Performance Review: Citroen CX 25 GTi Turbo - [1984]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Citroen CX Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Citroen CX 25 GTi Turbo is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1984. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1985 Lamborghini Countach LP5000S QV and the 1984 Audi Quattro Sport 2.2 T.This particular Citroen CX has a 2500cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The CX shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the CX's Front Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1409 kgs (3106 lbs) this makes the Citroen CX 25 GTi Turbo in the same weight category as the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged Auto or the give or take 50kg.

The Citroen CX shares the same bhp with the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp)

In terms of power the 2500cc 8V St4 engine produces 166 bhp (123 kW) @ 5000 rpm similar to the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp) or the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp).

The Turbo St4 throws out 217 lb-ft (294.2 Nm) @ 3250 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (236 lb-ft) or the 2020 McLaren Sabre 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (206 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Citroen CX you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1956 Ford Thunderbird 312 (142.8 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Citroen CX.

The Citroen CX has a Power to weight ratio of 117.8 bhp per ton and 154.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1984 CX competing with the 1956 Ford Thunderbird 312 (142.8 bhp per ton) or the 2007 Volvo S40 T5 2.5 Turbo AWD (142.7 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Citroen CX generating around 154.0 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1978 Ford Mustang 2 King Cobra (178.8 lb-ft per ton) or the 1966 Ferrari 365 California 4.4 V12 (178.6 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 8.20 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 8.5 secs, this made the Citroen CX 25 GTi Turbo as fast as the 2006 Seat Leon 2.0 16v TDI FR (8.20 secs) the 2005 Land-Rover Range Rover 4.4 V8 (8.20 secs) the 2003 BMW X5 3.0d (8.20 secs) the or the 2000 Honda Civic 2.0i VTEC Type S (8.20 secs). This Citroen CX 25 GTi Turbo is also faster than the 2007 Renault Megane Renaultsport 2.0 dCi 175 (8.30 secs) the 2005 Peugeot 407 3.0 V6 Coupe (8.30 secs) the 2005 Mazda MX5 1.8i (8.30 secs) the and the 2001 Volkswagen-VW Lupo 1.6 GTi (8.30 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the CX and the 1989 Lotus Elan SE

When talking about the performance of the Citroen CX on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 16.37 secs @ 83.6 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1989 Lotus Elan SE (16.31 secs), the 2005 Cadillac STS 4.6 V8 Sport Luxury (16.31 secs), and the 1986 BMW 3 Series M3 E30 (16.34 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1984 version of the Citroen CX 25 GTi Turbo has a maximum speed of 129mph.

Top Speed of the 1984 CX equals the 2021 BMW i4 M50 (140 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1984 Citroen CX 25 GTi Turbo then how about the 2021 BMW i4 M50 (140 mph), the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (140 mph), or the 2019 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus (140 mph).

Related Links:

1984 CX Rivals List.

A Brief History of Citroen

Car Comparison