This Gandini-designed hot hatch acts as mad as its looks.

with its adjustable hydropneumatic suspension, the Citroen BX literally lifts off the ground upon start-up.

Marcello Gandini was one of the best car designers to ever walk the planet.

His futuristic eye gave us stunners like the Lamborghini Miura, however later in life he earned commercial success by designing mass-produced vehicles with exotic ideologies.

One such car is the Citroen BX – a car originally planned to be a Volvo. The design is truly futuristic and matches Citroen’s avant-garde hydropneumatic suspension technology to a tee.

This example was also selected by features editor Rob Margeit from Channel Nine’s Drive to be reviewed as a modern classic.

Read his review here.

About the car pictured – 1990 Citroen BX 16 valve

A rare Australian-delivered Citroen BX 16-valve. This version was powered by the legendary Peugeot Citroen xu9 four-cylinder engine as per the Peugeot 406 Mi16.

Factory specification included a GTI-tuned hydropneumatic with unique spheres, five-speed manual transmission, air conditioning, sports seats and trip computer.

It was a four-owner car with a detailed service history from new. We sold it to Classic Throttle Shop.

Quick facts

What made this car special:

  • Rare BX 16-valve model
  • Australian-delivered new
  • 1.9-litre XU9 engine
  • Sports-tuned hydropneumatic suspension
  • Five-speed manual
  • Air-con, power steering and all electricals functioning
  • Four-owner car a full service history
  • Designed by Macello Gandini
It sounds good, like an atmo engine should, even at idle. The gearshift is tactile, too, with a decent throw and a precise gate.
Rob Margeit, Drive.com.au

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