Citroen XSARA Test drive 1997 - 2000 hatchback

Equation with two "x"

This name can cause various associations. To some, the torches of fire worshipers will be held. Someone - the sands of northern Sahara or a beautiful -vanity spinning in a sparkling dance ... In fact, everything is much more prosaic - this name named a new car, on which Citroen laid an honorary and responsible task - to conquer the hearts of Russians.
Who are you, stranger?
Even if you remove family jewelry, its origin is determined without much difficulty. Young XSARA - from the old and noble French family Citroen. The sensual and elegant silhouette, the sophistication of the lines leave no doubt that she arrived from the country of beautiful language, beautiful wines, cognac, women, the best perfumers in the world. Its design harmoniously combines the cosmopolitanism of modern fashion and traditional stylistic solutions, it contains a special charm that immediately gives out.
Xsara looks very compact, and it is difficult to assume that such a scope will meet you outside the door. I often had to even in a larger car, pushing the seat to the limit out of habit, return it back. And those whose place on the gallery will not have to grunt, especially if the dimensions of the sitting at the wheel exceed the average. Indeed, the creators did not sin against the truth, claiming that this is the most spacious car in the M1 class.
The integrity and harmony of external lines are organically continued inside. The beautiful and symmetrical half -water of the dashboard smoothly flows into the central console and ends with a small rounded box for road trifles between the seats. The Xsara salon gently and carefully creates a sense of calm, confidence and comfort. But at the same time, a zone is clearly denoted, which belongs only to the one who is entrusted with managing, and is banned for the rest.
Most details of the cabin are made of dark gray high-quality plastic, they are soft and pleasant to the touch. Ostrifting dashboard and anthracite -colored front console are not only very beautiful, but also extremely functional: in the case of a strong frontal collision, this material crumbles and does not prevent the steering column with the departure of the driver.
Caring for security is by no means limited to this element. In Xsara, your precious bodies protects a complex multi -stage complex, which includes almost everything that a person invented in order to protect himself in a car accident. But if it so happened that you were not very lucky, then except for the power elements of the body and airbags, belts with a pyrotechnic device for prelimination will still take care of you, and you will be helped to avoid the fate in a faded machine, and the system that automatically turns off the engine in the case of Strong blow or overturning.
TO EACH HIS OWN
A good security system does not mean that this car gives Blanche cards to the one who is driving. It is necessary to restrain yourself, even when a 16-valve 112-horsepower engine in a small and yark machine acts like a powerful stimulant. And it is extremely difficult to resist the temptation to pull once or two times and, slipping through a sluggish and muddy from unwashed cars, break out of the will, leaving it far behind.
The diesel, on the contrary, acts as a good sedative. It has a slow movement of his physical self along a pre -planned route, shortly time in an interview with fellow travelers or fellow travelers, and if there weren’t there, then an mounted stereo system with control on the steering wheel, configured for a favorite wave, perfectly brighten boredom and loneliness.
Comfort and amenities will add a laconic and exhaustive set of devices, as well as almost all known options. The standard package includes the front electric windows, the electrical adjustment of the right side mirror, which is regulated in all directions, the rear -view mirror and other useful and necessary little things.
The semi-automatic climate control system with the filter allows you to choose the most comfortable mode and will maintain a given temperature. Rub the windows tightly, and excellent sound insulation will almost completely separate you from the noise and roar of the streets of the Big City. It is very effective, which is important for the diesel version - irritating sound does not penetrate the salon. Only a slight characteristic vibration remains.
The steering with a thick and a steering wheel controlled in height and depths will undoubtedly give pleasure to both an experienced driver and an emancipated lady who has recently sat behind the wheel. It is light, accurate and sharp. It is enough to hint with the movement of the fingers, and your XSARA immediately reacts, heading in the right direction. The hydraulic power steering is very correct, it facilitates control, but just enough to leave a good contact with the road.
Long transfers minimize the need for frequent clutch manipulations and a gearbox lever in urban mode. This property of the checkpoint is especially clearly manifested in a machine with a diesel engine that behaves as if an automatic checkpoint stood on it. Invaluable quality for the city car. The high -speed gasoline engine also picks up very well from low speeds in higher gears, quickly and steadily accelerating the car. It is very important for suburban conditions when you need to quickly accelerate and overtake some kind of overloaded seedlings or crops of the Kolymag with a dense oncoming stream. Diesel here, of course, loses, but not much.
The gasoline engine, by definition, should surpass the dynamics diesel. However, once again it turned out that in a large city, these advantages are reduced to almost zero. In any case, it was not possible to break away from the diesel colleague. Yes, and this, atmospheric, with a volume of 1.9, you can’t call this sluggish: it is a cut enough to leave the starting line at the traffic light in the first five. Nevertheless, this type of engine is for convinced supporters of a calm driving style. Or economical housewives.
The XSARA is holding on the road with some kind of feline tenacity. This is due to a unique patented independent suspension with up to 3 degrees with rear wheels. Its action is especially noticeable in steep turns. Plus, amazing absorbing ability - with relative stiffness, one does not have to study in detail the terrain of the area of \u200b\u200bthe schedule. Xsara showed high stability and predictability. She is ready to cooperate with you. Provide great opportunities to an experienced amateur to grab and forgive the mistakes of a beginner.
Forgive, but not all. The now fashionable form of the A La Coupe body and the specifically French arrangement of some control organs will force its new owners at first to pretty much strain and get used to it for a while. Especially with reversing maneuvers, since the review through the rear window is very limited and the risk of so popular in France, but not understood and not accepted by our contact parking lot. Grandmother running around the road also risk the risk, because the beep button is located on the left steering wheel switch, and the hand is habitful on the middle of the steering wheel
Life is a road
So, the first acquaintance took place. The task with many unknowns has been almost solved. One thing remains unclear, as it behaves in Russia and whether it will take root, but only time will be able to give an answer, and there are good inclinations. The mysterious XSARA turned out to be a pretty nice creature that many should like to like it. She, as befits a true Frenchwoman, is both logical at the same time, and in some ways contradictory; selfish, but also ready to compromise. She is a diversified and monotonous, but everyone will find in her what he likes. And the stylish and even partly defiant appearance will attract more than one look and will make more than one head turn after it.
The door is gently closed, the light slowly goes out inside the cabin, we say goodbye. Good luck to you in Russia, XSARA!
The autopilot thanks Torgtrans, (095) 961-1196, 961-1197, for cars provided for test.
For the period of the test, the cars were insured in the company RESO-Garantia, (095) 250-3600, 255-6834.
 
Citroen Xsara sales are just beginning. But very emotional relations with future customers began to start much earlier. Already in the prenatal period, Xsara managed to intrigue them. Moreover, in the most elementary way - in the name. In the century, when not a single car name enters the market before it is verified how convenient it is to pronounce it in all known languages, Citroen came up with such a new product that you can’t say even in his native French. Unpronounceable, - newspapers shouted in one voice. And they fell asleep with fax and calls with a request to clarify what is meant. Satisfied with the fact that the trick was successful and the nationwide attention was drawn to the novelty without any cash costs, the leadership was embarked on extensive explanations (clearly invented on the go). On the one hand, you see, the letter X at the beginning of the word means a secret. On the other hand, there is a romantic association with sugar. With the third - it turned out a name resembling the Russian word king. With the fourth yes, rarely which car has a name so vividly participates in marketing. In general, this resembles a little reminiscent of the history of the Kyrgyz city of Bishkek, which in former times was called Frunze, despite the fact that the Kyrgyz does not have sound and they pronounced the word in their own way: Prunze.
The next blow was advertised: they decided to shock the intrigued citizens. They turn on the TV and see the brand new Zaru (or Xaru, or Kzar, or Gzaru, who will analyze it), which accelerates and from all over the vanity of the unaware car of an unknown brand. A blow, a rattle of metal, instantly inflated airbags. The video, which is now hundreds, but the thing is that in the dawn there is not a soulless mannequin, but the real living Claudia Schiffer. This has not happened yet! Upling to the air pillow, the top model calmly crawls out of what is left of the car, and, casually throwing over my shoulder: I would not trust my face with the other car, removes with a gait of the fashion model.
Judge for yourself if the buyer could not run to the Citroen salons after such a prelude. In Russia, the first 35 ZA was sold in a few days. But in England everything turned out exactly the opposite. Advertising so vividly reminded the British about the death of their beloved princess that after her release, who took a good launch, sales went abruptly.
Model/Modification Citroen Xsara 1.8i 16V Citroen Xsara 1.9d
Automobiles Citroen Automobiles Citroen manufacturer
The country-producing France France
BODY
Type hatchback hatchback
Number of doors/places 5/5 5/5
ENGINE
Basin type with multi -point electronic injection diesel with direct injection
The location in front transversely transversely
Working volume (cubic meter) 1761 1905
Number/location of cylinders 4/longitudinal
Cylinder diameter x Piston stroke (mm) 83.0x81.4 83.0x88.0
Compression degree 10.4: 1 23: 1
Power, kW (L.S.) at about./Min. 81 (112) at 5500 50 (68) at 4000
Moment, NM at about./Min. 155 at 4250 120 at 2000
The number of valves per cylinder 4/2 4/2
TRANSMISSION
Type is a mechanical five -speed
Front -wheel drive
SUSPENSION
Anterior independent spring type MacPherson with a reptile stability stabilizer
The rear independent, torsion, with the effect of steering, on horizontal shock absorbers, the central beam of the bridge
STEERING
Type gear rack with a hydraulic booster
The diameter of the steering wheel (mm) 375 375
The number of revolutions between extreme provisions 3.3 33
Min. The diameter of the turn (m) 10.70 10.70
Brakes
Front disc, ventilated disk, ventilated
The rear drive drum
Diameter per./Ass. (mm) 266/247 247/180
ABS option option
Wheels
Tire size 185/65 R14 185/65 R14
Stamped wheels, 14'X5.5J Stamped, 14'X5.5J
Dimensions/about EME/Weight
Length/width/height (mm) 4167/1698/1405 4167/1698/1405
Wheel base (mm) 2540 2540
The track front/track of the back (mm) 1423/1430 1423/1430
Trunk volume (cubic meter)
normal 0.408 0.408
full, with folded seats 1.190 1.190
The volume of the fuel tank (L) 54 54
Dry/total mass (kg) 1102/1620 1091/1630
Dynamic characteristics
Aerodynamic resistance coefficient, CX 0.33 0.32
Maximum speed (km/h) 195 162
Acceleration to 100 km/h (sec.) 10.7 17.2
Economy
Fuel consumption (l/100 km)
city \u200b\u200b12 8.3
highway 6.3 5.3
mixed cycle 8.3 6.4
The price of the $ 20.8 thousand $ 21.3 thousand thousand thousand in Moscow.
 
What else
The reaction of the public to the appearance of a new car in the class of the first average was far from unambiguous and to a greater extent very critical. It is not surprising, since in this sector of the market for many years the palm belonged to the VW Golf, from whose name the second common name of this class of cars came - golf class. Having launched his XSARA on the market at the end of 1997, Citroen quite unequivocally challenged him a serious challenge.
There is no doubt that it is Golf in the last, fourth version that is the main competitor to Xsara. The prevailing authority and image, proven quality, a large and diverse selection of engines and configurations make Golf very attractive for the European consumer. Whether he will become so for Russia - will show the future, although the truth should be recognized that this car is much more famous in Russia than than
Citroen. Probably, much will depend on the export policy of manufacturers.
Renault Megane has been sold in Russia for almost a year. In the French car tablet, he takes a step by a step lower than Citroen. On the other hand, this car in its characteristics is very close to Xsara, even outwardly visible a fair resemblance. Therefore, the issue of choosing between him and Xsara may depend to a greater extent on the factors of subjective than objective ones. For the Russian consumer, the presence of service structures may also play an important role in this.
Opel Astra has existed in today's form since 1995. It loses a little to its French rivals in design, but in all other characteristics it is practically not inferior. In the luggage of Opel in Russia there are a number of positive and negative points, but in general it is quite capable of composing serious competition.
In general, all these cars are in many ways identical, but everyone necessarily has something that distinguishes him from rivals both for the better and for the worse. Therefore, the choice between them is a matter of emotions, personal sympathies and a wallet.
 
Andrey Timofeev,
Dmitry Novokreshhenov (photo)

 

Source: "Autopilot"