Letter from J. Wolgensinger to Paul Magès regarding the SM steering (25 September 1970)

In this document

The note is signed J. Wolgensinger, dated 25 September 1970, with the reference E.113.12/BP, and addressed to M. Magès p. 11.

Wolgensinger indicates having driven the SM "for several thousand kilometres" with Messrs. Cardinal and Dubois Dumée, and having had it tested "by more than a hundred journalists" p. 11.

The verdict reported is very positive: "this steering represents a considerable step forward in the field of automotive driving", an opinion presented as "unanimous", with the testers' adaptation judged to be rapid p. 11.

Wolgensinger adds a forward-looking remark: according to him, it becomes difficult to return to a "classic steering" afterwards, and he questions the future of the DS, whose steering he judges too "vague" and "low-geared" compared to that of the SM. He suggests equipping it "with a more direct steering (even if the assistance is not variable)" p. 11.

Context

To place this document in context: the SM, launched by Citroën in 1970 in association with Maserati, inaugurated the DIRAVI, a power steering system with speed-sensitive return designed in particular by Paul Magès as an extension of his work on hydropneumatics. This steering, powered by the same high-pressure hydraulic circuit as the suspension and brakes, offered precision and force feedback considered very innovative for the time.

The DS, released in 1955, had an older power steering system, reputed to be light but lacking in feedback — this is precisely what Wolgensinger seems to regret when comparing it to the new SM.

Jacques Wolgensinger was, at that time, head of communication and press relations at Citroën, which explains the organisation of tests intended for a hundred journalists.

Archivist's perspective

This short internal note sheds light on the very favourable reception of the DIRAVI at the time of the SM's launch, directly from those who make it known to the public — the journalists.

It also shows that a Citroën communications executive felt comfortable enough to challenge Magès on a future technical direction: equipping the DS with more direct steering. It seems that this letter bears witness to a fairly direct dialogue between the technical and communications departments at Citroën at that time.

The document is situated in a period when Magès was dealing with several subjects related to road holding and technical developments, as evidenced by other contemporary pieces such as the Magès' response to the Mines department on road holding tests (7 November 1970) and the note on road holding regulations of the same day. These three documents date from the autumn of 1970, a pivotal period for the SM and its media influence.