1996 Citroen ZX Break Photos, engines & full specs

Citroen introduced a facelifted version for the ZX lineup in 1996, and along with the hatchback, the French brand also updated the station wagon version, known as the ZX Break.

Slowly but surely, Europe started to work on the cars’ emissions issues. After the introduction of the Euro 1 in 1992, Euro 2 came into force in January 1996 for type approval and January 1997 for first registration date. As a result, all automakers who wanted to sell their products in the Old Continent had to comply with these norms.

While some brands chose to improve just the engines, Citroen considered going further and completely refreshed the ZX lineup. Therefore, besides cleaner engines, the car has restyled bodywork and better interiors. The station wagon also got refreshed even though it was just two years old on the market. Still, it was the car that could compete with larger vehicles in terms of practicality.

Despite being designed by Bertone, the ZX featured a bland styling, so the automaker tried to enhance it along with the refreshed version. As a result, the angular lines of the bodywork and the straight cuts for the headlights were softened with rounded corners. Still, the front fascia featured the same panel design that was introduced in 1994, with a slim horizontal slat that crossed the upper grille. Still, below the bumper, there was also a narrow opening that helped with the engine cooling.

From its profile, the ZX Break featured flush door handles and body-colored door mirror caps, depending on the trim level. Also, the rubber protection from the side panels remained black for the lower grades and body-colored for the upper ones. At the back, the taillights got redesigned and featured smoked reversing lights lamps.

Inside, the car already offered enough comfort features for its customers. The power windows and mirrors, the sunroof, and the automatic transmission were already part of the segment, so the ZX had to have them. Depending on the version, the car offered customers bolstered seats and a sliding rear bench seat that could enlarge the trunk space or the legroom.

Moreover, the flat-folding seatback also expanded the loading area, making the compact-sized ZX Break an excellent vehicle for families. Along with the introduction of the 1996 model year, the ZX got a new engine lineup. The station wagon, or Break as Citroen named it, offered a wide choice of engines, starting with a 1.4-liter fuel-injected powerplant that developed 75 PS (74 hp).

The top-of-the-line model featured a 1.8-liter four-pot unit that provided customers 101 PS (99 hp). In addition, the rise of customers’ interest in oil-burning engines pushed Citroen to install a 1.9-liter unit, both naturally aspirated or turbocharged, that rewarded them with great fuel efficiency.