Citroën Xantia

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Citroën Xantia
Note unusual notchback profile of Citroën Xantia Hatchback
Manufacturer Citroën
Parent company PSA Group
Production 1993—2001
Predecessor Citroën BX
Successor Citroën C5
Class Large family car
Body style(s) 5-door hatchback (Berline)
5-door estate (Break)
Layout FF layout
Engine(s) 1.6L I4
1.8L I4
1.8L I4 16 valve
2.0L I4
2.0L I4 16 valve
2.0L I4 Turbocharged
2.9L V6
1.9L I4 Diesel
1.9L I4 Turbodiesel
2.0L I4 HDi
2.1L I4 12 valve Turbodiesel
Wheelbase 2740 mm (107.9 in) (Berline)
Length 4440 mm (174.8 in) (Berline)
Width 1755 mm (69.1 in) (Berline)
Height 1380 mm (54.3 in) (Berline)
Curb weight 1250 kg (2756 lb)–1350 kg (2976 lb) (Berline)
Related Peugeot 406
Designer Bertone
Station wagon version of Xantia
Station wagon version of Xantia
1.9 Turbo D Xantia
1.9 Turbo D Xantia

The Citroën Xantia is a large family car produced by the French automaker Citroën. First seen at the end of 1992, the car was produced between 1993 and 2001 . Citroën sold over 1.2 million Xantias during its 8 years of production. After production in Europe ended in early 2001, the SAIPA (dahan service) Corporation in Iran is still (as of 2007) producing them. The exterior styling of the Xantia was penned by Bertone.

Contents

[edit] History

The Xantia replaced the earlier Citroën BX and maintained the high level of popularity of that model, but brought the car more into the mainstream to compete harder with its rivals such as the Ford Mondeo, Nissan Primera, Rover 400, Toyota Carina E and Vauxhall Cavalier

It signalled that Citroën had learned from the reception given the staid Citroën ZX, introduced two years earlier and criticised by contemporary journalists for its lack of traditional Citroën flair in engineering and design. The Xantia addressed these concerns in an updated, conventionally attractive form.

Although the Xantia was not as dramatically styled as the Citroën BX, it was certainly more distinctive than its contemporaries such as the conservative Ford Mondeo and Opel Vectra. The Xantia also used the traditional Citroën hydropneumatic suspension system pioneered in the legendary DS. It was initially only available as a hatchback (liftback) (Berline), but an estate (station wagon) (Break) version built by Heuliez appeared in 1995.

In-line with PSA Group policy, the Peugeot 406, launched 2 years later, used the same floorpan, core structure and engines as the Xantia.

Sales in the UK were strong, though it was never able to match the success of established British favourites such as the Ford Mondeo or Vauxhall Vectra.

[edit] Suspension

From an engineering perspective, the Xantia's biggest advance was the suspension. From launch, the more expensive models were available with an enhanced version of the XM's Hydractive computer-controlled version of the hydropneumatic self-leveling suspension. This used extra suspension spheres to allow a soft ride in normal conditions, but taut body control during hard braking, acceleration or cornering.

In 1995, the Activa technology was introduced, which again used a combination of computer control and mechanical changes to all but eliminate body roll. This technology is more broadly known as active suspension

The Xantia was the last Citroën to use a common hydraulic circuit for suspension, brakes and steering like the pioneering Citroën DS.

[edit] Engines

Power came courtesy of the familiar Peugeot XU-series gasoline engines, this time in 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0 displacements, a 2.0 16-valve version for the Xantia VSX, a turbocharged 2.0 engine, a 3.0 V6 engine, and, from 1995 onwards, a 1.8 16-valve and a 2.0 16-valve engine. The popular XUD turbodiesel units in 1.9 (turbocharged: 92 hp (69 kW), low-pressure turbo: 75 hp (56 kW), or not: 71 hp) displacement proved to be the best-selling engine. The biggest diesel was a 2.1 TD with 109 hp (81 kW).

In 1998, PSA introduced the HDi direct injection turbodiesel (in two versions: 90 hp (67 kW) and intercooled 110 hp). For an economical diesel engine, the HDi offered the kind of throttle response normally seen in a gasoline engine and quiet high speed cruising at a top speed of 115 mph (185 km/h). Acceleration was also good at 11.4 seconds from 0 to 60 mph.[citation needed]

The 2.0 HDi engine was also used in the Peugeot 406, which was launched in 1995.

The 2.0 HDi has proved to be a very reliable engine , many taxis have gone over 250,000 miles (400,000 km).[citation needed]

[edit] Engine DHX/DHY 1.9

The engines were very reliable, some pre 1997 models could do up to 300,000 miles (480,000 km),[citation needed] however in 1997 because of the new european law they had to put anti pollution systems on the XUD type Engine , it then suffered from failing conrods ( the 3rd conrod goes through the casing ) and the precombustion chambers crack and fall into to the cylinders ( when this is about to happen , the car does not start very well , chokes a lot )
This concerned all cars from PSA from 1997 until they fitted the HDI 2.0 engine.[citation needed]

Engine codes
pre 1997 > D8A
1997> DHX / DHY

[edit] External links

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