Citroen Traction Avant – 90th Anniversary (1934-2024)
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▪ Nicknamed the car with 100 patents, it combined the most modern solutions of the time. In addition to front-wheel drive, it notably featured a monocoque structure, hydraulic brakes, and independent suspension on all four wheels.
▪ Its distinctive silhouette, recognizable at a glance, has captivated several generations.
▪ First presented on April 18, 1934, as the "7" it soon adopted the name "Traction Avant" referring to its mode of transmission.
▪ A true benchmark for road holding and comfort, the Traction Avant continued production until 1957.
▪ Full of innovations, Traction Avant is still inspiring the brand in both comfort and technical solutions.
Citroën is celebrating the 90th anniversary of the Traction Avant, which was unveiled in Paris on 18 April 1934. Designed to make a lasting impression, it was intended to relaunch Citroën and highlight the innovative spirit of a manufacturer that had been the first to import mass-produced cars to Europe in 1919, and had invented, among other things, the autochenille in 1921, the all-steel body in 1924 and the floating engine in 1932. Launched under the commercial name "7" in reference to its tax rating, it was quickly nicknamed the Traction Avant, an innovation that had just been introduced and which it put forward.
The Traction Avant was unique in that it brought together in a single model all the most modern technical solutions of the time, such as front-wheel drive, a monocoque structure, hydraulic brakes and independent suspension on all four wheels. At the time, it was considered to be the car with the best road holding, the safest and the most comfortable. Throughout its career, it benefited from technological developments and was nicknamed the car with 100 patents. Its distinctive aerodynamic styling, inspired by the Streamline, quickly made it an emblematic Citroën model that would endure the test of time and evoke an imagination of resistance fighters and gangsters that was perpetuated in numerous films. 760,000 examples of the Traction Avant were sold, and production ended in 1957.
It is still an emblem for the Marque, embodying its promise of design and comfort for the mobility of as many people as possible. These values are still reflected today in the new ë-C3, which demonstrates innovation to make electric mobility accessible, and the C5 X grand tourer, which brings together all the elements to make every journey a moment of absolute serenity.
The Traction Avant Revolution, the Car with 100 Patents
When it was decided in early 1933 to replace the Citroën 8, 10, and 15, which had been introduced in October 1932, André Citroën aimed to make a significant impact and outpace all competition by launching a completely revolutionary car. His goal was to gain at least a two-year lead to also shield from the effects of the early 1930s global economic crisis then being felt across Europe. This new car would therefore be particularly remarkable and gather a maximum of technical innovations.
Included were an all-steel monocoque body that eliminated the need for a chassis and significantly lowered the center of gravity, front-wheel drive, an overhead valve engine with removable sleeves, hydraulic brake control, four-wheel independent torsion bar suspension, and an automatic transmission. Due to time constraints, however, the automatic transmission was omitted from the initial 1934 production models.
Besides these technical innovations, the chassis-less Traction featured a lowered, aerodynamic body both in its lines and flat bottom. Lastly, its compact motor and gearbox assembly, in addition to its very low center of gravity, allowed for the maximal front-weight distribution. The first journalists and drivers were ecstatic about the new Citroën. Never before had a car enabled such safe and easy driving in all conditions. Its road-holding set a new standard. The engine was responsive, the brakes were powerful, and the safety was impeccable. These qualities, constantly enhanced, such as adopting rack and pinion steering in June 1936, ensured the Traction a technical lead over all other cars, leading to a brilliant and exceptionally long career that only ended in July 1957.
▪ Its distinctive silhouette, recognizable at a glance, has captivated several generations.
▪ First presented on April 18, 1934, as the "7" it soon adopted the name "Traction Avant" referring to its mode of transmission.
▪ A true benchmark for road holding and comfort, the Traction Avant continued production until 1957.
▪ Full of innovations, Traction Avant is still inspiring the brand in both comfort and technical solutions.
Citroën is celebrating the 90th anniversary of the Traction Avant, which was unveiled in Paris on 18 April 1934. Designed to make a lasting impression, it was intended to relaunch Citroën and highlight the innovative spirit of a manufacturer that had been the first to import mass-produced cars to Europe in 1919, and had invented, among other things, the autochenille in 1921, the all-steel body in 1924 and the floating engine in 1932. Launched under the commercial name "7" in reference to its tax rating, it was quickly nicknamed the Traction Avant, an innovation that had just been introduced and which it put forward.
The Traction Avant was unique in that it brought together in a single model all the most modern technical solutions of the time, such as front-wheel drive, a monocoque structure, hydraulic brakes and independent suspension on all four wheels. At the time, it was considered to be the car with the best road holding, the safest and the most comfortable. Throughout its career, it benefited from technological developments and was nicknamed the car with 100 patents. Its distinctive aerodynamic styling, inspired by the Streamline, quickly made it an emblematic Citroën model that would endure the test of time and evoke an imagination of resistance fighters and gangsters that was perpetuated in numerous films. 760,000 examples of the Traction Avant were sold, and production ended in 1957.
It is still an emblem for the Marque, embodying its promise of design and comfort for the mobility of as many people as possible. These values are still reflected today in the new ë-C3, which demonstrates innovation to make electric mobility accessible, and the C5 X grand tourer, which brings together all the elements to make every journey a moment of absolute serenity.
The Traction Avant Revolution, the Car with 100 Patents
When it was decided in early 1933 to replace the Citroën 8, 10, and 15, which had been introduced in October 1932, André Citroën aimed to make a significant impact and outpace all competition by launching a completely revolutionary car. His goal was to gain at least a two-year lead to also shield from the effects of the early 1930s global economic crisis then being felt across Europe. This new car would therefore be particularly remarkable and gather a maximum of technical innovations.
Included were an all-steel monocoque body that eliminated the need for a chassis and significantly lowered the center of gravity, front-wheel drive, an overhead valve engine with removable sleeves, hydraulic brake control, four-wheel independent torsion bar suspension, and an automatic transmission. Due to time constraints, however, the automatic transmission was omitted from the initial 1934 production models.
Besides these technical innovations, the chassis-less Traction featured a lowered, aerodynamic body both in its lines and flat bottom. Lastly, its compact motor and gearbox assembly, in addition to its very low center of gravity, allowed for the maximal front-weight distribution. The first journalists and drivers were ecstatic about the new Citroën. Never before had a car enabled such safe and easy driving in all conditions. Its road-holding set a new standard. The engine was responsive, the brakes were powerful, and the safety was impeccable. These qualities, constantly enhanced, such as adopting rack and pinion steering in June 1936, ensured the Traction a technical lead over all other cars, leading to a brilliant and exceptionally long career that only ended in July 1957.
