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CITROEN ZX Break Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

Generations: 2
First production year: 1994
Engines: Gasoline, Diesel
Body style: Wagon (station wagon, estate, combi, touring)
CITROEN ZX Break photo gallery

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.

full description and technical specifications
CITROEN ZX Break photo gallery

Citroen introduced the ZX range in 1990 as a replacement for its aged GS, built between 1970 and 1994.

Judging according to those times values, the ZX was a compact-size vehicle, even though it was among the shortest in its class. That affected its market image, and it might be called either a long small class or a short compact-segment vehicle. It was available in three shapes and sizes: 3-door hatchback, 5-door hatchback, and a station wagon named Break. The latter was a very interesting choice since it offered a big loading area for a small segment vehicle or short for a compact-sized station wagon. Citroen introduced the ZX in 1990 and, in 1994, it unveiled an upgraded version.

Bertone signed the ZX design, and that helped the car gain plus points for its exterior styling. Even though it was built on the same platform as the Peugeot 306, it looked way different. Its narrow, horizontal headlights and slim grille resembled its smaller brother, the AX. The angular lines were far from the curved ones used on the GS, but they were in Bertone's trend. Unlike its 5-door hatchback version, the Break (station wagon) featured a longer rear overhang to accommodate the bigger trunk.

Inside, Bertone's cubist styling continued on the dashboard with a squared instrument cluster fitted with a few buttons on its sides. There were comfortable seats in the front and a 60/40 split-folding rear bench seatback. The trunk could hold between 488 liters (17.23 cu-ft) and 1580 liters (55.8 cu-ft).

Citroen installed four engine choices under the hood: two gasoline and two diesel paired to a 5-speed manual gearbox. For selected markets only, the 1.8-liter version could have been paired to a four-speed automatic transmission.

full description and technical specifications