Citroën GS Birotor

Citroën GS/GSA
1983 Citroën GSA Spécial
Overview
Manufacturer	Citroën
Production	1970–1986
Assembly	Rennes, France(Chartres-de-Bretagne quarter) Arica, Chile Jakarta, Indonesia () Mozambique Mangualde, Portugal Vigo, Spain Port Elizabeth, South Africa Bangkok, Thailand Koper, Slovenia (Yugoslavia) Mutare, Zimbabwe
Designer	Robert Opron
Body and chassis
Class	Small family car (C)
Body style	4-door fastback 5-door hatchback 5-door estate 3-door van
Layout	FF layout
Powertrain
Engine	1015 cc flat-4 air-cooled 1129 cc flat-4 air-cooled 1222 cc flat-4 air-cooled 1299 cc flat-4 air-cooled 1990 cc Wankel engine
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2550 mm (100.39 in)
Length	4120–4180 mm (162.18–164.58 in)
Width	1600–1620 mm (62.99–63.78 in)
Height	1350 mm (53.17 in)
Curb weight	900 kg (1,984 lb) (saloon) 950 kg (2,094 lb) (hatchback) 925 kg (2,039 lb) (3-door van) (all weights approximate)
Chronology
Predecessor	None
Successor	Citroën BX and Citroën ZX

The GS is a small family car manufactured and marketed by Citroën for model years 1970-1986 in sedan and wagon bodystyles (1970-1980), over a single generation. The GS received a facelift in 1979 and was subsequently marketed as the GSA in hatchback and wagon bodystyles (1979-1986).

The GS was voted European Car of the Year for 1971 and was noted as technologically advanced, with class leading comfort, safety and aerodynamics.

The GS filled the gap in Citroën's range, between the 2CV and Ami economy cars and the luxurious DS executive sedan. The DS had moved significantly upmarket from its predecessor the Citroën Traction Avant, and beyond the finances of most French motorists. Leaving this market gap open for fifteen years allowed other manufacturers entry into the most profitable, high volume market segment in France. This combined with the development costs and new factory for the DS-replacing Citroën CX, the 1974 oil crisis, and an aborted Wankel rotary engine, led Citroën to declare bankruptcy in 1974.

The GS met with instant market acceptance and was the largest selling Citroën model for many years. 1,896,742 GS models and 576,757 GSA models were produced in total.

Unlike the 2CV, DS and SM, the GS was never officially imported to the USA.

The GS took 14 years to develop from initial design to launch.

In 1956, Citroën developed a bubble car prototype to fill the gap in its range between the DS and the 2CV, known as the C10. Development continued with ideas like a Wankel engine and hydropneumatic suspension suggested as possibilities, with a new, modern body to match. Another iteration was the "C60," which resembled an Ami 6 with a long, smooth nose.