Citroën GS
The Citroën GS is a front-engine, front-drive, four or five door, five passenger family car manufactured and marketed by Citroën in two series: for model years 1970–1979 in fastback saloon and estate bodystyles and subsequently as the GSA for model years 1980–1986 in hatchback and estate body styles – the latter after a facelift. Combined production reached approximately 2.5 million.
| Citroën GS/GSA | |
|---|---|
Citroën GS | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Citroën |
| Also called | Citroën GSX |
| Production | 1970–1986 |
| Assembly | Rennes, France (Chartres-de-Bretagne quarter) Arica, Chile Jakarta, Indonesia (Gaya Motor) Mozambique Mangualde, Portugal Vigo, Spain Port Elizabeth, South Africa Bangkok, Thailand Koper, Yugoslavia (Cimos) Mutare, Zimbabwe |
| Designer | Robert Opron |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Small family car (C) |
| Body style | 4-door fastback 5-door hatchback 5-door estate 3-door van |
| Layout | Front-engine, front-wheel-drive |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 1,015 cc air-cooled H4 1,129 cc air-cooled H4 1,222 cc flat-4 air-cooled 1,299 cc flat-4 air-cooled 1,990 cc Wankel engine |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,550 mm (100.39 in) |
| Length | 4,120–4,180 mm (162.18–164.58 in) |
| Width | 1,600–1,620 mm (62.99–63.78 in) |
| Height | 1,350 mm (53.17 in) |
| Curb weight | 900 kg (1,984 lb) (saloon) 950 kg (2,094 lb) (hatchback) 925 kg (2,039 lb) (3-door van) (all weights approximate) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Panhard 24 Panhard PL 17 |
| Successor | Citroën BX and Citroën ZX |
Noted for its aerodynamic body shape with a drag coefficient of 0.318, fully independent hydro-pneumatic brakes and self-levelling suspension, and air-cooled flat-four engine, the GS was styled by Robert Opron, with a low nose, a two-box silhouette, semi-enclosed rear wheels and a sharply vertical Kamm-tail.
When the GS was named the European Car of the Year for 1971, the design was noted as technologically advanced, with class leading comfort, safety and aerodynamics.
In the March 1971 issue of CAR magazine, automotive journalist L.J.K. Setright noted that with the arrival of the GS, the automotive industry would have to re-evaluate its offerings, seeing what he described as a "lemming-like rush towards a sea of mediocrity…"