Citroen SM - road test

[Gnaget20]

How about Cadillac Eldorado front wheel drive V8......

[HairyInLondon1]

JUST AWESOME



[djt1967ss]

What a piece of shit.

[samados969]

@djt1967ss

Tss tss

[DuhamelEW10J4S]

@djt1967ss you are a piece of shit

[PoggiiBonsii]

3:19 idi amin!!???? was there really nobody else they could think off ?

[trey4700]

how old this recording if this is bbc i dont see jermy richard and james

[interlink45]

I owned this car for 5 years, selling it in 2001, I toured europe in it quite a few times, even competing in a few RAC eurotours, it was on the front page of a few classic magazines when i had it, I also Thrashed it around a few race circuits as well, Spa, Lydon, Nurenburgring old and new, Castle coome, the fastest i've been in it was 228kmph at the Ceram high speed oval cuirdit near paris. Its a real shame about the reputation that precedes these cars, when i had it never missed a beat.

[cawimmer430]

THIS IS A CAR.

None of that overrated Lexus bullshit.

God I love Citroen. Such an underrated brand by all those dumbasses who think a reliable Toyota Corolla is somehow the greatest car ever made. Bunch of morons.

[Hot80s]

i still cry when a drunken burt reynolds beats the shit out of a SM listening to Mr. Saturday night special & then dumps it in the river.

[moonsault2506123]

even the bionic man owned one(lee majors)!.

[TrakDah]

which one would you get, this or the Alfa Romeo Montréal? And why?

[samados969]

@TrakDah

This one, but it's normal for me, i'm a big fan of Citroën ;D

[kenjoje]

gay mod hairdo

[mtpylkka11]

That Maserati 2.7 V6 was maybe the most unreliable engine in the world.

[Fluffets]

@mtpylkka11 As a car, this was a gem.... but alas, that was the one lacking, scary part of this model. Gorgeous... but the Timing Chain requiring Full Service every 25,000 miles was insane. Truly, that was just about the only thing keeping me from buying one every time the opportunity came. Still... I give kudos to the ride and visual experience..... now just put a less finicky engine in there, and I'm sold!

[oiseautempete]

@mtpylkka11

Yes it's true,this Maserati engine was a misconcept, but now it's possible to take this engine reliable like any another with some modifications , but it's expansive...

[AnonymoussourceL0L]

I still think the Citroen DS was the best.

[wootness3000]

No matter what he's saying.. this guy always looks angry saying it.

[MrTBA97]

I love classic citroëns so much (:

[defiraphi]

Citroën from 1930 to 1992 the best , but then Citroën from 1993 to nowadays shitty cars nothing beautiful shitty designs , i want true designers from the outside and inside cars , now all is plastic so cold and need to be cheap for everyone, instead to make a car with high reliable and durable material to have a car for your life and not these shitty cars from these last 15 years as they don't even make me dream anymore , i want the oldstyle back

[McLarenMercedes]

@defiraphi

Sadly major car companies today are ruled by public surveys of what the consumers want. Ever wondered why many Japanese cars are so bland? The average consumer is a bland person who doesn't want to shock his fellow humans, so they go with the herd.

I don't think any car manafacturer today would dare take such a bold step Citroen did in 1955 with the DS.

[beowulf3075]

Looks like a British registration ?

[MrTBA97]

@beowulf3075 It is!

[DolleHengst]

The brakes on all Citroens work like that, also the ones without hydraulics.

It's not a matter of how far you push the pedal, but how hard you push it.

It's like the brakes on a supersport motorcycle. You can pull the lever about an inch, and then, when the brake pads hit the discs, it feels rock solid. You can't pull the lever any further. From that point, the force with wich you pull decides how hard you brake. But the lever isn't gonna move any further.

Same goes for a Citroen brake pedal.

[13madbob]

is this old topgear?

[cacanus]

une voiture de merde

[konrad4212]

@cacanus did ya get to drive one??? probably not.

[baconsandwich2007]

Dear Santa..............!

[blackpool321]

Gorgeous

[TheHoldcar]

Très belle voiture,bravo

[Pnoerre]

I have got a very good hint for you to keeping the nice old Sports Engine in good shape with todays ultra dry eco fuels: Use 1:100 API TC two stroke oil / fuel mix as regular driving fuel, that keeps the old fuel-system gaskets, rubber parts, alloy parts etc... and cast iron metal surfaces of those vintage engines in excellent shape...and it also lubricates the valves and upper piston regions. Most Mercedes vintage owners in Germany do so :) Also keeps carbs and EFi injectors clean as new!

[SRB7207]

The SM was the first Citroen model who had the DIRAVI power steering, by far the best steering system that ever was put in a car. Also used in all CX models from 1982 and early XM-V6 models. DIRAVI steering was also used by RollsRoyce and Jaguar by permission from Citroen. No other car maker have yet (40years later) managed to roll out a better steering system.

[bidoumoi1]

La plus belle voiture au monde

[jakemiller5000]

People, specifically Toyota/Lexus cocksuckers, claim that "French cars are unreliable". I wish these assholes would watch THIS VIDEO and learn something about the innovation the French auto industry gave us that SHITS ALL OVER ANYTHING TOYOTA AND OVERPRICED TOYOTA ever gave us. Give me a Citroen, Renault, Peugeot, Simca, Talbot, Matra, Delahaye etc. ANY DAY over some piece of shit Toyota/Lexus with zero style, emotion and appeal. Man, I want Citroen back in the US. Fuck Consumer Reports!

[McLarenMercedes]

@jakemiller5000

Some "unreliable" cars were that only because they were plagued with construction problems for the foreign market (which often differed from country to country). Also a shortage of spare parts and bad customer service killed those cars in the mind of the consumer.

In my own country Italian cars have a bad rep among the consumers. Mostly because many of them rusted away.

[57BelAir]

i think the Caddy eldorado and Old tornado outa have a talk with the Citroen SM over the "most powerful FWD car in the world" of that era

now in europe, i wont argue that :)

[TheZaraff1]

mitica CITROEN THE BEST

[bufbis2340]

British are real car lovers, in France we do not have such interesting videos.

[SRB7207]

Citroens amazing DIRAVI power steering system STILL is leader of the pack. Keep in mind it was developen in the seventies, how about that...

[SpeedFreakNO]

I first noticed and started liking the XM, then I noticed its predecessor, the CX, and it's so beautiful! And now, the SM :O Such a beautiful car!

[MrPaseante]

only citroen coul replace the brake pedal for a botton lol I love the old citroen!!

[smellytoilet1996]

I think I saw this in 5th gear but I'm not sure

She is one of the few European cars I like

[TheZaraff1]

beautiful car CITROEN from Italy

[ponyracer95]

@TheZaraff1 Citroen is a French car.

[FrsBigeasy]

Their beautiful sporty & very comfortable Sports Luxury Sedans

[DaBoogie049]

is that james may from top gear?????

[arospeed169]

DS,SM,XM: brilliant cars

[HologramJones]

There's one in my neighbourhood that is kept outside come rain or shine, but looks pristine and I am tempted to say this is the one on this video as it's the same color I do recall the first three letters of the number plate and they match. Next time I pass by I'll check. Beautiful car.

[superjan101079]

Engine is a nightmare too. Lame, and very freaky construction as well: all aggregates (generator, hydraulic pumps, air condition) are driven by the engine chain via several shafts. chain tensioner is therefore a main problem. to change it, the whole engine has to be removed. it was an impressive car representing maximum technical feasibility of the 70s, but unfortunately not very practical.

[Klottelitsch]

Dont forget to put 1:100 two stroke Oil API TC into the tank for each fill, because thats good for the carbs and the pistons..modern fuel does not take care of the old engine materials!

[rock3tcat]

One of THE coolest cars I have ever seen!!! :D

[MacCollector]

Cotroën SM, that was an excellent masterpiece. If you want a similar car but 20 years younger, you should try the Subaru SVX. I love the SVX.

[racingeurope]

MASERATI !!

[flanneryged]

Utterly beautiful,and very very underated.These Cars drive like a proper luxury Car.

Such a shame it wasn't given the recognition it deserved,this was in it's day the

most comfortable bast Car on the Roads.

[PauliusBa]

Jeremy Clarkson wannabe. Jezza knows what he is talking about. This one does not.. He said that white is an uncool / bad color (even in white it would look good). Come on!

[MacJARedd]

I've got a little toycar from 1971 of that car :)

[BrianSupreme]

it was not "one" of the most powerful frontwheel drive cars in the world, it was THE most poweful in it's time.

It's a legend!

[platterhof]

It's actually a bit ugly.

That mix with Citroën made Maserati a bad name. Nowadays it has changed back to luxurious sports cars, Maserati I mean.

[zagyex]

actually the steering "firms up" with the speed, its called DIRAVI

[dencit1]

i like my xm for the aussie bush roads but if i had the cash i would buy the most beautiful car ever same as the video a green sm still way ahead of most modern cars

[Haffschlappe]

If you want 70s best looking cars get this SM and a Fiat 130 Coupé Pininfarina :)

[wheelsofrubber]

Beauty of a car. But who's the narrator? He needs his jaw breaking. (In a surgical way, of course lol)

[julianread1996]

one of the best cars ever made, some of the design features are only just being used in modern cars some 40 years later, amazing!!!

[xs2jammu]

I want that Citroën.

[64Alvis]

Best car I ever owned was a Citroen GS (until I buy an SM). How can this guy talk that much about the SM without ever mentioning the ride or the steering or the high speed stability??

[ibatonio]

Does somebody know the name of the music in 1:20-1:30?

If yes, PLEASE tell it to me!!

Thanks a lot!

[laurenzomoore]

the most beautiful car ever made..

[EXTREME4YEARSTOCOME]

far from it

[bopkick5]

@laurenzomoore

No doubt.  The most beautiful car ever created . . . God would have been proud

[yorrickwi]

@laurenzomoore i think the ds is more beautiful but thats my opinion

[bluefox72]

What a beautiful car! If i had the talent to repair everything by myself i would buy one!

[cessnaace]

I love both the SM and DS. I've never owned one, but they are great to look at. :)

5/5'd and favored.

STAY AWESOME! :)

[smellytoilet1996]

DS and C6 are better

[itsdarkinhere]

I think the C6 is rather dull compared to DS, SM and CX.

[GrumblinYokel]

Sold me! although I want one anyway.

[elvisdu28]

dommage que ça ait stopper en 1975 :(

[ghibli05]

Aahaha he's a mixed-clone of jeremy clarkson and james may...

I ve heard "in the world' somewhere

Nevertheless the SM is an outstanding machine

Thanks 4 the review

[EXTREME4YEARSTOCOME]

the maserati merak was and is way better

[Allexmax]

Its absolute masterpiece. Very refine drivers car. Too bad they dont make cars like this anymore.

[EcirpWehttam]

@Allexmax It's one of my ambitions in life to work for Citroen and re-design this classic. Don't worry - one day you'll see it again! :D

[derbigpr500]

@Allexmax They do. Look at Citroen C6 or C5.

[Allexmax]

@derbigpr500 'look'... haha :-) I got SM, XM V6 24V 200HP and C6 mate ... I think I got quite a 'look' already overall impression is the same - every generation is worse made than the one before (I also owned 2pcs of Citroen CX Prestige Turbo) - this I dare to say as a man that knows about big Citro models and not only Citro's sadly - its the same with all the popular brands,, even the expensive one. We live in consumer world and nothing is made durable, strong and 'to last' anymore.

[kenjoje]

@Allexmax objectively, they make it better today

[mundotaku]

I got one !!!!!! HA!!!!! ha!!!! But is the american version, so there is no turning lights :(

[coaking]

greeeatttt

[teleroylichtenstein]

SM!! Fabulous car

[ilovemyfrenchcar]

Does anybody know the song title in the opening?

[NoFL88]

The review guy is such a nerd

[physicsmarko]

CITROEN!!!!!

[mihailolord]

beauty of a car!

[Klottelitsch]

So sieht ein Citroen des Jahres 2009 aus und nicht wie dieser neue DS den die jetzt auf den Markt schmeißen...der neue DS ist ein Mini-Verschnitt und hat mit klassischem Citroen Design und den avantgardistischen Tugenden GAR NICHTS gemein. Der SM ist der ewig moderne DS Nachfolger--den sollte die wieder auflegen--meinetwegen auch mit Brennstoffzelle!

[paulhunter123]

i think your better of buying a bx its just as cool and has ll character and novalities carried through and better developed

[zagyex]

they are not in one class. Its a luxury car and the hydraulic system is much more massive than in the bx.

The bx is designed by optimizing this is by oversizing.

[Haffschlappe]

Today this cra would be modern again :)

Citroen please make a new edition with stainless steel body :)

I want one!!

[revengeofcleveland]

i am so totally in love with this and the DS!

[Haffschlappe]

Most amazing car ever, I have a Fiat 130 Coupé 3200 V6 thats also cool but not so spacy as this Citroen...I want one!!!

[mike2lincs]

Fabulous car

My boss who hated driving in London let me drive him in it when I was 17 - was stopped by Police almost daily as it is not the sort of car a spotty 17 year old would drive - usually drove in socked feet cos of that idiosynchratic brake button

[Crackattack99]

haha i have one of these :)

[ThSlayer]

My dad had one of these - it was a fabulous car when it ran, which was about half the time. When it got below 40 degrees (which was the entire winter where I grew up), the chances of starting got to about one in four. He blew the engine doing 35 mph in 2nd gear. Six months and five grand to order a new engine from Italy - and this was in 1975 dollars. Wondrous car, but don't kid yourself - it's an exotic machine and will run like one.

[artofwheels]

mechanical masterpiece! 5 stars

[truthspeaker2000]

freak car, very rare nowadays...

[legorret1]

i was ill inside it. This car was a nightmare for me when i was a little boy.

[russ13b]

These being expensive to maintain is an oxymoron. They are not expensive to maintain - simple procedures prevent most eventualities - being expensive happens when poor ownership leads to many faults all having to be repaired at once. How many big citroens get ruined by people not knowing what they've bought?!

[DansAccord]

My Stepdad just bought one today, yet he has a 73 240Z, ad jus sold his Turbo CRX for that Citroen SM.

[db5astonmartin]

My first car was a 73 240z. Great car, simple, reliable, and cheap to maintain (back then).

[DansAccord]

hIS 240Z IS NO WERE NEAR SIMPLE.

[db5astonmartin]

I have had five z-cars and never had any major problems, no real problems at all.

73 did have the Hitachi carbs though and they could cause vapor lock problems.

[DansAccord]

This one has 280zx Engine tripple Carbed 6spd tranny, CRX Yellow Paint, Full racing supention, racing fuel cell, tires are not street legal, momo Racing Seats, wheel, evrything top to bottom. Next step is an rb26 for it. Hes had 3 z31's a 280zx, and another 240z. 2 of my friends have a z31 1 of em had 2. But only one now. I've been around z's my whole life.

[db5astonmartin]

Fantastic but a mechanics nightmare. Hydraulics worked everything and very expensive to maintain. I almost bought one, and still might.

[jackill]

Hydraulics expensive? Have You ever had any hydro-car? I think not...

[db5astonmartin]

I used to work for Maserati in the 80's.

[jackill]

I can't say any bad word to hydro suspension. I had Xantia for 8 years (ONE car for 8 years, not many Xantias) and suspension never failed.

[db5astonmartin]

It's great when it works, just can be expensive to repair. Just like the new Corvetes I work on.

[jackill]

No, it's cheaper to repair than traditional suspension. For example one sphere (which is substitute for normal damper AND spring) cost about 20€. One damper cost at least 2x more.Of course if pump fails it can be expensive, but if suspension is maintained well, it can't happen.

[db5astonmartin]

Wow, that is cheap. Maybe I will buy one after all.

Thanks

[mysonyps3]

Well I had two SM's, one an Automatic w/ Fuel Injection and the other was the 5 speed manual with three Webers (10-15min flow meter once a month is hardly extreme maintenance). These cars were wonderful to work.... if you knew what you were doing with the right tools. Hydralics, no problem for just a matter of some other maintenance items that need to be taken care of. Do that and this car was a dream to drive once you got used to it. Much different than my Lambo (talk about a bitch to maintain!

[perdurabo1]

@db5astonmartin wrong, hydraulics is flawless me and my family have 3 hydro citroens (BX, Xnatia, XM) biggest problem is electric/electronic and rust in older models (GS, CX), some engines are bit problematic (2,5D for XM) but some are quite robust my friend has BX 1,9D with 700 k km on it. When i will finally move out of my flat to house with bigger garage SM is on my must-have list :)

[pollyandhecuba]

This is my car!

Get one!

[prixauto]

i have one

[Explosion000]

Looks Like a spaceship! I love this car, can't find them in America though :(

[jontg429]

Very nice video, love the SM!