Citroën Visa

The Citroën Visa is a supermini that was produced by the French car marque Citroën from 1978 to 1988.

The Visa was the first new model under the platform-sharing policy of PSA Peugeot Citroën after the takeover of Citroën by Peugeot in the wake of the 1974 oil crisis — the earlier Citroën LNA was just a re-engine and facelift of the Peugeot 104 "Shortcut". The Visa used much of the same mechanics as the 104, although the Visa lacked the Peugeot's three-door hatchback option, being available only as a five-door hatchback. A light van sharing much with the Visa was also produced - the Citroën C15.

Initially the Visa was available in "Spécial" and "Club" models (652cc, 2-cylinder), and a "Super" model (the 11RE after 1984), with the advanced Peugeot 1124 cc Douvrin engine / PSA X engine, a four-cylinder "Suitcase engine" — all aluminium alloy, chain driven overhead cam, with gearbox in the sump, sharing engine oil, mounted almost on its side. The 1124cc was as economical as the Citroën 2CV-derived twin, but with much better performance. Later on it had 1219cc and then 954cc and 1360cc versions of the same engine. In 1982 the Visa underwent a major external restyling, proposed by Heuliez, to look more mainstream. It kept the original interior and "Satellite" controls until 1985 when, along with the Citroen BX, it was updated with a new bulkier dashboard, instruments and switchgear that made the car feel smaller inside. Stalk switchgear like contemporary Peugeots added self-cancelling indicators. It had very soft, but well damped, long travel, fully independent suspension (all-round MacPherson struts), that caused it to have a rolling ride like the Citroën 2CV, but without such extreme roll angles. Car magazine made the Visa diesel one of its top ten models on the market for two years running in the mid-1980s for its versatility (higher models in the range had split rear seats which could be lifted-out to give an almost van-like luggage capacity); ride comfort ("like a limousine"); its ability to maintain high average speeds due to high levels of grip; and value for money. It was also particularly aerodynamically stable at high speeds for a relatively light, narrow and tall car. It would remain unperturbed by cross-winds and truck bow waves at motorway speeds.[citation needed] Long time Car magazine columnist, the late George Bishop, actually bought one with his own money.