Citroën and hydropneumatic spring balls. End of an era.

Auto Motor Klassiek » Articles » Citroën and hydropneumatic spring balls. End of an era.
Purchasing classics there

The news appeared coolly through multiple channels. And it had been announced several times since 2015. But now the time has come. The last Citroën- is built with hydractive suspension. The C5 is the carrier of the renowned and further developed spring system - which, thanks to an interplay of fluid and gas, always provided the ideal ride height and unsurpassed comfort. Now that the goodbye to this beautiful type has officially been lost Citroën one of the technical applications that made the brand great.

Production costs, changing wishes with regard to driving dynamics and globalization have led to the departure of an image-determining factor for Citroën. A Citroën is in the hydroconfiguration With spring bulbs you can no longer order from now on.

Additional cachet

The suspension system gave every Citroën, which was equipped with it, a specific driving character and additional cachet. It added a lot to comfort aspects and safety also played a significant role in the application of the system. The hydropneumatic systems of Citroën were defining for the brand, and often a main reason to purchase a type with a Double Chevron on the forecourt.

Baptism of fire on rear axle

It actually debuted on the Traction Avant (on the rear axle). The six cylinder "15 Hydraulique", produced in a circulation of 3.000 pieces, was responsible for the fire baptism of the system, which would debut on the DS in 1955. In terms of design, the Goddess was unsurpassed, the spring system reinforced the already unique proposition. After the ID / DS models were several Citroëns equipped with hydropneumatic systems that are always refined for years to come. Systems that not only determined the constant driving height, but also operated things like brakes and power steering.

Part of own identity

Often combined with a quirky carriage design, the characteristic brand identity was retained. And although many Citroën (certainly in combination with this technique) was considered complex, many drivers vowed with their own identity. Whoever has driven an SM, GS, CX, BX, Xantia, XM, C5 or C6 knows how that specific driving experience can last. The person also knows how complex Citroën featherball technique can sometimes cause headaches. Enthusiasts have always liked to have those meditations for their beloved voices.

Alternative

Specific brand features are increasingly being suppressed today. Of course: there is still obstinacy within the polarizing car world. Also, or perhaps partly thanks to, the French brand. And that has indicated to maintain the comfortable standard with the new Progressive Hydraulic Cushions. And that is a system with two small dampers within the usual shock absorber. There is one damper for the incoming stroke and one for the outgoing. It is future music, which may soon be welcomed.

Stripe below benchmark

But with the production end of Citroën types with the old hydropneumatic systems with spring balls - most recently called Hydractive 3 - a line is drawn under a long-term episode that Citroën co-made great. And that period, in which the special suspension system was applied, made the brand an unmistakable benchmark in terms of driving comfort and driving safety. A benchmark, fortunately by the numerous present lovers of historical Citroën types will be honored for a long time.

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