What you'll find here
Year-by-year archive pages with brochure PDFs, core specs, and links to related models.
This collection brings together 17 brochures spanning 1974 to 1989, documenting the Citroën CX across its full model range. Original dealer catalogs from five markets showcase the saloon, estate break, diesel variant, and high-performance GTi edition. Researchers, automotive historians, and enthusiasts will find this archive an essential reference for understanding the CX's evolution and market positioning throughout its production era.
Year-by-year archive pages with brochure PDFs, core specs, and links to related models.
Original manufacturer materials document equipment and options exactly as they were offered.
Use search or the year browser below. Each brochure card links to the full PDF download.
Open a year to view details and download the brochure.
When the CX landed in Britain in 1974, it faced the Rover 3500 and Granada on their home turf. The transverse 2.0-litre engine producing 101 horsepower was modest by contemporary standards, but the hydropneumatic suspension transformed what buyers felt through the wheel. British motoring press found themselves writing about a car that rode like nothing else on offer.
By 1975, the CX arrived as a full-range replacement for the ageing DS, offering saloon and estate variants that competed directly against the Mercedes 200 and Jaguar XJ. The body came in three engine configurations: the 1.6-litre petrol with 82 hp, the 2.0-litre with 101 hp, and a Diesel option for markets demanding fuel economy. British buyers found the hydropneumatic suspensi
By 1976, Citroën had positioned the CX as the thinking driver's answer to the conventional saloon. The UK market received both the 2.0-litre four-cylinder and the 2.4-litre six-cylinder engine good for 136 hp, each paired with hydropneumatic suspension that made rivals feel antiquated. A five-speed manual transmission and self-levelling ride height gave buyers something genuine
When the CX arrived in 1977, it faced formidable competition from the Mercedes-Benz W123 and the Rover 3500, yet Citroën's gamble on radical aerodynamics and hydropneumatic suspension set it apart. The 2.0-litre engine delivered 101 horsepower, sufficient for a car weighing just over 1,200 kilograms. British buyers accustomed to conventional engineering found the CX's self-leve
The 1978 CX arrived in Dutch showrooms as Citroën's answer to buyers who rejected the conventional wisdom of bigger engines and stiffer suspensions. In a market where the 305 and the Rover 3500 dominated executive fleets, this 1.6-litre saloon offered something different: self-levelling suspension and a turning circle that made city driving almost effortless.
By 1981, the CX's transverse 2.0-litre engine produced 101 horsepower, paired with a five-speed manual that made highway cruising effortless for the era. This powertrain defined the middle-market executive segment: enough thrust to outpace the Rover 3500, yet efficient enough to appeal to buyers fatigued by fuel crises. The self-levelling suspension, rated to carry four adults
By 1983, the CX faced stiffer competition from the Mercedes W123 successor and BMW's growing 5-Series presence, yet it held its ground through sheer comfort and unconventional engineering. Buyers seeking an alternative to German sporting sedans found in the CX a 2.0-litre four-cylinder good for 101 hp, paired with that trademark hydropneumatic suspension that made motorway crui
By 1984, the CX faced stiffening competition from the Accord and the latest Mercedes-Benz 190, yet Citroën's engineering philosophy remained defiantly unconventional. The five-cylinder engine, displacing 1.9 litres and producing 101 horsepower, powered a chassis that prioritised ride comfort over sportiness. Dutch buyers found themselves drawn to its air-sprung suspension and c
The 1987 CX lineup offered buyers a rare choice: saloon, estate, or the distinctive fastback coupé body, all sharing the same transverse 2.0-litre engine producing 101 horsepower. Japanese importers stocked multiple trim levels, positioning the CX against established sedans rather than the sportier European rivals gaining ground that year.
By 1988, the CX faced stiffer competition from the Mercedes 190 and Audi 80, yet Citroën's flagship still offered something those rivals couldn't match: its distinctive hydropneumatic suspension and the sense of floating over poor roads. The range-topping 2.5-litre engine produced 129 horsepower, enough to justify the premium positioning, while the practical estate body appeale
By 1983, the CX 25 D faced mounting pressure from German diesel saloons and the emerging Peugeot 505 D, yet Citroën's five-speed diesel remained a compelling choice for fuel-conscious buyers seeking French comfort. The 2.5-litre engine produced 85 horsepower, enough for steady motorway cruising without the thirst of petrol equivalents.
By 1989, the CX Break's 2.0-litre petrol engine delivered 101 horsepower—enough to compete with the Renault 25 and Peugeot 405 estate in the mid-sized family segment. The suspension's self-levelling system meant buyers got genuine load-carrying ability without sacrifice to ride quality, a claim few rivals could match.
The 1985 GTi packed a 1.6-litre engine producing 115 horsepower, built on the CX's hydropneumatic platform that gave it a ride no rival could match. Japanese buyers received a market-specific version with softer tuning and modified trim levels, reflecting Citroen's strategy to suit local preferences over raw performance.
Facing stiff competition from the Mercedes W123 and BMW 5-Series in 1981, Citroën refreshed the CX with sharper styling and the new Reflex and Athena trim hierarchy. The 2.0-litre petrol unit delivering 106 bhp aimed at buyers seeking French sophistication over German engineering orthodoxy. Hydropneumatic suspension remained the car's signature comfort advantage.
In 1983, the CX Turbo D reached markets across Europe with a turbocharged 2.5-litre diesel engine producing 101 horsepower—a specification that made it a credible alternative to petrol-powered rivals in the executive segment. Left-hand-drive configurations dominated continental distribution, where fuel economy and torque delivery mattered more than outright performance.
The archive contains 17 original documents spanning the CX's production life. These include brochures, dealer catalogs, press kits, and factory literature from various markets and model years. The collection captures the evolution of this iconic French sedan across different generations and variants.
Documents in the archive span from 1974 to 1989, covering the full lifespan of the original CX generation. This 15-year range includes launch materials, mid-cycle updates, and final production literature. Some years may have limited representation depending on document availability.
The collection includes five distinct variants: the standard CX, CX 25 D diesel model, CX Break estate, high-performance CX GTi, and later Reflex and Athena editions. Each variant has dedicated literature showing its specific features, positioning, and market appeal during its respective production period.
Yes. The archive documents five different regional markets, reflecting how Citroën adapted the CX for various countries. Market-specific brochures show different trim levels, equipment options, and pricing strategies. This regional variety provides insight into how the same model was positioned across Europe and beyond.
Absolutely. The original brochures and dealer catalogs are valuable restoration references. They detail original specifications, color palettes, trim options, and equipment configurations for specific model years and markets. Factory literature helps verify authenticity and guide accurate period restoration work on CX examples.
The archive page focuses on the documents themselves as historical artifacts—their origins, markets, and coverage. The catalog page presents the car's specifications and features. Here you explore the literature that sold the CX; there you learn what the CX actually was mechanically and visually.
The archive grows as new original documents are discovered and acquired. Updates occur irregularly based on availability and acquisition opportunities. If you have rare CX literature not yet in the collection, you can contribute it to expand the archive for future researchers and enthusiasts.