Wednesday 8th May 2013

Citroen BX 16V: PH Ad Break

How does the Lamborghini designer get to work? Erm, in a Citroen, apparently...

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As you may have read recently, we've just welcomed a Citroen BX GTI 16V onto the PH Fleet. And as a result, Scrof's been doing the classic 'I've just bought a new car' thing of catching up with the lore - in other words, reading old road tests, watching old videos - and finding this gem of an advert.

'I made this. And this.'

It dates from some time in the early 90s. The Phase Two 16v had just been launched, now without the GTI badging, and Citroen's main marketing tactic was to tell all and sundry about... erm... another car.

That car, you see, was the Lamborghini Countach, and while the connection was on slim ground (as the ad suggests, it amounted to the fact that Marcello Gandini designed both) Citroen clearly hoped the image of the mad Lambo's supercar performance would rub off. Such a comparison was tenuous at best; it wasn't that the 16V was slow for its time, but it could hardly compare with the thrust of that V12.

Spoiler-mounted foliage was a rare option

Still, that didn't deter the announcer. Over the strains of a string quartet - a sure sign of class in any early 90s advert (see Ferrero Rocher, if in any doubt) - he introduces in dulcet tones Sig. Gandini and explains why he chooses to drive his BX to work. Apparently, it's nothing to do with the "beating heart with 16 vaaahhlves" - seems he's just too damn classy for all that "machismo" - instead, he's merely "enjoying his work". How utterly splendid. Mind you, half the time he's supposedly driving it, the suspension looks to be set to low (see the top screenshot) which Citroen says you shouldn't do. Tut tut, Marcello.

Admittedly, on its normal setting, the BX does look a little incongruous winding its way through picture-perfect rural Italy, where one might sooner expect a slinky Alfa Spider or a battered Fiat Tempra to be trundling around. Although on second thoughts, most BXs look a little incongruous anywhere that isn't outer space or France. But with that de-rigeur red graduated filter, this ad feels like the height of early 90s class. Or an attempt at it, anyway.

 

 

[marcosgt]

My wife was once lent a very ratty old 8v GTi and it was absolutely brilliant to drive.

Honestly, most people would probably prefer driving the BX every day to a Countach! Especially in Italian city traffic!

M.

[stephen300o]

I remember that add, I was working at Citroen at the time. Never could trust that suspension.

[astra la vista]

acceleration time - yes
top speed - yes

CO2 levels - no
combined cycle MPG - no
safety features - no
in-car technology - no
gap toothed young boy with girls hair in the back seat - no

from the days when car adverts were about driving rather than lifestyle.

don't bother replying with "manufacturers are in business to make money"...yawn. let me enjoy the moment.

[Tubbycharged]

Sounds like Anthony Hopkins on the voiceover....

[toppstuff]

The BX seems to have disappeared, sadly. They seem to have crumbled to dust.

A shame. When very young I managed to drive a BX GTI for six months while the owner was posted overseas.

I really liked it..

Are there any left?

[Prawnboy]

i really want one of those, (not the lambo)

severe tony scotting of the filming too!

[clubsportguy]

I once worked at a Citroen dealership in Manchester and I love the 16v, as it had a wonderful sound. Sometimes one of two seemed to have just a little bit be more poke.How many are left I'm wondering ????

[loudlashadjuster]

toppstuff said:

The BX seems to have disappeared, sadly. They seem to have crumbled to dust.

A shame. When very young I managed to drive a BX GTI for six months while the owner was posted overseas.

I really liked it..

Are there any left?

Howmanyleft seems to reckon just over 250 of all versions, with less than 100 being on the road.

[BuzzLightyear]

Aahh! I had one of the Phase 1 16 valves back in the late 80's - great car to drive over long distances ( although not as good as a CX) with a decent ride / handling compromise and enough poke (for then, anyway).

I kept it for about 3 years then my sister had it for another 4 or 5 and it was pretty reliable and fairly inexpensive to maintain but it's years since I last saw one...

[mr2j]

I hate when youtube videos are uploaded in the incorrect aspect ratio. I want there to be a little option where you can change how your viewing it. That said, stretching out the BX does wonders for it's looks.

[RiccardoG]

This era of advertising is just so

[stephen300o]

I preferred the Visa GTI, quite a little rocket. For it's day of course.

[Kitchski]

I drove to work in one this morning as it goes. I drive a lot of different cars of all types and I can safely say I do enjoy driving it.

Not sure I'll enjoy driving it to the dentist in a bit though.....

[Kitchski]

Forgot to say, the ironic thing with this advert is that Gandini designed the BX, including the GTi 16v (ph1).
The BX 16v with the bigger bumpers as featured in this ad was an in-house Citroen design, not Gandini.
That said, the design of the bumpers leans heavily on the BX Sport of the mid-80's.

[Adrian W]

I had a 4x4 version as a company car, went and handled really well for the time, drank oil like you wouldn't believe

[duke911]

I had one but the mk 1 version, remember it well very fast car at the time & well kitted out,engine derived from the much loved group.C. peugeot T16 Rally car. was quicker than equivilant peugeot Mi16 405 because the BX was alowed to rev higher.supension was nice once working correctly.

[Evo]

Always wanted my parents to get the GTI 16v back in the day, instead they preferred the 19RD's and DTR's,

Still, that didn't stop me lapping them at the trackdays I helped run

Oh that and un-screwing the throttle cable so they didn't know how many miles I'd been driving

[GranCab]

stephen300o said:

I preferred the Visa GTI, quite a little rocket. For it's day of course.

I preferred the Citroen Visa advert as well - with the Inspector Clouseau look-alike ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxf6UFxrZf8

[Evo]

GranCab said:

stephen300o said:

I preferred the Visa GTI, quite a little rocket. For it's day of course.

I preferred the Citroen Visa advert as well - with the Inspector Clouseau look-alike ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxf6UFxrZf8

Now that's how to advertise a car lol

[Kitchski]

GranCab said:

stephen300o said:

I preferred the Visa GTI, quite a little rocket. For it's day of course.

I preferred the Citroen Visa advert as well - with the Inspector Clouseau look-alike ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxf6UFxrZf8

Good ad, but I prefer this one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPSBp4X3C7Y