CITROËN TRACTION AVANT
Radical innovation, beautiful lines and a thoroughly up to date driving experience make the stunning Citroën Traction Avant a unique car, according to Will Holman.
Innovative, ground-breaking, a technological tour de force... It sounds like I’ve dropped my pack of marketing speak playing cards, but the Citroën Traction Avant is all of these things and more besides. A genuinely iconic car born in the interwar period, it remains a testament to innovation, design, and resilience.
Conceived in the early 1930s by the visionary André Citroën, the Traction Avant revolutionized the automotive industry with its game-changing technical achievements, shaping the future of not only car design but automotive manufacturing too. In an era dominated by rear-wheel-drive vehicles, the Traction Avant stood out as a marvel, introducing a host of pioneering features. Launched in 1934, it was the world’s first mass-produced front-wheeldrive car. This breakthrough design not only enhanced traction and stability, but also allowed for a more spacious and comfortable interior, and the TA was the first in a long line of Citroëns to set a new standard for driving dynamics.
Under the skin the Traction
Avant featured a novel unitary body construction, with the chassis and body integrated into a single structure. This approach provided not only structural rigidity, but also reduced weight, contributing to the car’s nimble handling and fuel efficiency. The combination of frontwheel-drive and unitary construction is the way of the world today, but back then it was a revelation, influencing car design for decades to come.
Powering the Traction Avant was a range of engines, with four-cylinder units ranging from 1.3-litres to 1.9-litres, plus a 2.9-litre six. The small unit was also ahead of its time, featuring an aluminium alloy engine block and hemispherical combustion chambers to deliver a respectable amount of power for the era, something which contributed to the car’s reputation for smooth performance.
One of the distinctive features of the Traction Avant was its advanced suspension system. At a time when most cars were suspended on nothing more advanced than cart springs all round, Citroën employed the revolutionary independent suspension with torsion bar springs, providing a comfortable and smooth ride even on rough roads. The hydropneumatic suspension system later developed by Citroën owes its roots to the Traction Avant’s innovative approach to chassis dynamics – it first appeared on the very rare 6H version of 1954, the H standing for hydropneumatic, Citroën’s selflevelling suspension being fitted to the back wheels only.
The Traction Avant was not just a technical marvel, it also had a significant impact on the automotive industry and the concept of mass production. Citroën’s forward-thinking assembly line techniques and modular construction methods paved the way for more efficient and cost-effective manufacturing processes to come. This approach influenced other automakers worldwide, contributing to the evolution of modern production methods and bringing car ownership within the reach of more and more people.
So much for the social history, but the Citroën Traction Avant is also an alluring prospect for classic car enthusiasts who may have little interest in the notions of an iconic design and historical significance.
They will be more drawn to its timeless design, with a sleek and aerodynamic outline and a distinctive shape that is characterized by a tapered rear end and a gracefully curved front. That and the unique driving experience which is the proverbial icing on the gateau – despite its age, the Traction Avant is thoroughly enjoyable to pilot, with that combination of front-wheel-drive, independent suspension and a wellengineered chassis providing a smooth and comfortable ride. Driving a Traction Avant is a remarkable experience, like stepping back in time in some ways while still enjoying the road in a way that modern cars often fail to deliver.
As you’d imagine, there’s a dedicated community of enthusiasts and clubs worldwide, with a wealth of shared knowledge, resources and a passion for preserving these automotive treasures. All of this ensures that values will only rise with the passing years, but that’s likely to be of little interest because once you have experienced the joys of TA ownership, the chances are that you won’t want to sell it anyway. For those seeking a unique and rewarding ownership experience, the Traction Avant stands as a testament to a bygone, nonhomogenised era, while also offering the joy of driving a true automotive icon.