The day Citroën tried to fit a V8 into the Traction!
- Published on 27/11/2025 16:34
- Modified on 28/11/2025 11:20
On November 27, 1934, Citroën presented the experimental prototype Traction 22 HP equipped with a V8 at the Paris Motor Show.
Some cars become legendary without ever being produced in series. This is the case of the Citroën Traction 22 HP, an audacious project from the 1930s that illustrates both the innovation and the constraints of the time.
In 1934, Citroën was already recognized for its great technological audacity. The Traction Avant revolutionized the industry with its monocoque body, front-wheel drive, and hydraulic brakes. In this context, the brand wanted to create an even more powerful version: the Traction 22 HP, equipped with a large 3.8-liter V8, aimed at competing with the luxurious grand tourers of the time.
A big engine to target the elite
The project aimed to offer a prestigious, comfortable, and high-performance car, capable of covering long distances with distinction. The tax horsepower of 22 HP reflects the intention to position this model in the high-end segment, above the classic Tractions… and here the mystery thickens. Prototypes are said to have been built, but the records remain unclear, and no example was ever marketed. Production was compromised by Citroën’s fragile financial situation and the economic crisis that was hitting Europe.
Technically, the Traction 22 HP represented a significant step in automotive innovation. The combination of the V8 with traction technology would have offered a unique driving experience at that time. Unfortunately, this model remains in the realm of ghost cars in automotive history.
Today, the Traction 22 HP remains a symbol of audacity and innovation. It testifies to Citroën’s ability to push the limits of technology, even when economic circumstances impose caution. For enthusiasts, this project is a fascinating illustration of what could have been: a great French touring car ahead of its time, ambitious, elegant, and technologically advanced.
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Only about twenty prototype models are believed to have been produced, but despite various rumors and passionate research from collectors and historians, all seem to have definitively disappeared… The Traction 22 HP is thus an unknown yet essential chapter in French automotive history, a project that continues to provoke curiosity and admiration nearly a century later.
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This page is translated from the original post "Le jour où Citroën a essayé de caser un V8 dans la Traction !" in French.
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