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The engine

 

SM 1972

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SM 1972

The SM’s engine was for a long time its Achilles’ heel. Designed by Maserati, a Citroën partner at the time, the V6 unit was initially warmly greeted by the public. GT fans loved its “highly strung” Italian feel.

But things soon started to go sour. A series of technical imperfections undermined the car’s reliability, traditionally a key Citroën strong point. The SM required fine-tuned maintenance like all GTs, and drivers paid heavily for any imprecision.

The SM gearbox was entirely Citroën-made. The five speed unit, with the top two gears in overdrive, gave SM drivers a full-throttle sports experience.