CX at Brooklands

[jwalshe]

Was browsing some old DVDs and stumbled across a feature I hosted about Brooklands. Used to present a crummy TV programme years ago and was allowed to do part of it whilst driving on the old track there - using my own car (C888 XLJ - which evidently vanished in 2006)!

Attached are some screen grabs I thought you might find interesting. Wonder if it's the only CX to ever drive on the world's oldest race track?

[Citroening]

That's brilliant James - thanks for posting it up!

What TV programme was it out of interest?

[jwalshe]

A terrible and long-forgotten one from way back in 2000, Franklin...

[Citroening]

I had a feeling you'd say something along those lines...!

[robert_e_smart]

Go on, post the full video!

[jwalshe]

Here's a clip - which came just after closing the show: " onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Apologies for the hideousness of the driver.

[robert_e_smart]

You can't beat a CX GTI Turbo 2.

[jwalshe]

(Or in this case, a GX GTi Turbo 1)

[Citroening]

Very nice James, thanks for uploading that.

Indeed, can't beat a CX GTi Turbo - lovely cars.

[robert_e_smart]

Ok, Ok, but are the Turbo 2s not faster? I'd have a Series 1 Turbo if I had the choice though.

[Citroening]

Ok, Ok, but are the Turbo 2s not faster? I'd have a Series 1 Turbo if I had the choice though.

Well, "unoffically" they are, as the GTi Turbo 1 and the GTi Turbo 2s both had the same quoted power output of 168BHP!

First up was the Series 1 GTi Turbo, then the Series 2 GTi Turbo and finally the Series 2 GTi Turbo 2.

The Series 2 GTi Turbo 2 has the intercooler, and slightly different pistons and compression ratios due to the intercooler. AFAIK the actual turbocharger has some differences too. Also, the CX GTi Turbo 2s have smaller cc injectors too. The GTi Turbo 1's have a low ratio gearbox, so will affect the top speed slightly but by no means are the GTi Turbo 1s a slow car though...in their day, Dad used to have 'burn-ups' along the motorways and dual carriageways with Merc 190 Cosworths and came off best. 140 MPH is easily achievable...on private land of course, officer.

The GTI Turbo 2s are a quicker car and I think that they kept the same BHP figures due to French tax laws etc. I would say that the GTi Turbo 2s were running about 180BHP standard. ALL GTi Turbos or Turbo 2s have their own personality...you will not find two a-like...some are faster than others.

[jwalshe]

Franklin, you are officially a walking CX encyclopedia.

When I owned mine, I was sadly young and very stupid. Early one morning, I decided to see what my completely standard GTi Series 2 Turbo 1 would do (it was 4am on an empty M1, which in my head justified this pre-planned moment of utter lunacy).

So I set off, imagining I might be lucky to get 130 - as manufacturers are often a bit economical with the truth about such things as top speed.

When I slowed down after around five miles and the police officer finally caught up with me in his Volvo T5, he pointed out that I'd actually managed 144.3mph. The average speed was the item presented in court and naturally, I attended proceedings to admit that it was no more than an attempt to 'see what my car would do' and that I was desperately sorry.

6 points and a £300 fine. That was back in 1999 - wouldn't be so lucky nowadays!

So yes, the CX GTi Turbo is a very fast car. It took a magistrate to prove it. Aside from doing 180mph (whilst working for Evo Magazine and in a Diablo at the Millbrook bowl, I hasten to add), I never travelled so fast again and have stuck to speed limits ever since!

[Stormrage]

Ok, Ok, but are the Turbo 2s not faster? I'd have a Series 1 Turbo if I had the choice though.

Well, "unoffically" they are, as the GTi Turbo 1 and the GTi Turbo 2s both had the same quoted power output of 168BHP!

First up was the Series 1 GTi Turbo, then the Series 2 GTi Turbo and finally the Series 2 GTi Turbo 2.

The Series 2 GTi Turbo 2 has the intercooler, and slightly different pistons and compression ratios due to the intercooler. AFAIK the actual turbocharger has some differences too. Also, the CX GTi Turbo 2s have smaller cc injectors too. The GTi Turbo 1's have a low ratio gearbox, so will affect the top speed slightly but by no means are the GTi Turbo 1s a slow car though...in their day, Dad used to have 'burn-ups' along the motorways and dual carriageways with Merc 190 Cosworths and came off best. 140 MPH is easily achievable...on private land of course, officer.

The GTI Turbo 2s are a quicker car and I think that they kept the same BHP figures due to French tax laws etc. I would say that the GTi Turbo 2s were running about 180BHP standard. ALL GTi Turbos or Turbo 2s have their own personality...you will not find two a-like...some are faster than others.

You've answered a few things I've often wondered there!

Franklin, you are officially a walking CX encyclopedia.

When I owned mine, I was sadly young and very stupid. Early one morning, I decided to see what my completely standard GTi Series 2 Turbo 1 would do (it was 4am on an empty M1, which in my head justified this pre-planned moment of utter lunacy).

So I set off, imagining I might be lucky to get 130 - as manufacturers are often a bit economical with the truth about such things as top speed.

When I slowed down after around five miles and the police officer finally caught up with me in his Volvo T5, he pointed out that I'd actually managed 144.3mph. The average speed was the item presented in court and naturally, I attended proceedings to admit that it was no more than an attempt to 'see what my car would do' and that I was desperately sorry.

6 points and a £300 fine. That was back in 1999 - wouldn't be so lucky nowadays!

So yes, the CX GTi Turbo is a very fast car. It took a magistrate to prove it. Aside from doing 180mph (whilst working for Evo Magazine and in a Diablo at the Millbrook bowl, I hasten to add), I never travelled so fast again and have stuck to speed limits ever since!