Citroën CX 25 GTI (1985) – Hydropneumatic avant-garde in the fast lane

When Citroën unveiled the CX in 1974, expectations were sky high. For almost two decades, the DS had defined what technical avant-garde could look like in the mid-range and luxury classes. The CX was set to carry on this legacy – more modern, more rational, more economical. And yet it remained uncompromising in one respect: its technical independence.

The CX was never an ordinary car. With front-wheel drive, hydropneumatic suspension and a futuristic interior with satellite controls, it deliberately set itself apart from the German mainstream. Ten years after production began, the CX 25 GTI was added to the range, giving the comfort-oriented cruiser a new, dynamic dimension.

From the successor to the DS to the fast touring saloon

From the outset, the CX was designed as an aerodynamically optimised mass-produced saloon car. Its clean lines, gently sloping rear end and large glass area were not dictated by fashion trends, but by functional considerations. In 1975, the CX was voted ‘Car of the Year’ – an indication of how consistently Citroën had implemented the concept.

The 25 GTI was the response to a changing market environment in the early 1980s. BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Saab were offering powerful six-cylinder and turbo models. Citroën countered in its own way: not with rear-wheel drive and an inline six-cylinder engine, but with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and fuel injection.

The 2.5-litre engine delivered around 138 hp in the naturally aspirated GTI version. That was enough for a top speed of over 200 km/h – in combination with a chassis setup that was designed less for sportiness and more for high-speed stability. Even as a GTI, the CX remained not a sports car, but a fast long-distance car.

Unique technical feature of the Citroën CX 25 GTI

The real distinguishing feature remained the hydropneumatic suspension. While German competitors relied on conventional spring-damper combinations, the CX regulated its vehicle height independently, kept the level constant and decoupled unevenness in a way that was unique in this class.

The CX 25 GTI really came into its own on the motorway, with high directional stability, excellent straight-line stability and suspension comfort that did not diminish even at high speeds. This was not sporty harshness, but controlled sovereignty.

Visually, the GTI remained understated. Alloy wheels, discreet emblems and specific interior features such as a rev counter and sports seats signalled the more powerful engine without changing the character of the vehicle.

Market position in the 1980s

The CX 25 GTi competed with models such as the BMW 528i from the E28 series, the Mercedes-Benz 280 E and the Saab 900 Turbo. While BMW emphasised driving dynamics and Mercedes solidity, Citroën offered an alternative concept: front-wheel drive, hydropneumatic suspension and avant-garde ergonomics.

The buyer profile differed accordingly. The CX appealed less to conservative company car drivers and more to tech-savvy individualists. Those who chose a CX usually did so consciously against the German standard.

End of production and current classification

Production of the CX ended in 1991 after around 1.2 million units of all variants had been built. Its successor, the XM, continued the hydropneumatic tradition, but under tighter economic conditions.

Today, the CX 25 GTI is considered one of the most interesting versions of the series. Not as complex as the later Turbo, but significantly more sophisticated than the basic models, it combines classic Citroën technology with performance suitable for everyday use.

CX models were long underestimated on the market. Only in recent years has there been a cautious stabilisation in value, especially for well-preserved GTI variants. The decisive factors are the condition of the bodywork – corrosion is the key issue – and the condition of the hydropneumatic suspension and high-pressure system. Neglected maintenance can quickly become costly.

Depending on their condition and history, good vehicles currently typically sell for between £12,000 and £25,000, or the equivalent in Swiss francs. The market remains quality-oriented, with no signs of speculative exaggeration to date.

This Citroën CX 25 GTI (1985) is currently up for auction

Emil Frey Classic Auctions is currently auctioning a Citroën CX 25 GTI (1985), which was registered by its first owner in Leuggern, Aargau, in October 1985. After seven years of service, it was deregistered in December 1992 and presented by its second owner in Full-Reuenthal in January 1993 with a good 115,600 kilometres on the clock. The second owner kept the CX until 2019, but did not redeem it and only drove it sporadically. In 2019, the current owner took it over. Today, this wonderfully preserved CX is in a rust-free, unwelded condition with only 133,000 kilometres on the clock.

The paintwork in Gris Espadon has probably never been renewed, except for the bonnet. This GTI also has its original alloy wheels. From 2019 onwards, the ignition coils, hoses, water and fuel pumps, brakes, cuffs, steering and hydraulics, clutch, seals, fuel tank and tyres were replaced or repaired, with all receipts available. In addition, this CX received a new radiator and a service.

Conclusion

The Citroën CX 25 GTI represents a time when Citroën deliberately took a different technical path and did not follow the German mainstream. It combines high cruising speed with exceptional comfort and a clearly recognisable design identity.

In today’s market, it is less of an investment object than a technical statement. Anyone who finds a well-maintained example will acquire one of the most distinctive saloons of the 1980s – with a driving experience that still feels unique even four decades later.

In addition to the Citroën CX 25 GTI (1985), numerous other special classics will be auctioned by Emil Frey Classic Auctions on 14 March 2026.
You can find the other auction vehicles here.

Photos Emil Frey Classic Auctions

Author: Classic Trader

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