Note from J. Wolgensinger to Paul Magès on the first SM trials (1970)

In this document

This is a typed internal note, signed "J. WOLGENSINGER" and referenced "E.113.12/BP", dated 25 September 1970 in the header, addressed to "M. MAGES".

The test report

The author indicates having, with "Messrs. Cardinal, Dubois Dumée and myself", driven "the SM for several thousand kilometres" p. 1. He also specifies that the car was "made available for testing to over a hundred journalists" p. 1.

The judgment on the steering

Wolgensinger reports to Magès that he "was quite right": the SM's steering "represents a considerable step forward in the field of automotive driving" p. 1. He adds that it is "the unanimous opinion" and that "the necessary adaptation always took place very quickly" p. 1.

The comparison with the DS

The author notes that it becomes "much more difficult" to then return to "a conventional steering system", and that "after the SM it is no longer possible for the DS to retain such a 'vague' and low-geared steering" p. 1. He directly asks Magès: "What are we waiting for to equip it with more direct steering (even if the assistance is not variable)?" p. 1.

Context

The SM is the high-end coupé launched by Citroën in 1970, the result of a collaboration with Maserati, renowned in particular for its variable-ratio power steering, called DIRAVI — one of the major innovations developed under the impetus of Paul Magès. The DS, unveiled on 6 October 1955, featured a more conventional power steering system, judged by contrast to be less precise; at that date, Magès, who joined Citroën in August 1925 and was already the creator of the hydropneumatic suspension plans in 1944, held a position of recognized technical authority in the design office, which explains the confident tone of this note (autobiographical notes ; hydropneumatic suspension plans).

Jacques Wolgensinger was, at that time, head of public relations and communication at Citroën, which explains his role in organizing trials for the automotive press.

Archivist's perspective

This short note illustrates, it seems, the rapid recognition obtained by the DIRAVI among professionals and journalists as soon as it was presented on the SM p. 1.

It is notable that the author does not merely congratulate Magès for his invention: he directly calls upon him to suggest an evolution of the DS steering, which testifies to the technical authority that Magès, then deputy head of Super-Control after forty-five years with the company, had acquired within Citroën and the trust placed in his judgment (p. 1 ; autobiographical notes).

This document, brief but dense, would deserve to be compared with other documents relating to the development of the SM or the genesis of the DIRAVI to better situate the place of this feedback in Magès's correspondence.