Citroën Saxo

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Citroën Saxo
Manufacturer:	PSA Group
Production:	1996-2003
Predecessor:	Citroën AX
Successor:	Citroën C2 Citroën C3
Class:	Supermini
Body style:	3-door hatchback 5-door hatchback
Engine:	1.0 L TU9 I4 1.1 L TU1 I4 1.4 L TU3 I4 1.5 L TUD5 diesel I4 1.6 L TU5 I4
Related:	Peugeot 106
Similar:	Fiat Punto Ford Fiesta Renault Clio Volkswagen Polo

The Citroën Saxo was a supermini produced by the French manufacturer Citroën from 1996 to 2003.

The Saxo, known during its development phase as "Project S8", was launched in 1996 to replace the aging Citroën AX. Much of the Saxo's engineering was shared with the Peugeot 106 of Citroën's parent company, Peugeot.

The Saxo was one of several Citroëns from the 1990s criticised for looking too conservative and ordinary, in contrast to the avant-garde design of earlier Citroëns like the CX, BX and XM. In particular, the Saxo shared not only mechanical pieces but also its body design and appearance with the Peugeot 106, much as ancestor Citroën LNA was a badge engineered version of the Peugeot 104.

A multitude of different trim levels came and went during the Saxo's lifetime, although each different named trim level, such as the Saxo First, Saxo Desire, Saxo Executive, and Saxo Furio, used one of three engines; 1.1 L and 1.4 L petrol engines and a 1.5 L naturally-aspirated diesel engine. Two high performance models called the Saxo VTR (using a 1.6 L 8-valve engine, initially producing 90 bhp and 98 bhp in later models) and the Saxo VTS (using a 1.6 L 16-valve engine producing 120 bhp) were launched in 1997. The Saxo in general, and these high performance models in particular, were very popular with young drivers.

In late 1997, the Saxo received a "facelift" in the form of a new front grille. This became known as the "smiley" grille due to its similarity to a smiling mouth. Around this time, Citroën also started fitting transponder chip immobilisers, rather than the keypad type immobilisers of previous models.

In 1999, the 'Mk II' or Phase II version of the Saxo was introduced, featuring an updated front end, notably the headlights. The rear of the car received only a minor styling change in that the light cluster colouration was slightly lighter than its predecessor.

By the beginning of 2002, the end was in sight for the Saxo with its design now more than a decade old. The more spacious and practical five-door C3 attracted buyers, and Saxo sales fell dramatically. Only the VTR and VTS models remained popular. The Saxo finally finished production in late 2003 when the three-door C2 was launched. Its twin, the Peugeot 106, also ceased production at this time.

[edit] Engines

• 1.0 L (954 cc) TU9 I4, 50 PS (49 hp/36 kW) and 54 ft·lbf (73 N·m)
• 1.1 L (1124 cc) TU1 I4, 60 PS (59 hp/44 kW) and 65 ft·lbf (89 N·m)
• 1.4 L (1361 cc) TU3 I4, 75 PS (74 hp/55 kW) and 89 ft·lbf (121 N·m)
• 1.5 L (1527 cc) TUD5 diesel I4, 58 PS (57 hp/42 kW) and 86 ft·lbf (117 N·m)
• 1.6 L (1587 cc) TU5 I4, 90 PS (88 hp/66 kW) and 99 ft·lbf (135 N·m)
• 1.6 L (1587 cc) TU5 I4, 120 PS (118 hp/88 kW) and 107 ft·lbf (145 N·m)

[edit] External links

• Citroën official website

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Citroën Saxo

<- Previous	Citroën car timeline, 1980s-present - [edit]
Type	1980s										1990s										2000s
	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9
Economy car	2CV
Off-roader	Méhari
City car	LN			LNA			AX																			C1
Supermini																									C2
	Visa																Saxo							C3
Small family car	GSA											ZX						Xsara							C4
Large family car			BX											Xantia								C5
Executive car	CX									XM																C6
Leisure activity vehicle																		Berlingo
Compact MPV																				Xsara Picasso							C4 Picasso
Large MPV															Evasion								C8
Crossover																												C-Crosser