Corbel note to Grosseau: aerodynamics and speeds of vehicle G versus D, S and competitors (4 May 1970)

In this document

This technical note, signed by Corbel and addressed to Mr. Grosseau, referenced "70.05.04. AE" and dated "4.5.70" p. 127, concerns the "VEHICLE G." — an automotive project designated solely by its code letter.

Comparative aerodynamics (G, D, S)

A first table compares the frontal area, the drag coefficient (C_x) and the C_x S product of vehicles G, D and S:

It is specified that this "C_x S" corresponds to a full-scale vehicle, the measurement having been carried out "on a 1/5 scale model" p. 127.

Maximum speeds versus competitors

A second table compares the performance of vehicle G, tested with several engine powers, against three competing models:

The page also bears a handwritten annotation "M Magès" underlined, as well as a red handwritten mention "4-05-70" and a large number "70".

Context

The "D" and "S" vehicles designated here refer, in all historical likelihood, to the Citroën DS and ID/Safari (S), the brand's flagship ranges at that time. "Vehicle G" would correspond to a project in development at the turn of the 1970s — a period when Citroën was working on new small and medium-displacement models, in a context of direct competition with the Peugeot 204, the Renault 12 and the Simca 1100, cited in the note.

These three competing models were, in the 1970s, benchmarks in the French popular sedan segment.

Archivist's perspective

This document illustrates the systematic comparative work carried out at Citroën to position a new vehicle against the existing range and the competition, based on two key criteria: aerodynamics and top speed.

The presence of the name "Magès" in a handwritten annotation p. 127 is part of his career at Citroën, where he joined in August 1925 and remained for 49 years, moving from technical writer to deputy head of Super-Control and the design office (autobiographical notes); in 1970, he was therefore fully active, which likely explains his monitoring of this file, although his precise role in this note remains unspecified.

This document is located in a folder covering the years 1960-1970; it can be compared, for the general context of the work of the period, to the Summary of folder 60-74, which lists the decisions and projects of this same archive folder.