The CX was launched at the Paris Salon in 1974. As a replacement for the venerable DS, the CX was expected to be as big a leap over as that car was over its predecessor, the Traction, but in the event, it was evolutionary rather than revolutionary. Its appearance, strongly influenced by some Pininfarina proposals for BMC,  was not unlike a GS on steroids, it inherited its power plants from the DS and its steering from the SM. 

Below and right a cutaway CX was displayed at the 1974 Paris Salon

Suspension was the well proven hydropneumatic system.  It did however represent a considerable advance over its predecessor in terms of offering similar levels of accommodation in a more compact and more aerodynamic package - indeed its name, CX is the French acronym for coefficient of air resistance or CD.

The CX won the Car Of The Year Award in January 1975 - the same year that the Birotor and SM were dropped from production. Peugeot were at the helm...

Models available at launch were the CX 2000 Berline, CX 2000 Economique Berline with long gear ratios and CX 2200 Berline Club.

Above the CX Limousine employed the bodyshell of the Prestige but with a diesel engine - thereby setting a trend for luxurious diesel powered cars

Above the Mk 1 CX GTi Turbo

In 1976, the CX 2200 was available with an optional 3 speed semi automatic gearbox (C matic) and the CX 2200 Diesel was launched. Pallas trim levels were available on all saloon models. The same year, the CX 2400 Prestige was launched, featuring a lengthened body with a raised roof. Also launched in 1976 was the Break estate car with a choice of 2000, 2200 or 2200 Diesel powerplants and two trim levels - Confort and Super.

In 1977, the range was further extended with the introduction of a fuel injected 2400 engine fitted to the CX Berline GTi and the replacement of the CX2200 with the CX 2400.
In 1978, the injected 2400 engine was available in Pallas and Prestige guise, fitted with the C matic semi automatic transmission as standard in the Pallas and as an option in the Prestige. A new CX 2500 Diesel was also launched that year. 
In 1979, the CX 2000 models were superseded by the Reflex and Athena models, fitted with a new engine of 1 995cm3 capacity, jointly developed by Peugeot, Renault and Volvo. A five speed gearbox was available as an option in most models.
In 1980, the Pallas and Prestige were available with a fully automatic gearbox as an option and the C matic system was dropped. The CX 2200 Diesel also disappeared.
In 1982, all the CX range received new front wings to accommodate wider tyres on the injection models. The  CX 2400 carburettor models were dropped from the range.
In 1983, the range was rebadged - Reflex became CX 20, Athena became CX 20 TRE, the CX 2500 Diesel Reflex became the CX 25 D while the CX 2400 Injection Pallas became the CX Pallas IE.
In 1984, the CX 25 D was made available with a turbocharger and was called CX 25 RD Turbo or TRD Turbo (DTR in Anglophone markets) and the 2400 engine was replaced with a 2500 version.
In 1985, two new models were launched - the CX 25 RI was a less luxurious GTi while the GTi gained a turbocharger and became the CX 25 GTi Turbo.

Below the 1977 Heuliez proposal for a restyle

Above and below Michel Harmand's proposals for a restyled interior

Above - Série 2 CX with plastic bumpers

Above - Chapron built two Landaulet-Décapotables, one of which, fitted with a plexiglass roof, was used as the wedding car of the Duc de Luxembourg in 1981.

Above - Baboulin ambulance with raised roof

Below - Carrier ambulance