car in the world. In the modern era, this philosophy has evolved into the Citroën Advanced Comfort® program, which combines innovative new suspension technology (Progressive Hydraulic Cushions) with advanced, memory-foam-like seats to create a uniquely serene and comfortable driving experience.

The Icons That Defined a Nation and Shocked the World

Citroën's history is not just a list of cars; it is a gallery of revolutionary masterpieces that have left an indelible mark on the world.

The Holy Trinity of Innovation

  • Traction Avant (1934-1957): The car that invented the modern automobile. The "Front-Wheel Drive" was a technical revolution, one of the first mass-produced cars to feature both a front-wheel-drive layout and a modern unibody construction. Its brilliant engineering provided superior handling and a spacious interior, setting the template for the car you drive today.
  • 2CV (1948-1990): The "Tin Snail." An umbrella on wheels. The 2CV was a masterpiece of minimalist genius. It was designed with a simple brief: to be an affordable car that could carry four people and a basket of eggs across a plowed field without breaking them. With its simple, air-cooled engine, soft suspension, and roll-back roof, it became an icon of freedom and French ingenuity, a car that was classless and beloved by all.
  • DS (1955-1975): The Goddess. A car that fell from the sky. When the DS was unveiled at the 1955 Paris Motor Show, it was so futuristic that it caused a sensation. Its otherworldly, aerodynamic design was just the start. It featured the revolutionary self-leveling hydropneumatic suspension, power steering, and a semi-automatic gearbox. It was a technological marvel, a rolling sculpture, and arguably one of the most important and beautiful cars of the 20th century.

Other-Worldly Grand Touring: The SM

The Citroën SM (1970-1975) was the Concorde for the road. This stunning grand tourer combined Citroën's most advanced technology, including its magic carpet suspension and unique variable-assist steering, with a powerful, high-revving V6 engine built by Maserati. It was a futuristic, high-speed masterpiece, a testament to a time of limitless automotive ambition.

Citroën's Modern Reinvention

Now a core brand within the Stellantis group, Citroën has successfully reinvented itself by doubling down on its historic strengths: daring design and a focus on class-leading comfort.

A Focus on Comfort and Character

Modern Citroëns have carved out a unique space in the market. The C4 Cactus was a pioneer, with its quirky and protective "Airbumps." The current lineup, including the stylish C4 and the flagship C5 X, has been praised for its bold, unconventional styling and its supreme ride comfort, which stands in stark contrast to the overly sporty focus of many rivals. The tiny, electric Ami is a radical and brilliant solution for modern urban mobility, proving that Citroën's spirit of innovation is alive and well.

Target Audience

The Citroën customer is an individualist. They are not looking for the sportiest or most aggressive car on the block. Instead, they are discerning buyers who value comfort, clever design, and a car with a unique and charming personality. They appreciate a vehicle that dares to be different and prioritizes a serene, stress-free driving experience above all else. Citroën is the brand for the confident non-conformist.

Citroën Models

  • DS

    1955-1975

    The Goddess. The icon. A car that fell from the sky. The DS was a masterpiece of avant-garde design and revolutionary technology, with its self-leveling hydropneumatic suspension, swiveling headlights, and futuristic shape. It is a national monument of France.

  • 2CV

    1948-1990

    The 'Tin Snail.' An umbrella on wheels. The 2CV was a work of minimalist genius, a simple, rugged, and incredibly practical car designed to carry a farmer's eggs across a plowed field without breaking them. A symbol of freedom and French ingenuity.

  • SM

    1970-1975

    The Concorde for the road. The SM was a stunning, high-tech grand tourer with a Maserati V6 heart, self-leveling suspension, and variable-assist steering. It is a masterpiece of 70s futurism and one of the most ambitious cars ever created.

  • Traction Avant

    1934-1957

    The car that changed the world. The Traction Avant was a groundbreaking pioneer, one of the first mass-produced cars with front-wheel drive and a modern unibody construction. Its brilliant engineering set the template for the modern automobile.

  • H Van (Type H)

    1947-1981

    The iconic, corrugated-metal workhorse of France. The H Van was a masterpiece of practical design with its low, flat floor and cavernous space. It has become a beloved cultural icon, living a second life as the world's coolest food truck.

  • CX

    1974-1991

    The futuristic, aerodynamic successor to the DS. The CX was a stunning fastback with a spaceship-like interior, featuring a single-spoke steering wheel and a 'magic carpet' ride. The GTi Turbo was a legendary, high-speed autobahn express.

  • C4 Cactus

    2014-2020

    The car that brought Citroën's quirky spirit back. The C4 Cactus was a daring and innovative crossover, famous for its protective 'Airbumps' on the doors. It was a bold statement about prioritizing clever design and real-world usability.

  • Ami

    2020-Present

    A radical solution for modern urban mobility. The Ami is not a car; it's a tiny, two-seat electric quadricycle that can be driven by teenagers in France. It is a brilliantly simple and affordable vision for the future of the city car.

  • C5 X

    2021-Present

    The modern flagship and a synthesis of three cars in one. The C5 X blends the elegance of a sedan, the versatility of a wagon, and the presence of an SUV. It is the ultimate expression of the brand's 'Advanced Comfort' philosophy for a new era.

  • BX

    1982-1994

    The lightweight, boxy, and brilliant family car designed by Marcello Gandini. The BX was a marvel of the 80s, offering the magic carpet ride of hydropneumatic suspension in a practical package. The 4TC Group B rally car was an untamed monster.

  • Méhari

    1968-1988

    The ultimate fun-in-the-sun machine. The Méhari was a simple, rugged, and incredibly lightweight utility vehicle with a plastic body, based on the 2CV. It was the perfect, carefree companion for the beach and the countryside. A true symbol of leisure.

  • Berlingo / Multispace

    1996-Present

    The car that pioneered the 'Leisure Activity Vehicle' segment. The Berlingo is a masterpiece of practicality, a van-based family car that offers an incredible amount of space and utility. It is the unsung hero of countless European families.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most famous Citroën cars?
Citroën has a history of creating true automotive icons. The three most famous are the legendary DS "Goddess," a futuristic masterpiece from 1955; the beloved 2CV "Tin Snail," a brilliant, minimalist car for the people; and the Traction Avant, the revolutionary 1930s car that pioneered front-wheel drive and unibody construction. These cars changed the automotive world.
What is Citroën's hydropneumatic suspension?
Hydropneumatic suspension is Citroën's legendary and revolutionary suspension system. Instead of traditional metal springs, it uses interconnected spheres of nitrogen gas and a high-pressure hydraulic fluid. This system provided a magical, self-leveling "magic carpet" ride that was incredibly smooth over bumps. It was the signature technology on iconic models like the DS, SM, and CX, and it is a key part of the brand's heritage.
Is Citroën related to Peugeot?
Yes. Citroën and Peugeot are the two core French brands within the global automaker Stellantis. They have been partners since the formation of the PSA Group in the 1970s. While they share platforms and technologies to improve efficiency, they maintain their own distinct brand identities, with Citroën focusing on avant-garde design and ultimate comfort, while Peugeot focuses on a sportier, more dynamic feel.
What is the story of the Citroën 2CV?
The Citroën 2CV (short for "deux chevaux," or "two horsepower") was a work of minimalist genius. It was designed before WWII with a simple mission: to be an affordable "umbrella on wheels" that could carry a French farmer and a basket of eggs across a muddy, plowed field without breaking any. It was simple, rugged, incredibly versatile, and became a beloved symbol of freedom and French ingenuity for over 40 years.
Are Citroën cars sold in the USA?
Citroën has not officially sold cars in the United States since the 1970s. While the iconic DS and SM models of that era have a passionate cult following in America, the brand has focused its efforts on the European and other global markets. As part of the Stellantis group, which includes Chrysler and Jeep, there is always speculation, but no official plans for a US return have been announced.