Citroën Xsara
Encyclopedia
The Citroën Xsara is a small family car produced by French automaker Citroën
from 1997 to 2006.
Like its predecessor, the Citroën ZX
, the Xsara shares running gear with the Peugeot 306
.
It came in three and five-door hatchback
and five-door estate body styles; the estate was marketed as the Break and the three-door as the Coupé. The straight-4 engine range includes 1.4, 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0-litre petrol engine
s as well as 1.6, 1.9 and 2.0-litre turbodiesel
s.
The Xsara was 1998 Semperit Irish Car of the Year
in Ireland.
In 2000 the Xsara was facelifted; the car was now stiffer (so safety and handling improved), had a new front design and some interior modifications (i.e.: new steering wheel). The facelift also saw the introduction of multiplex wiring.
New 1.6i and 2.0i 16 valve engines were being introduced and 1.8L were removed. Now Xsara is offered with following engine choices:
In line with other models from the same company at the time, the Xsara largely sold on price because of stiff competition from the class leader, the Renault Scenic
.
The 2002 model had slight interior modifications (i.e.: a different way of controlling the sound system from the steering wheel). In 2003 there were also some exterior modifications (i.e.: new front bumper).
The Xsara hatchback was discontinued and replaced by the C4
in late 2004. The Xsara continues to be produced for the Chinese
market by Dongfeng Peugeot-Citroën Automobile
, a joint venture
with the PSA Group.
The Xsara Picasso
small MPV was continued, concurring its successors.
, based on the road-going Xsara hatchback but ultimately having very little resemblance to it under the skin, was one of the most successful cars ever to compete in the World Rally Championship
. The car took Frenchman Sébastien Loeb
to 28 rally wins, three consecutive Driver's Championship titles from 2004 to 2006, and Citroën to three consecutive Manufacturer's Championship titles in 2003, 2004, and 2005. Although it is the Frenchman who has proved the archetype Xsara WRC pilot virtually since its 2001 conception, Jesús Puras
, Carlos Sainz
and François Duval
are the other drivers to have won.
2003 world champion Petter Solberg
drove a 2006-spec Xsara for the majority of the 2009 season
, which was entered by his own Petter Solberg World Rally Team.
Citroën
Citroën is a major French automobile manufacturer, part of the PSA Peugeot Citroën group.Founded in 1919 by French industrialist André-Gustave Citroën , Citroën was the first mass-production car company outside the USA and pioneered the modern concept of creating a sales and services network that...
from 1997 to 2006.
Like its predecessor, the Citroën ZX
Citroën ZX
The Citroën ZX is a small family car produced by the French manufacturer Citroën between 1991 and 1998.During the 1990s, the ZX was Citroën's competitor in the class traditionally dominated in Europe by the Ford Escort and Vauxhall/Opel Astra, a market segment Citroën had moved away from when the...
, the Xsara shares running gear with the Peugeot 306
Peugeot 306
The Peugeot 306 is a small family car built by the French car manufacturer Peugeot from 1993 to 2002 replacing the 309. Peugeot gave the 306 many updates and aesthetic changes to keep up the competition but it was replaced by the 307 in 2001. Cabriolet and estate versions continued until 2002...
.
It came in three and five-door hatchback
Hatchback
A Hatchback is a car body style incorporating a shared passenger and cargo volume, with rearmost accessibility via a rear third or fifth door, typically a top-hinged liftgate—and features such as fold-down rear seats to enable flexibility within the shared passenger/cargo volume. As a two-box...
and five-door estate body styles; the estate was marketed as the Break and the three-door as the Coupé. The straight-4 engine range includes 1.4, 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0-litre petrol engine
Petrol engine
A petrol engine is an internal combustion engine with spark-ignition, designed to run on petrol and similar volatile fuels....
s as well as 1.6, 1.9 and 2.0-litre turbodiesel
Turbodiesel
Turbodiesel refers to any diesel engine with a turbocharger. Turbocharging is the norm rather than the exception in modern car and truck diesel engines...
s.
The Xsara was 1998 Semperit Irish Car of the Year
Semperit Irish Car of the Year
The Semperit Irish Car of the Year award was established in 1978. It is organised and judged by the Irish Motoring Writers Association . It is sponsored by tyre manufactuer Semperit and specifically by their brand - 'Semperit'....
in Ireland.
Mark 1
The original Xsara was launched in 1997, and was available with different engine choices:- 1.4L (1361 cc 8 valve SOHC) 55 kW TU3JP 4 cylinderStraight-4The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft....
petrol 111 N·m - 1.6L (1587 cc) 66 kW TU5JP 4 cylinder petrol 136 N·m
- 1.8L (1761 cc) 66 kW XU7JB 4 cylinder petrol
- 1.8L (1761 cc) 76 kW XU7JP 4 cylinder petrol
- 1.8L (1761 cc 16-valveMulti-valveIn automotive engineering a multi-valve or multivalve engine is one where each cylinder has more than two valves. A multi-valve engine has better breathing and can operate at higher revolutions per minute than a two-valve engine, delivering more power.- Multi-valve rationale :A multi-valve design...
DOHC) 82 kW XU7JP4 4 cylinder petrol 155 N·m - 2.0L (1998 cc) 92 kW XU10J2C 4 cylinder petrol
- 2.0L (1998 cc 16-valve DOHC) 99 kW XU10J4R 4 cylinder petrol
- 2.0L (1998 cc 16-valve DOHC) 122 kW XU10J4RS 4 cylinder petrol (used in Xsara VTS)
- 1.9L (1905 cc) 50 kW XUD9A dieselDiesel engineA diesel engine is an internal combustion engine that uses the heat of compression to initiate ignition to burn the fuel, which is injected into the combustion chamber...
- 1.9L (1868 cc) 51 kW DW8 diesel
- 1.9L (1905 cc) 55 kW XUD9B SD diesel
- 1.9L (1905 cc) 66 kW XUD9TE turbodieselTurbodieselTurbodiesel refers to any diesel engine with a turbocharger. Turbocharging is the norm rather than the exception in modern car and truck diesel engines...
- 2.0L (1997 cc) 66 kW DW10TD turbodiesel
Mark 2 (Xsara II)
New 1.6i and 2.0i 16 valve engines were being introduced and 1.8L were removed. Now Xsara is offered with following engine choices:
- 1.4L (1361 cc 8 valve SOHC) 55 kW TU3JP 4 cylinder petrol 121 N·m (catalystCatalytic converterA catalytic converter is a device used to convert toxic exhaust emissions from an internal combustion engine into non-toxic substances. Inside a catalytic converter, a catalyst stimulates a chemical reaction in which noxious byproducts of combustion are converted to less toxic substances by dint...
and itsposition were changed) - 1.6L (1587 cc 16-valve DOHC) 81 kW TU5JP4 4 cylinder petrol (new, replaced 8 valve TU5JP engine)
- 2.0L (1998 cc 16-valve DOHC) 122 kW XU10J4RS 4 cylinder petrol (used till 2002)
- 2.0L (1998 cc 16-valve DOHC) 101 kW EW10J4 4 cylinder petrol (new, replaced XU10 engine)
- 1.4L (1398 cc) HDI 50 KW 68 PS DW4TD 01. 2004-31.12.2004
- 1.9L (1868 cc) 51 kW DW8 diesel (used till 2002)
- 1.9L (1868 cc) 53 kW DW8B diesel (new)
- 2.0L (1997 cc) 66 kW DW10TD turbodiesel (catalyst was changed, later central silencer was removed)
- 2.0L (1997 cc) 79 kW DW10ATED turbodiesel (new)
In line with other models from the same company at the time, the Xsara largely sold on price because of stiff competition from the class leader, the Renault Scenic
Renault Scénic
The Renault Scénic is a compact MPV produced by French automaker Renault, the first to be labelled as such in Europe. It is based on the chassis of the Mégane small family car. It became 1997 European Car of the Year on its launch in late 1996...
.
The 2002 model had slight interior modifications (i.e.: a different way of controlling the sound system from the steering wheel). In 2003 there were also some exterior modifications (i.e.: new front bumper).
The Xsara hatchback was discontinued and replaced by the C4
Citroën C4
The Citroën C4 is a small family car produced by French automaker Citroën since autumn 2004. The C4 was designed to be the successor to the Citroën Xsara. It is mechanically similar to the Peugeot 308, which was launched in 2007. A revised version with new front end, reverse light and dashboard...
in late 2004. The Xsara continues to be produced for the Chinese
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
market by Dongfeng Peugeot-Citroën Automobile
Dongfeng Peugeot-Citroën Automobile
Dongfeng Peugeot-Citroën Automobile is a joint venture between the Dongfeng Motor Corporation and the French PSA Peugeot Citroën. Based in Wuhan, capital of Hubei province, it manufactures Peugeot and Citroën models for sale in China...
, a joint venture
Joint venture
A joint venture is a business agreement in which parties agree to develop, for a finite time, a new entity and new assets by contributing equity. They exercise control over the enterprise and consequently share revenues, expenses and assets...
with the PSA Group.
The Xsara Picasso
Citroën Xsara Picasso
The Citroën Xsara Picasso is a compact MPV released by Citroën in 1999. At the time of its release, two trim levels were available, LX and SX, with a choice of three engines two 1.6 and 1.8 litre petrols, and a 2.0 Litre HDI engine, all shared with the smaller Citroën Xsara. The Executive trim...
small MPV was continued, concurring its successors.
Xsara WRC
The Xsara World Rally CarWorld Rally Car
World Rally Car is a term used to describe racing automobiles built to the specification set by the FIA, the international motorsports governing body, and used to compete in the outright class of the World Rally Championship...
, based on the road-going Xsara hatchback but ultimately having very little resemblance to it under the skin, was one of the most successful cars ever to compete in the World Rally Championship
World Rally Championship
The World Rally Championship is a rallying series organised by the FIA, culminating with a champion driver and manufacturer. The driver's world championship and manufacturer's world championship are separate championships, but based on the same point system. The series currently consists of 13...
. The car took Frenchman Sébastien Loeb
Sébastien Loeb
Sébastien Loeb is a French rally driver currently driving for the Citroën World Rally Team in the World Rally Championship...
to 28 rally wins, three consecutive Driver's Championship titles from 2004 to 2006, and Citroën to three consecutive Manufacturer's Championship titles in 2003, 2004, and 2005. Although it is the Frenchman who has proved the archetype Xsara WRC pilot virtually since its 2001 conception, Jesús Puras
Jesús Puras
Jesús Puras Vidal de la Peña , also known as 'Chus Puras', is a Spanish rally driver active in the World Rally Championship from 1991 to 2002...
, Carlos Sainz
Carlos Sainz
Carlos Sainz Cenamor is a Spanish rally driver. He won the World Rally Championship drivers' title with Toyota in 1990 and 1992, and finished runner-up four times...
and François Duval
François Duval
François Duval is a Belgian rally driver.-1999–2004:With victories in four events Duval won the Belgian Citroën Saxo Challenge title in 1999...
are the other drivers to have won.
2003 world champion Petter Solberg
Petter Solberg
Petter "Hollywood" Solberg , from Spydeberg in Østfold, Norway, is a professional rally driver. He debuted in the World Rally Championship in 1998 and was signed by the Ford factory team in 1999...
drove a 2006-spec Xsara for the majority of the 2009 season
2009 World Rally Championship season
The 2009 World Rally Championship season was the 37th season of the FIA World Rally Championship. The season consisted of twelve rallies and began on 30 January, with Rally Ireland and ended with Rally GB on 25 October. Sébastien Loeb won the World Drivers' championship at Rally GB by one point...
, which was entered by his own Petter Solberg World Rally Team.