Citroën GS

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The Citroën GS/GSA was an automobile produced by the French manufacturer Citroën between 1970 and 1986.

Purpose

For Citroën, the GS finally filled the enormous gap in its range, between the diminutive 2CV and Ami models, and the luxurious DS. Leaving this market gap open for 15 years was strategically a very poor move. This allowed other manufacturers entry into the most profitable market segment in France. Citroen declared bankruptcy in 1974.

The GS met with instant market acceptance and was the largest selling Citroën model for many years.

Style

The GS was voted European Car of the Year for 1971, and was an advanced car, with class leading comfort and safety.

The GS's car body style was a 'berline' (three lateral windows), with a sharp Kamm tail. The aerodynamics were the best of any vehicle at the time.

While not appearing unusual to modern post Ford Taurus eyes, it bore little resemblance to any other car on the market, until the development of the Citroën CX in 1974.

The GS was designed inhouse by Robert Opron. The original GS was a 4 door fastback sedan, a controversial layout where the trunk is separate from the passenger compartment. The GS was also available as a 4 station wagon/break and a similar 2 door service van, for commercial buyers.

The GS was updated in 1979 and badged the GSA. This vehicle adopted a more conventional hatchback for the sedan/berline models. The GSA models can be destinguished by their plastic bumpers. Among the unusual features on GSA models was a magnifying glass in front of cylinder-based speedometer and tachometer, similar in design to a bathroom scale.

Contemporary journalists remarked at the smooth ride quality—unlike anything in its class—the hydropneumatic suspension absorbs bumps and ripples that would be uncomfortable in a conventionally-sprung car resulting in just a slight body movement.

Though it won praise for the ingenuity of the design, shortcomings included manufacturing quality and corrosion resistance.

Mechanical layout

The vehicle had a front wheel drive layout and was powered by a Panhard-derived flat-4 air-cooled engine. A series of very small engines were available, displacing 1015, 1129, 1220 and 1299 cc. Power ranged from 55 to 65 hp.

Its central hydraulic system, powering the four disc brakes and the advanced hydropneumatic self-levelling suspension, derived from the Citroën DS.

GS Birotor

A two rotor GS was launched in 1973. Dubbed the Citroën GS Birotor (also called Citroën GZ), it featured a 110 hp Wankel birotor produced by Comotor. This style of motor is noted for its smooth power delivery that complements the luxurious ride quality automatically achieved with hydropneumatic suspension.

Under the skin, this car resembled the Citroën CX, an entirely new mechanical layout from the GS.

The Birotor version achieved poor sales and was quickly pulled from the market after 743 units sold. It was not economical for its size and was launched during the 1973 oil crisis.

The sales were so disappointing that Citroën attempted to buy back and scrap each Birotor, as it did not want to support the model with spare parts. A few of these remarkable vehicles have nonetheless survived in the hands of collectors.

External links

• la GS
• Citroën World - GS & GSA links
• GS at Citroenet
• GSA at Citroenet

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