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Citroën SM
| |
| Citroën SM | |
|---|---|
| Citroën | |
| aka | Project S |
| Production | 1970 - 1975 |
| Class | Grand tourer |
| Body Style | 2 door Coupe |
| Length | 489.3 cm (192.6 in) |
| Width | 183.6 cm (72.3 in) |
| Height | 132.4 cm (52.1 in) |
| Wheelbase | 290 cm (114.2 in) |
| Weight | 1460 kg (3219 lb) (Carburetted) 1520 kg (3351 lb) (Fuel-Injected) |
| Transmission | Manual 5-Speed Automatic 3-Speed |
| Engine | 2.7 litre "C114-1" V6 (1970-1972) 2.7 litre "C114-03" V6 (1973-1976) 3.0 litre "C114-11" V6 (1971-1975)' |
| Power | "C114-1" - 170 BHP. "C114-03" - 178 BHP. "C114-11" - 180 BHP |
| Similar | Citroën DS Maserati Merak Maserati Quattroporte II Citroën CX |
| Designer | Robert Opron |
The Citroën SM was a high performance coupé produced by the French manufacturer Citroën between 1970 and 1975. It was the first GT car from the company with high performance, comfort and safety, all in a Front-Wheel drive package. The SM placed third in the 1971 European Car of the Year contest, trailing its stablemate Citroën GS, and won the 1972 Motor Trend Car of the Year award in the US in 1972.
Styles and Major Options
The Citroen SM was only produced in one body style: Two doors, Fastback body and Left-Hand drive. Still, there are some different styles:
- Coachbuilder Henri Chapron produced 7 SM convertibles and 8 sedans. These are named Mylord and Opera respectively.
- Henri Chapron also modified 2 SM to be 4-Door convertibles. These were used by French presidents for parades.
- Heuliez made 2 SM Targa-Top dubbed Espace.
- Some SM were converted to Right-Hand drive in the UK and recently in Australia.
The standard wheels are made out of steel with stainless trims, but a factory option was available for lightweight wheels made of composites. These wheels weight is less than half the standard weight and are possibly a unique application of composites on a production vehicle.
An unusual option available was a set of luggage designed to fit perfectly into the SM's boot.
Pricing
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| MODEL Trims | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2.7L Carburetted | 2.7L Fuel-Injected | 3.0L Carburetted |
| MSRP | ||
| $Price1 | $Price2 | $Price3 |
| Invoice | ||
| $Price1 | $Price2 | $Price3 |
Gas Mileage
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As seen on the FuelEconomy.gov website, the City/Highway MPG averages are as follows:
| Trim | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2.7L Carburetted | 2.7L Fuel Injected | 3.0L Carburetted |
| MPG | ||
| 18.8 | ??? | ??? |
Engine and Transmission
The engine, dubbed "C114-1" was a Maserati derived 2.7L V6 developing 170 BHP. In 1971, it entered into production a new variant of the car featuring the same V6 but now with 2965cc of capacity and developing 180 BHP. It was dubbed "C114-11". These engines used Weber 42 DCNF carburettors and could be fitted with either a 5-Speed manual or a 3-Speed Borg Warner automatic gearbox. In 1973, the 2.7L V6 was fitted with Bosch D-Jetronic fuel injection, increasing the power to 178 BHP. This new engine was dubbed "C114-03". In 1974 till the end of production, the 5-Speed manual became unavailable for the 3.0L, leaving the automatic as the only gearbox for that model.
Performance
- Top Speed: 137 MPH.
- 0-60 MPH: 8.9 Sec.
Reliability
Warranty options and scheduled maintainence information should be mentioned here.
Safety
The wiper mechanism is 'sensitive' to rain and the windscreen featured De-Frosting capabilities.
The braking system, adapted from the DS, employs disk brakes at all four corners (the DS has drums at the rear), with the front brakes being inboard, and cooled via large ducts on the front underside of the car. The front/rear balance of the brakes is self-adjusted hydraulically according to the weight in the rear of the car.
The car featured 3-Point seat belts on all four seats and the steering column is adjustable in both height and reach.
It had 6 front lights (3 on each side), all of which featured iodine lamps and automatic attitude-correction devices (See Unique Attributes).
Photos
Colors
- Vert des Tropiques
- Sable métallisé
- Feuille dorée
- Rouge de Rio
- Blanc meije
- Bleu platine
- Gris nacré
- Noir
- Brun scarabée
- Vert argenté
- Rouge de Grenade
- Bleu d'Orient
- Bleu de Bregancon
- Or de Simiane
- Beige Tholonet
- Gris Largentière
- Blue Delta
- Brun Roquebrune
Main Competitors
Create links to other <MAKE> <MODEL> pages in this section.
Unique Attributes
The SM combines many unusual and innovative features, some of which are only just becoming commonplace on cars of today. It borrows heavily from the innovations introduced on the DS, by including hydro-pneumatic, self-leveling suspension and self-leveling lights that swiveled with the steering (Except in the USA, where these were illegal at the time).
The steering used a brand new system called "DIRAVI". Thanks to this, the steering is self-centering and fully-powered. This feature allows the front wheels to run near-zero caster, and means that there is no camber change as lock is applied, and also ensures that the maximum amount of tyre area is in contact with the road at all times. The system also adjusts the hydraulic pressure on the steering centering cam according to vehicle speed so that the amount of steering feel remained almost constant at any speed, counteracting the tendency of manual and ordinary power assisted steering to feel light at high speed. Thus the car turns easily at low speed, emphasized by high gearing given two turns lock-lock, and relatively more effort is required at higher speed. Many contemporary reviewers remarked that this system would take at least 50 miles (80 km) of driving to become familiar, but once the driver is accustomed to the system traditional steering feels old-fashioned.
The car was also well known for having a remarkable stopping distance thanks to the hydraulically assisted discs on all wheels.
Interior
This section should include information on the interior's design, build quality, ergonomics, space (head and legroom, front and rear), features, stowage compartments and overall comfortability and livability. Add pictures wherever applicable and keep information in a third-person point of view.
Resale Values
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| <MODEL> Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year X | Year X-2 | Year X-3 | Year X-4 |
| Resale Value | |||
| $ | $ | $ | $ |
Criticisms
Please make sure to keep critiques in a third-person point of view. If using criticisms from a reputable automotive source, then please make sure to cite the quote.
Worldwide
The car was sold in the US but it had to be fitted with different headlights as the ones used by the standard model were illegal in that time. The car left the US market quite soon as it could not compile with the bumpers safety requirements because of the hydropneumatic suspension used in the car.
The SM also suffered from poor sales in the UK, probably because it was only available in Left-Hand drive.
Design quirks and oddities
- Jay Leno has a stock 1972 Citroën SM in his classic car collection.
- Ben Stiller is kidnapped in a SM in the movie Zoolander.
- Janet Jackson appears in an SM in the video of her hit song "I Get Lonely".
Awards
Motor Trend - Car of the year 1972
See also
