Citroen XSARA Test drive 1997 - 2000 hatchback

Practical character

Citroen Csara 1.6SX Citroen XSARA 1.6SX
For the first time, Citroen Xara was shown at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 1997, and three months later sales began in Russia. Available with a five -door body in the trim levels X, XS and exclusive. It is equipped with 1.4-, 1.6- and 1.8-liter gasoline engines. Gearboxes - a mechanical five -speed or four -speed automatic. There is also a three -door hatchback with a two -liter power unit - VTS compartment.

French cars have not yet gained wide popularity in Russia. Meanwhile, they are distinguished by a good price-quality ratio. On our test, the French novelty of the golf class is Citroen Xara 1.6SX worth $ 19,140.
Xara replaced the outdated ZX model. The designers tried to preserve all the best qualities of the previous model and put them in a new form. Let's see how much it succeeded.
The front doorways are wide enough, but the bulky front panel does not allow you to easily sit behind the wheel. You have to go to the trick: first sit in a chair, then bring your legs and head into the salon. Approximately the same principle of planting on the rear seats.
The range of adjustments of the driver's seat allows you to conveniently accommodate not only the shorty, but also the two -meter giant. There is also an adjustment of the height of the pillow, which works on the principle further - lower, closer - higher. If the driver’s growth does not exceed 180 cm, then behind it you can sit very conveniently. But the three of the back is crowded. The high -inclined rear racks are literally pressed on the extreme passengers.
But back to the driver's place. The steering wheel is convenient, especially since it can be lifted-reckled or pulled-moving. An interesting feature: when the ignition is turned on on the liquid crystal odometer, residual mileage is displayed until the next inspection.

In our opinion, steering wheel switches are overloaded. For example, on the left, in addition to the traditional control of turning indicators, the dimensional lights, headlights and foglights rotate, rotating rings. In addition, typically in French, on his own end is the sound signal button. Not easier and with the right switch. The front and rear wipers with washer are hung on it, and in addition, heating the rear window (by the way, with a timer) - again with a end button.
And, of course, what Citroen without original technical solutions. In an inexpensive Xar, the designers abandoned complex hydropneumatics, nevertheless, the rear suspension is original and very compact - torsioned with almost horizontal shock absorbers. This design allows you to significantly increase the luggage compartment.
If you go calmly, gently gaining momentum, then the engine is even, without failures and noticeable pickups accelerates the car. But you just have to give gas - you will immediately feel that it is, although a distant, but still a relative of the Dakarov winners. Of course, having 1.6 liters and 90 forces under the hood, it is unlikely that you can feel like a rider. But in this engine there is one trick: it is equal by power to its 1.8-liter European fellow. This is done specifically for countries where customs duties are more profitable for importing cars with engines up to 1.6 liters.
The car does not annoy with wagons, rolls in corners. The suspension is impressive with energy intensity and even with maximum loading allows you to not particularly pay attention to asphalt potholes. Ksara is well obeyed by the steering wheel, she has effective brakes. It is only a pity that ABS is not included in the standard equipment.
Noise insulation of the cabin is made well. The engine is almost inaudible even at high speeds, does not tire the obsessive buzz of tires. However, on a winter road covered with snow, the tires behave much quieter.
Among classmates, Citroen Xara is close in price ($ 19,140) to purebred Europeans (Volkswagen Golf - 20,000), but more expensive than Koreans (DEU Nexia - 14,700, Kia Sephia 1.5 - 14,000), European Ford (escort 1.6 - 15900) and Skoda (Felicia 1.6 - 14 700). By the way, VAZ 2110 - $ 9 100 enters the same class.
Like many foreign cars, Xara requires 95th unhealthy gasoline and company service. It is necessary to do it every 15 thousand km, while the first thing is free. Warranty - a year without limiting a run and five years for a body. There is only one corporate service in Moscow (the cost of a norm -hour is $ 42), but you can serve the car at Peugeot or Fiat stations.
The editors thanks the company Torgtrans for the provided
for a test car.

+ Elastic engine, energy -intensive suspension, spacious trunk.
- Poor visibility through the internal rear -view mirror, the absence of ABS and airbags in standard configuration.

Through the click of the rear window you will not see much.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
General data: number of places - 5; Equipped mass - 1030 kg; full weight - 1580 kg; maximum speed - 175 km/h; acceleration time from a place to 100 km/h - 13.1 s; fuel consumption in conditional suburban and city cycles - 6.2; 11.0 l/100 km; fuel supply - 54 liters; Fuel - AI -95 gasoline is unhealthy. Dimensions, mm: length - 4167; width - 1698; height - 1401; base - 2540; The volume of the trunk is 408/1190 l. Engine: gasoline, with distributed injection, four-cylinder in a row, 8-valve, located in front transversely; working volume - 1580 cm; cylinder diameter and piston stroke - 83 x 73 mm; compression degree - 9.5; Power - 66 kW/90 liters. With. at 5000 rpm; The maximum torque is 147 N.M at 2600 rpm. Transmission: front wheel drive; gearbox - mechanical five -speed; Transporting numbers: I - 3.45; II - 1.87; III - 1.28; IV - 0.95; V - 0.80; h. X. - 3.33; The main program is 4.06. Suspension: front - independent type McEferson; The rear is an independent torsionic with a reptile stabilizer. Brakes: hydraulic with a vacuum amplifier; Front - disk ventilated, rear - drum. Steering: rheck with a hydraulic wrap. Tire size: 185/65R14.
Body equipment in the SX configuration: air conditioning, front electric windows, central remote control, audio training, a driver's seat adjustable in height.

SUMMARY
Xara came to Russia under the slogan changing images and styles. There are no former Sitroen extravagance and at all - just a solid European car for a person without special racing ambitions, as well as a family car for all occasions.
 
 

Vladimir Oleinikov.
Photo by Sergey Ivanov

Source: The magazine "Driving"