What you'll find here
Year-by-year archive pages with brochure PDFs, core specs, and links to related models.
This archive preserves ten original dealer brochures spanning 1954 to 2021, documenting Citroën's evolution from the iconic Traction Avant through modern variants. Material sourced from four international markets captures design philosophy and market positioning across seven decades. The collection includes the Axel, C15, DS Brand Book, and Expert Tepee series. Historians, enthusiasts, and researchers will find primary-source documentation of French automotive innovation and brand narrative development.
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.
Built to mark a century of Citroën production, the 2019 100 Years edition arrived in Japan with a powertrain that prioritised proven efficiency over novelty. The mechanical foundation relied on established engines and drivetrains, allowing the model to concentrate its identity on heritage-focused trim and specification choices that spoke directly to collectors and enthusiasts a
By 1986, the Axel faced stiff competition from the Renault 5 and Fiat Panda in the budget-conscious segment, yet Citroën's offering held its ground through sheer practicality. The air-cooled two-cylinder engine, displacing 602 cc and producing 29 horsepower, prioritized simplicity over performance—a deliberate choice that resonated with buyers seeking dependable transport witho
By 1989, Citroën positioned the C15 as the affordable workhorse for European tradespeople and small-business owners seeking an alternative to the heavier, costlier van market. The lineup balanced simplicity with utility: buyers could choose between petrol and diesel engines, with a 1.4-litre petrol unit producing 80 hp or a 1.9-litre diesel option that prioritized torque and ec
By 2021, the DS Brand Book captured how Citroën's premium marque positioned itself against rivals in Japan's luxury segment. The 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic, powered the DS 7 Crossback—the flagship offered there. This brochure reveals the mechanical philosophy behind a car engineered for refinement over raw performance, targeting b
By 2012, Citroën's transverse 1.6-litre HDi diesel, producing 90 horsepower, powered a seven-seat layout that undercut the segment's established players without compromise. Against rivals like the VW Touran and Renault Scenic, the Expert Tepee offered a practical answer: genuine modularity, sliding doors on both sides, and a lower purchase price that appealed to fleet buyers an
When rivals in Southeast Asia were still offering soft-roaders with marginal traction, Citroën positioned the FAF 4×4 as a genuine workhorse. Built on the Mehari platform but engineered for serious terrain, it competed directly against the Suzuki LJ and early Daihatsu Rocky imports flooding Indonesian showrooms in 1980. Buyers valued its French engineering pedigree and proven m
By 2017, the Jumper Combi faced stiffer competition from the Ford Transit Custom and the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, yet Citroën's offering held ground through sharper interior ergonomics and a lower entry price. Buyers in Britain and France valued the modular seating flexibility and the 2.0-litre turbodiesel's frugal fuel consumption—advantages the brochure emphasized as practical
When Citroën unveiled the SM in 1970, it arrived as the company's answer to the Mercedes-Benz 280 SE and Jaguar XJ—a sophisticated executive saloon that blended French engineering with Italian styling by Bertone. The 1.6-litre engine produced 85 kW, paired with the brand's signature hydropneumatic suspension. Buyers in the Netherlands and beyond found a machine that prioritized
By 1972, European luxury buyers faced an unusual choice: the SM arrived as Citroën's answer to Jaguar's E-Type and the Mercedes 280SE, yet it played by different rules entirely. Its Maserati-sourced V6 produced 170 hp, paired with that signature hydropneumatic suspension that made rivals feel antiquated. Left-hand-drive markets in France and beyond discovered a car that priorit
Beneath the long hood sat the same 1.9-litre four-cylinder that had powered Tractions since the pre-war years, now producing 56 horsepower—modest by American standards but adequate for European traffic. What buyers weighed against rivals was the independent front suspension and hydraulic braking system, engineering choices that made the Traction feel planted and composed on twi
The archive contains exactly 10 original documents covering the Traction Avant. These include brochures, dealer catalogs, press materials, and factory literature from various periods. Together they form a curated collection documenting different aspects of this iconic model's long history.
Documents span from 1954 to 2021, covering nearly seven decades. This wide range means some years have gaps, but the selection captures key moments in the model's evolution. The collection reflects how the Traction Avant was presented and remembered across different eras.
Absolutely. Original factory literature is invaluable for restoration research. Brochures and catalogs detail specifications, options, colors, and trim levels. They show what authentic equipment looked like and help ensure restorations match the original factory configuration accurately.
Yes, four distinct markets and regional variants are represented in the collection. This shows how Citroën adapted the Traction Avant for different countries and customer bases. Regional documents reveal local specifications, pricing, and marketing approaches.
The archive page focuses on the documents themselves—their origins, scope, and historical value. The catalog page covers the car's technical specifications and features. Here we explore source materials; there you find vehicle data.
The archive spans multiple product lines: 100 Years, Axel, C15, DS Brand Book, and Expert Tepee. These represent different chapters in the broader Citroën story surrounding the Traction Avant's legacy and influence on subsequent models.