Citroën Xantia

The Citroën Xantia was a mid-size automobile produced by the French manufacturer Citroën between 1993 and 2001.

History

The Xantia replaced the earlier Citroën BX and maintained the high level of popularity of the previous model.

It signalled that Citroën had learned from the reception given the staid Citroën ZX, introduced two years earlier and criticised by contemporary journalists for its lack of traditional Citroën flair in engineering and design. The Xantia addressed these concerns in an updated, conventionally attractive form.

Although the Xantia was not as dramatically styled as the BX, it was certainly more distinctive than its contemporaries such as the conservative Ford Mondeo and Opel Vectra (Vauxhall Vectra/Cavalier). The Xantia also used the traditional Citroën hydropneumatic suspension system pioneered in the legendary DS. It was initially only available as a hatchback (Berline), but an estate car (Break) version built by Heuliez appeared in 1995.

In line with PSA policy, Xantia used the floorpan, core structure and the engines from the Peugeot 406, launched 2 years later.

Suspension

From an engineering perspective, the Xantia's biggest advance was the suspension. From launch, the more expensive models were available with an enhanced version of the XM's Hydractive computer-controlled version of the hydropneumatic set-up. This used extra suspension spheres to allow a soft ride in normal conditions, but taut body control during hard braking, acceleration or cornering.

In 1995, the Activa technology was introduced, which again used a combination of computer control and mechanical changes to all but eliminate body roll. The Xantia was the last Citroën to use a common hydraulic circuit for suspension, brakes and steering like the pioneering Citroën DS.

Engines

Power came courtesy of the familiar Peugeot XU petrol engines, this time in 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0 litre capacities, a 2.0 litre 16-valve version for VSX, 2.0 TCT (Turbo Continuesly Torque) and even a 3.0 V6 engine, and later a 1.8 16-valve and a 2.0 16-valve. The popular XUD turbodiesel units in 1.9 litre (turbocharged: 92 hp, low-pressure turbo: 75pk, or not: 71 hp) capacity proved to be the best selling engine. The biggest diesel was 2.1TD with output of 109 hp.