BX A new generation of Citroën


Title	BX, a new generation of Citroën
Author	Thijs van der Zanden with Julian Marsh
Publisher	Citrovisie
ISBN	978-90-828147-9-8
Price	€ 44.95
Language	English
	Reviews
Richard Kitchen – columnist for the BX in the Citroënian, the British Citroën Car Club magazine This month I have picked up and read a book that I just couldn’t put down. I am, of course, talking about BX: A new generation of Citroën, by Dutch publisher of chevron-specific books, Citrovisie. As the purpose of a book review is to advise whether or not you should buy said book, then I can save you a lot of reading by simply summarising: Yes. Yes, you should buy this book. This is quite likely the most important piece of BX literature to be released since... well, in the case of the UK, probably the last official brochure printed for dealerships (this excludes any Citroënian publication, obviously!) This is simply because there hasn’t actually been literature published about BXs, other than a few magazine features. We are well versed in our BX fixes coming few and far between, with brief appearances in old soap operas on TV in particular, providing moments of mild elation. To suddenly have bestowed upon us a professionally published hardback book which is dedicated to the BX in its own right, is something I, personally, am still surprised about. Yes, the BX is (and I’m assuming here) special to us all, but Citroën has a rich and diverse back-catalogue for budding writers to plunder, and anyone would assume that models such as the DS, SM, 2cv and Traction will attract suitors before our beloved creation of Bertone. And, that’s before you get to arguably more technically fascinating cars like the CX or GS. Thankfully for us, having already covered the CX and GS/GSA in previous efforts, author Thijs van der Zanden decided to move forwards in Citroën’s timeline and created a 300+ page powerhouse of statistics and detailed information. His first edition was in his native Dutch, but with the assistance of Julian Marsh, this has now been converted into an English-speaking version. Don’t think that this is simply a translation (which would have been an effort in itself). With different countries come different buying markets, and Julian’s input into this publication will extend far greater than simply using Google translate, and filling in some gaps! For example, any book on BXs tailored for an English market would need to address the whole TRD vs DTR tale (which is actually true!) Trim levels; release dates; special editions - even details like how the speedometers that read in ‘mph’ compare to those in ‘km/h’ - this publication is no small undertaking. I have experience in writing books myself, and I can tell you that the efforts that have been taken here by all concerned go far beyond the asking price of the book itself. From a value-for-money perspective, it’s a thumbs-up, whether you go for the standard version (adorned with a purposeful-looking ph1 16V model in Venetian Red), or the 'série limitée' edition, which features an MK1 model in the once considered mythical ‘Jaune Cedrat’ (which translates as ‘awesome-looking thing in yellow’... probably) and comes packaged in a collectors' sleeve. The latter is signed by the author too, though they’re limited to 100 numbered copies, so your odds of finding one are nearly as slim as finding said MK1 BX in poverty-spec yellow. At time of writing, the asking price I found on Citrovisie’s own website for the standard edition is €44,95, plus P&P. Google-searching suggests the limited-edition version was actually not much more, at around €58,00, though it looks as if these have sold out through the publisher already. I was kindly sent a standard version to review for this column. Having had a cursory flick through the pages, I must confess I was a little deflated by the ‘exterior’ look of the book. The cover in particular, while featuring a car I love, is a little basic-looking, and the image quite grainy. It doesn’t do justice to the content inside, which swiftly exceeded my expectations in terms of quality and range of imagery, so I do worry how the book might not visually ‘stand out’ on the shelf of a bookshop, given how great the content looks. I do concede that there is a range of books by the publisher, and that the appearance of BX version has clearly been designed to adopt the look of the ‘family’, which is quite understandable. Once I stopped nit-picking, I found a comfy spot on the sofa and dived in head-first. Straight away, two things became apparent. Firstly, that this is less of an emotive publication (the last Citroën-related book I read was Stuart Ager’s excellent Citroën SM: Accidental Death of an Icon, which is the polar opposite of this BX book) and more of an objective piece, which is there to give you the facts, stats and figures, as well as detailing the information you need to know. You won’t be entertained as much as you’ll be impressed. Think of it as a paper version of the Xantia Activa! The second thing that struck me was the level of research and detail that has gone on in the background. This is, quite simply, the most comprehensive bundle of information regarding the origins of the BX that I’ve ever read. Read this book, and you will learn something new. For me? The Volvo Tundra - it did not pre-date the BX design submission from Gandini; Citroën had already approved his proposal before the Tundra even appeared. Oh, and while we’re at it - Gandini - he’s been on board with it too, albeit in a more ‘fleeting’ manner. As impressive as the quantity and quality of the material is, I was surprised at a number of areas that just didn’t get mentioned, for example, the switch from bearing to non-bearing front subframes. The brand new XU-engines aren’t covered in as much detail as I would have expected, and the 16V engine in particular gets little in the way of exposure from a mechanical point of view (the development behind the sporting models in general, however, is more than accounted for). You won’t find extensive coverage on the workings of the hydraulic system, either, or its properties (for example, how the suspension differed on the BX from the more complex versions in the GS/A & CX), which suggests that the book is perhaps aimed at those already familiar with the car. That’s fine, because those are the people who are going to buy it! The book has been set out in what is effectively chronological order, beginning in the 1970s in the drawing office with the suits at Citroën, and working its way through the 1982 launch (the section which I particularly enjoyed) right up to cessation in 1994. Heuliez are given the coverage they deserve, too, and the timeline is replicated at the back in the form of specs, stats and colour charts. Again, the level of care and research that has gone into this publication is clear to see, which makes it all the more enjoyable. I personally enjoyed flicking over each page, wondering what I was going to learn next about a subject I already profess to know everything about (the book was a wake-up call - I don’t!) So, if you’re of a nerdy BX disposition (aren’t we all), then you will treasure this book. Will you find errors? Yes. Will you find something to pick holes in, which I haven’t mentioned? Probably. Should this bother you? Absolutely not. Should you buy the book? Most certainly. To conclude, I refer you to my second paragraph, and reiterate it; This is likely the most important BX-related, English-spoken publication to have been released since the cars ended production. It’s brilliantly laid-out; full of detail and covers a vast subject range exceptionally well. As they say on the internet these days, ‘Do a buy!’ © 2021 Richard Kitchen/Citroën Car Club Ltd. Phil Chidlow BX enthusiast, design consultant for the Citroënian, the magazine of the British Citroën Car Club I have owned BXs since 1993 so I thought I knew a lot about this unique Citroën. How wrong was I? Back in 2012, on a trip to the Conservatoire, I picked up a book about the BX, La Citroën BX de mon Pére, by Marie-Claire Lauvray & Vincent Roussel. In my mind this was quite a milestone and, at last the BX was getting the recognition it deserved. It's been a slow process though. Now, nine years on, the BX is rightfully being recognised by others outside our fraternity as a car of significance (though, admittedly, it's still an acquired taste). So, as we approach the BX's 40th Anniversary year, it's appropriate that another book should arrive to reinforce the rise in the model's appreciation. Familiar with Citrovisie's GS book, I knew what to expect. Competent, well-produced and comprehensive - a well researched and valuable reference work indispensable to the owners of such automotive wonders. BX - A new generation of Citroën is just that. But what I wasn't prepared for was a book that was so much more. Having read it cover to cover, I see it as being greater than the sum of its parts; a bit like the BX itself. It is more than a dry chronology, recounting the birth, development and maturation of the BX - it is a wonderfully rounded homage to the spirit of the car. I am biased of course! After all, I was never going to find it dull, but what surprised me - and dare I say - humbled me - was finding that I knew so little. I find myself having to resist the urge to go into too much detail, because I don't want this review to spoil a reader's enjoyment in discovering that for themselves. The high points are many, but from my perspective, as someone interested in concept cars and design, it is the first 50 pages (out of an impressive 312) that hold particular fascination for me. The inclusion of intriguing dead ends and dubious proposals, among the processes of experimentation and refinement that lead to the birth of the BX we all recognise, is fascinating. For instance, the details of instrument clusters that should have made it and others that definitely couldn't, and the superficially simple elements that now we take for granted but were, at the time ground-breaking (such as the adjustment knobs on the front as opposed to the usual rear of the seats) and so on. But what elevates this above what could have been just fine for laying the foundations of the BX story, are the designer visuals (some a lesson in Magic Marker art) and images of the craft of the model builders. Some of the body variations and proposed range extensions (like the inevitable coupé versions) demonstrate just how much thought - and clearly how much investment was made - to ensure this Citroën worked. A lot was riding on it! Before I move on, I do want to mention the single most illuminating aspect of the BX's gestation and that is the debunking of the Volvo Tundra myth. I shall leave it at that - not having issued a spoiler alert. Alongside this episode we get an all-too-rare insight into Marcello Gandini's significance in how things all turned out. As an ardent fan, I took it for granted that he must have been very proud of the BX. Not so much, actually. Maybe I was misled by the advert showing him driving one to work? On reflection, Gandini could have felt it didn't go far enough; maybe Karcher's 'Citroënisation' drive was too restrictive for one of Bertone's most innovative designers? On the other hand, looking at Gandini's amazing portfolio, I can grudgingly understand his placing of the BX amongst the ten designs of which he is least proud. This book follows the launch and promotion of the BX a little briefly, given the thorough extent of the run up, before it settles down into a model year-led exploration of the expansion of the BX range. Accompanied by various interesting side-panels and features dealing with technical and design changes (some very subtle indeed!), the text rolls along at a comfortable pace; a smooth ride befitting the BX of course. Just because the development section was so full of twists and turns, with some quite unexpected proposals, it doesn't mean the rest of the book is dull by comparison. There is something on just about every page that fills cracks (and gaping holes I found) in my knowledge of the BX's life. The intelligent editorial structure, along with a confident design vernacular (established by other Citrovisie titles in this format), make this an eminently dip-in-able book. Hats off to Thijs van der Zanden and Julian Marsh for a thoroughly illuminating tour de force. As I have already said, I thought I knew more. I do now. In the interest of balance, I should raise a few points (which I insist do not overshadow the book's genuinely outstanding value to anyone who is either familiar or new to the BX). First, as the book is part of a series this is not really a criticism, but it's a shame it couldn't have been a little larger. Not that legibility is an issue; it just feels it should occupy more space somehow. Secondly, on a practical level, I would have liked an index. It would really help when returning to the book as a reference work; a little frustrating (like the lack of a proper temp gauge on a diesel BX). Next, I would like to have seen a little more work on some of the images. There is a tendency for some to appear dull, case in point would be the cover image, which to my graphic designer's eye could have been less muddy - a bit more zingy, and some of the black and white images could have been improved - (maybe more use of the duo-tone look that is used here and there would have helped lift the greyness). Finally, although I cannot vouch for the accuracy of technical data, I didn't come across any howlers. Given the exhaustive work that's evident throughout, I would be surprised if there were any major objective errors. Notwithstanding the points raised above, I have no hesitation in recommending Citrovisie's BX: A new generation of Citroën as not only the best BX book yet - by a country mile - but probably the only BX book you will ever need. © 2021 Phil Chidlow/Citroën Car Club Ltd.

Max Lewis, Librarian Citroën Classic Owners' Club of Australia, Inc.

Citroën BX…
A new generation of Citroën

This Citrovisie book arrived last week after a short wait [it seemed like an eon but as it was so looked forward to, my impatience got the better of me] is presented by Thijs van der Zanden with Julian Marsh responsible for this English edition just as was Julian’s work on the GS/GSA book.

The full title is Citroën BX… A new generation of Citroën.

And that sub title folks really describes this model in its true perspective.

The book like that of the GS/GSA is in the landscape format and that pleases me very much.

As well, it has its own fabric bookmark whereas the others did not.

A small but nice touch.

The book is 312 pages and has a hard cover in the modern style… ie no dust jacket.

The book starts off with the origins of the BX and what interesting reading that makes as the author explores and relates the goings on at Citroën when this car first came up as hopefully a worthy successor to the GS.

This section is as full of illustrations as you would want and they are mostly in colour.

I would like to take from the Foreword written by Julian Leyton [retired Press & Public Relations Manager Citroën UK] the essential soul of this wonderful new offering from Citroën.

‘The BX ~ the car that, together with the GS/A, Xsara Picasso and Saxo, most improved Citroën’s fortunes in the UK.’

More BXs were sold in just that relatively small market [producing a right hand drive model must always have been a pain in Citroën’s derriere] than all of the preceding small models put together.

The factory went on the produce more than 2.33 million units… no small beer here!!

As with the other two Citrovisie books that I have reviewed… The GS/GSA and CX, this edition is another great example of how Thijs and his band of merry Citronauts have put together such detail with more photos that you can shake a stick at, that it again resets the standard.

The BX was initially the subject of [or maybe ‘to’ is the more apt phrase] the notable designers Jean Giret, Regis Gromik and Luc Louis .

These three auto design musketeers were following in the footsteps of Robert Opron who had been the No 1 pen and ink man.

A small interruption here and one that had a huge bearing on Citroën’s future was that at the 1973 fuel crisis our beloved marque found itself in a financial fix.

Citroën as you know was owned mostly by Michelin who with the cold wind of fiscal meltdown breathing down its neck, it got Peugeot to throw out a life line.

An editorial aside: Others have suggested that it was the French government who forced Peugeot to ‘rescue’ Citroën while putting Renault into a Full Nelson to take the marque’s truck arm.

This saved Citroën’s bacon; but the price was rather steep… no more outlandish models with which to woo and bring wonderment to the otherwise boring automotive world of mass produced cars.

The cold clammy hand of Peugeot was now the influencer. But nonetheless Citroën weaved its path amongst the minefields of pernicious papa Peugeot!!

How’s that for alliteration?

Along came Italians Giorgetto Giugiaro and Marcello Gandini ~ internationally acclaimed for some exotic Italian autos.

This was the genesis of the era of the wedge and creases and sharp this, that and the other… altogether a new mould. The curves and soft forms of the GS/GSA for example went by the way.

Citroën was losing its way in determining the shape of what you and I know as the BX. And Gandini did some good work and as a parry to the in house designer’s purple mutterings expressed the view that ‘I was not hired to make friends.’

A perfunctory man who also expressed the view that ‘we sent the design and then the invoice and that was that.’

Well indeed it was just that and the design went ahead under the direction of Trevor Fiore [an Englishman with an Italian heritage… a rare combo then as now] and finally morphed into the shape we well know.

Citroën introduced the car to the public in I982 with enormous pomp and pageantry and away it went.

Although it missed out on a Car of the Year award, the BX nonetheless scored extremely well with overall driveability and its small engined models scored an economy first place in the I983 Mobil Economy Run.

All boded well for the BX and over its I2+ year production run it was deemed a success and helped Citroën’s fortunes on the way.

There were many, many derivatives… too many to mention here but perhaps one that stood out was the I6-valve sport model which was the epitome of a boy racer’s rocket.

Sadly it would seem the wedge shape of the BX would be supplanted by the more rounded curvaceous bodywork of the next lot of Citroën models. It is the fate of car designs since mass production came into play that design trends are fickle.

The BX and its kith and kin of the time were replaced with the new lot of shapes like the Xsara and Xantia morphing into the c-Series.

The British market provides an example of how a successful model came and went. Of the 200,000 built for the uk, barely 200 exist today.

Such is the way.

Your humble scribe,

Review published in Démarreur

Book Review

by Blair Anderson

BX, a new generation of Citroën

First, a confession. I have never driven a BX, have never sat in one, and have only seen a handful in the flesh. However, this doesn’t reduce my interest in the series which has always fascinated me.

Being as far away from Citroën distribution as possible (the Canadian Prairies), a while after the series was first introduced, I was most pleased to receive dozens of then-current brochures from people all over Europe. I was able to read the specifications of each model through the years and marvelled at the distinct “design” departure from the DS, GS/A, and CX.

I am, therefore, far from an expert about the BX. I admire the Dutch author, Thijs van der Zanden’s and British collaborator, Julian Marsh’s vast knowledge as shared so remarkably in this book. It is substantial – some 312 pages – with many detailed drawings, photographs, and tables divided into distinct chapters telling the origins, introduction, variations, production, and other particulars in a pleasing way.

I particularly enjoyed three aspects of the book – the way the layout is presented being foremost. When there are multiple photos or drawings, these are separated by a white dotted line. I find this very attractive and serves to reduce the space required to present the photos and increasing the size of each photo. Wonderful!

The second feature I find most attractive is the extensive presentation of the BX in countries around the world with photos and details of the subtle, and not-so-subtle alterations made for each specific market, particularly, rather selfishly, the preparations designed for the eventual, but never realized, introduction of the series to North America.

Thirdly, towards the end of the book, are profuse tables outlining production figures and a very detailed compendium of colours and upholstery choices by model year.

First impressions: the cover of the hardcover book shows a BX in three-quarter front view in motion on a road with a blurred background giving the impression of movement. The pages are of a substantial weight and texture. The photos are all crisp and sharp, many unique to this book. The layout is designed to draw the reader in. A convenient string book-mark is provided – an unusual and helpful device.

The chapters are logically presented. An extensive presentation, comprising a large part of the book regarding the development of the series named “Project XB”, is a fascinating read, and required multiple go-throughs to absorb, not due to its technical sophistication, but by the telling of the sheer determination and fortitude of the personnel involved with the design of the series, given the rather turbulent era at Citroën and PSA.

Further on the in book, each model year is given its own chapter. Extensive details are given, drawing the reader into learning the myriad changes, some relatively small, some more significant, made to the series over the more than a decade run. This level of detail is fascinating to anyone even remotely interested in the BX in particular and Citroën in general, but is presented in such a way as to be interesting to a casual reader as well.

Overall, I rate this tome very highly as it contains intrigue, is easy to read, is technical without being too overbearing or dry, and is, certainly, at the top of its field on the subject of the intriguing and beguiling Citroën BX.

Want to know more? Take a look at Citrovisie where the book is on sale right now.

Citrovisie was founded by Thijs van der Zanden, who combines his passion for writing and Citroëns.

Citrovisie publishes books which will interest enthusiasts of the Citroën brand.

The formula is simple: no basic books with well-known facts and standard photographs, but books full of new information and unseen images. Besides the huge amount of information a Citrovisie book offers, it's also a lot of fun browsing through the chapters, since there are many images in the books many of which have never been published before.