Citroën Saxo

Citroën Saxo
Overview
Manufacturer Citroën
Also called Citroën Chanson (Japan)
Production 1996–2003
Assembly Aulnay-sous-Bois, France
Body and chassis
Class City car (A)
Body style 3-door hatchback
5-door hatchback
Layout Front-engine, front-wheel-drive
Related Peugeot 106
Powertrain
Engine 1.0 L TU9 I4 (petrol)
1.1 L TU1 I4 (petrol)
1.4 L TU3 I4 (petrol)
1.5 L TUD5 I4 (diesel)
1.6 L TU5 I4 (petrol)
Transmission 5-speed manual
3-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase 2,385 mm (93.9 in)
Length 3,718 mm (146.4 in)
3,737 mm (147.1 in) (VTS)
Width 1,595 mm (62.8 in)
1,620 mm (63.8 in) (VTS)
Height 1,379 mm (54.3 in)
Curb weight 805–935 kg (1,775–2,061 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor Citroën AX
Successor Citroën C2
Citroën C3
Rear view

The Citroën Saxo was a city car produced by the French manufacturer Citroën from 1996 to 2003. It was also sold in Japan as the Citroën Chanson. It shared many engine and body parts with the Peugeot 106 (which itself was a development of the Citroën AX), the major difference being interiors and body panels. Production ended in 2003, when it was replaced with the Citroën C2.

Overview

Engines and performance

All engines were from the PSA TU engine series that powered the Peugeot 205 from 1988 and the Citroën AX, and had their roots before that with the OHC PSA X engine various other PSA cars used, such as the Citroën Visa, Peugeot 104 and early Peugeot 205. The range included five petrol engines and one diesel engine, all naturally aspirated.

Although the quoted power outputs are low in comparison to modern small hatchbacks, or even to other hatchbacks of the time, the kerb weight was generally very low, with even the range-topping VTS having a kerb weight of just 935 kg (2,061 lb), with other smaller engine models (except the diesel) being around 100 kg lighter than this. This meant a high power-to-weight ratio which meant for decent acceleration and made the car suitable for city driving. Aside from the VTS which had 16 valves, all engines were the older SOHC units which meant low MPG figures. Even the popular 1.1 engine would struggle to achieve more than 35-40mpg in town when driven carefully.

The early 1.0 was quite under-powered with the 1.1 being considered much better, since it was nearly 200 cc larger and had roughly 30% more torque.

There were three sport models of the Saxo:

These models included 247 mm (9.7 in) vented front brake discs, with the VTR and VTS also having rear brake discs (solid 247 mm (9.7 in) discs). Also, a different style of control arms and struts was used for the suspension. The VTS had a 22 mm (0.9 in) master brake cylinder, and the VTR and Westcoast/Furio had a 19 mm (0.7 in). The VTS had a 19 mm (0.7 in) front anti-roll bar and 22 mm (0.9 in) rear anti-roll bar, while the VTR and Westcoast/Furio had a 19 mm (0.7 in) front and 21 mm (0.8 in) or sometimes 19 mm (0.7 in) rear anti-roll bar.

In addition, all the sports models featured a unique bodykit to the other models, commonly known as the "VT" bodykit.

In 1997 the Saxo's 3 speed automatic gearbox was combined with the 1.6i 8V 66 kW (90PS/89BHP) engine which was available on the Saxo SX and VSX. Then, in late 1997, the 1.6i automatic was replaced with a 1.4i 55 kW (75PS/74BHP) engine. The 1.6i was more powerful with a top speed of 176 km/h (109MPH) compared with the 1.4's top speed of 103 mph (166 km/h).

Citroën carried on using the 1.4i engine on the Facelift Saxo Automatic in 1999. Due to the C3 having a 1.4i automatic gearbox the Saxo Automatic came to an end in March 2002, whilst the manual models were still sold right up to the end of 2003.

Interior and equipment

Interior

The equipment list was generally sparse, with budget models having drivers airbag, seat belt pre-tensioners, cassette player, heated rear screen and tinted windows, and early MK1s with keypad immobilisers and a clock in place of a tachometer and 3 stud wheels, much like the AX. Further up the list sunroofs, PAS, Electric windows, ultrasonic alarm, passenger airbag, CD player, tachometer, front fog lights, bodykits, colour-coded mirror caps and alloy wheels were added, to name a few. Although MK2 Saxos were generally better equipped than their older counterparts, the interiors were still dated in comparison to other small hatchbacks of the time, such as the Vauxhall Corsa, with many of the center console controls originating from the older Citroën AX model.

The 1.6L VTR and VTS Saxos were the best equipped, with both gaining rear disc brakes as opposed to drum brakes, and ABS as standard for the VTS and an optional extra on all other 1.6L models.

Few special models were released throughout the Saxo's life, most notably the "Open Scandal", a Saxo with a full length sliding canvas roof. Other special editions added certain extras to the lower end model, such as sunroofs or PAS. Notable models are the Westcoast up to 1999 and the Furio to 2003, as they incorporated the standard Saxo bodykit found on the VTR and VTS with a more insurance friendly 1.4L engine.

Air-conditioning was never an option on right-hand-drive Saxos because the blower motor was mounted in the bulk-head on the driver's side. As a result, there was insufficient space available to accommodate the evaporator, except by first ducting the air flow to the passenger's side and then at the expense of the glove-box. Although an after-market kit was available that did exactly this, the resultant pressure loss made the system noisy and ineffective. The blower motor could also not be easily relocated, since the windscreen wiper motor was mounted in the passenger's side space.

As with many other small cars of the time, the standard stereo system included 5.25" drivers mounted low in the front doors and 4" drivers mounted in the rear quarter panels (5 door models had 5.25" drivers all round). It was a popular modification to improve on the systems overall frequency range by mounting separate tweeters in the A-panel trims, similar to many VW models of the time. The very thin door cards and metalwork did however leave the system very 'thin' sounding. This problem could be avoided however through the use of sound deadening insulation in the door cards. In-car entertainment modification was among the most popular upgrade for Saxo owners as this was one of the areas of the car that was lacking the most.

Facelift

2000 Citroën Saxo facelift
Tour de Corse
San Remo

In January 2000, the Saxo received a style makeover, commonly branded as a MK2, with the major differences being more modern styled headlights, bonnets and grilles to replace the square style on the MK1 and multipoint injection replacing the single point on the 1.1L engines.

PAS became standard on all but the very basic models. More subtle changes were alterations to the rear lights (the indicator sections are more "white") and the engine control unit moved from a single plug to three plugs. The old three-stud wheel layout was also dropped.

There was also a minor facelift, during the first phase of the car's production, in line with the then current releases by Citroën, moving towards a rounder look.

To the eye, there are stark differences between the Mk1 and Mk2 Saxo, but little changed inside the vehicle. The dashboard and glovebox arrangement remained the same with the possible addition of a passenger-side airbag in some high range models.

By 2003, some buyers were more attracted to the spacious, and practical five-door C3. However, the 1.6 VTR and VTS models remained popular. The Saxo finally finished production in September 2003 when the three-door C2 was launched. Its twin, the Peugeot 106, also ceased production at this time. By the end of the Saxo's production life, its design was seven years old.

In 2000, it was a EuroNCAP sufferer of poor performances, along with its twin, the 106.

Drag coefficient

The Saxo has a drag coefficient of 0.340.[1] In addition its frontal area is 1.83 m2.[1] Giving it a CdA ft² just 6.68.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Citroën Saxo 1.1i X technical specifications - Carfolio.com car specifications pages". Carfolio.com. Retrieved 2011-08-07.

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