Citroën Visa
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| Citroën Visa | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Citroën |
| Production | 1978—1988 |
| Predecessor | Citroën 2CV Citroën Dyane Citroën Ami Citroën LN & LNA |
| Successor | Citroën AX |
| Body style | Supermini |
| Layout | FF layout |
| Similar | Ford Fiesta Volkswagen Polo Opel Corsa |
The Citroën Visa is a supermini produced by the French automaker Citroën from 1978 to 1988.
The Visa used much of the same mechanics as its PSA stablemate the Peugeot 104, but was only available as a five-door hatchback. It was the first model of the platform sharing policy of PSA Peugeot Citroen after the takeover of Citroen by Peugeot in the wake of the 1974 oil crisis. Initially it was available in "Spécial" and "Club" models (652 cc, 2-cylinder), and a "Super" model - (the 11RE after 1984), with the advanced Peugeot 1124 cc Douvrin engine, four-cylinder 'Suitcase engine', (all alluminium alloy, chain driven overhead cam , with gears in the sump, sharing engine oil, mounted almost on its side). The 1124cc was as economical as the Citroën 2CV derived twin, but with much better performance. Later on it had 954cc and 1360cc versions of the same engine. In 1982 the Visa underwent a massive restyling, proposed by Heuliez, to look more mainstream. It had very soft (but well damped), long travel, fully independent suspension, that caused it to have a rolling ride like the Citroen 2cv, but without such extreme roll angles. 'Car' magazine made it one of its 'top ten' models on the market for three years running in the mid 1980s for its versatility, ride comfort - 'like a limousine', its ability to maintain high average speeds due to high levels of roadholding, and value for money. It was also extraordinarily aerodynamically stable at high speeds for a light, narrow and tall car. It would remain unperturbed by cross-winds and truck bow waves at motorway speeds.
High-performance versions of the Visa included the "Visa GT" (1.4 L with double-barrel carburettor and 80 hp (59 kW) DIN), the "Visa GTi" (1.6 L fuel injected engine from the Peugeot 205 GTi, 105 or 115 hp (77 or 85 kW) versions), the "Visa Chrono" (93 hp (68 kW) from the 1.4 L engine, this time with two double-barrel carbs), and the Visa "Mille Pistes" (112 hp (82 kW) and four-wheel drive). The diesel 1769cc XUD and transmission as used in the Peugeot 205, was too wide for the original engine compartment so the wings were extended with large black plastic wheel arch panels. The spare wheel that in smaller petrol engine versions, was mounted on top of the flat or near horizontal engine, was clumsily bolted to the boot floor. A four-door convertible version was also produced in the Heuliez factory, and panel van versions of the Visa (the Citroën C15) continued to be produced to 2005, even though the original model had ceased production already in 1988.
Its downsides were a plasticky interior and body corrosion, and it has to be said, its styling. Also, the Douvrin engine as used in the pre 1988 Peugeot 205 and Citroen BX 1.4L, meant that changing a clutch required that the engine / gearbox had to be removed first.
From 1984 to 1988 the Axel, which looked like a three-door version of the Visa was produced in Craiova, Romania, by Oltcit. In fact, it was derived from Prototype Y, a vehicle which had been previously developed by Citroën, and which the manufacturer had abandoned in favour of the Peugeot 104-derived Visa.
[edit] External links
| Citroën car timeline, 1950s-1980s | Next -> | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Type | 1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | |
| Economy car | 2CV | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| City car | LN / LNA | AX | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Supermini | Dyane | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ami | Visa | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Small family car | GS | GSA | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Large family car | 11 CV | ID / DSpécial / DSuper | BX | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Executive car | 15 CV | DS | CX | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Grand tourer | SM | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Off-roader | Méhari | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| <- Previous | Citroën car timeline, 1980s-present - | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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 | C15 | Berlingo | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Compact MPV | Xsara Picasso | C4 Picasso | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Large MPV | Evasion | C8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Crossover | C-Crosser | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
