From the Traction Avant to the New C3: Citroën’s DNA of Innovation

Artigo atualizado em 1 de July de 2026 por João Daniel

Citroën has never been an ordinary brand. Founded by André Citroën in 1919, the French manufacturer has always had “daring” as its main guiding principle. While other brands focused only on basic mechanics, Citroën introduced technologies that changed the world, such as mass production in Europe and the legendary [unclear – possibly “Engineer” or “Engineer”]. Traction Avant — the first high-volume car with front-wheel drive and a unibody construction.

In 2026, this legacy of “thinking outside the box” is reflected in philosophy. Citroën Advanced Comfort, which seeks to transform the car’s cabin into an extension of the driver’s living room, prioritizing acoustic comfort and a smooth ride.

Content: Icons that Changed History

To understand what Citroën represents today, one must look at its major milestones:

• DS “Tubarão” (1955): A car that seemed to have come from the future. It was the car that popularized hydropneumatic suspension, which allowed the car to run on only three wheels if necessary and maintain a constant level, regardless of the load.
• 2CV: The French “people’s car.” Created to be simple and robust enough to cross a plowed field carrying a basket of eggs without breaking any. This robustness is what Citroën tries to replicate in the… New C3 for Brazilian roads.
• C4 Pallas and VTR: In Brazil, these models from the 2000s brought technological luxury (such as the fixed-hub steering wheel) to a wider audience, consolidating the brand’s status of sophistication.

Solution: Maintaining the Performance of Modern Engines

Although complex hydropneumatic systems are a thing of the past, the current engines in the line (such as the 1.0 and 1.6) require care to maintain the French efficiency standard:

1. Fuel Injection System Cleaning: Due to the variable quality of fuel, it is recommended to perform preventive injector cleaning every 30,000 km to avoid ignition failures and loss of torque.
2. Automatic Transmission: In models equipped with the box EAT6 (Aisin)Very common in the C4 Cactus and new C3 models, preventive transmission fluid replacement at 60,000 km (even if the manual says it’s “lifetime”) is the secret to avoiding jolts and ensuring the longevity of the transmission.
3. Engine Mounts: Focusing on comfort, Citroën uses very soft engine mounts. If you feel excessive vibration in the steering wheel when starting the car, check the condition of these parts; early replacement prevents damage to other peripheral components.

Interesting fact: The first car to climb the Eiffel Tower.

André Citroën was a marketing genius. In 1925, he rented the Eiffel Tower and installed over 250,000 light bulbs to spell out the name “CITROËN” on the structure. The sign remained there for almost ten years and was so bright that it served as a beacon for aviators. This same audacity is what brought the brand to Brazil officially in the 1990s, betting on a design that no one else dared to offer.