Traction Avant Turns 80!

In April 1934, Citroรซn unveiled the 7A, a car that would go on to make motoring history with a series of innovations including front-wheel drive, or Traction Avant in French, which was a groundbreakingย development in its time.

The new model shook the automotive worldโ€”which consisted almost entirely of rear-wheel-drive vehiclesโ€”with its low center of gravity, all steel monocoque body, light weight and early incorporation of aerodynamics. As a result, the front-wheel-drive Traction Avant boasted standard-setting characteristics for handling and road holding.

Citroรซn is celebrating 80 years of the Traction Avant in 2014 with a series of events dedicated to the famous model, including displays at the June Autodrome Heritage Festival at Montlhรฉry, as well as Le Mans in August and Epoquโ€™Auto, in Lyon, in September.