Citroën Xsara

The Citroën Xsara is a compact automobile produced by French manufacturer Citroën since 1997.

Like its predecessor, the Citroën ZX, the Xsara was based around the running gear of the Peugeot 306. It came in both hatchback and estate/station wagon body styles. The 1.4, 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0 petrol engines were sourced from its Peugeot twin and gave reasonable refinement, performance and economy. A 1.9 turbo-diesel engine was also available.

The Xsara hatchback was discontinued and replaced by the C4 in 2004. However, as of 2005, the station wagon version is still produced, and is unlikely to be replaced when it is phased out.

The Xsara continues to be produced for the Chinese market by the Dongfeng Peugeot-Citroën Automobile, a joint venture with the PSA Group.

Xsara Picasso

The Xsara Picasso was Citroën's answer to the enormously popular "mini-MPV" Renault Scénic when it went on sale late in 1999. The rear seats could be removed to create extensive stowage space, and the car was well equipped for its class and price. It soon became the bestselling MPV in France, Great Britain, and most of the rest of Europe.

In early 2003 the Xsara Picasso in the UK was given a 2.0i 16v engine with a 4 speed Automatic gear box, which was needed as the Picasso was only available with manual transmission for the first 3 years of production.

The Xsara hatchback having been replaced by the C4 in 2004, a Picasso replacement based on the C4 is expected to appear in 2006. It is expected that the new vehicle will exist in both short and long wheelbase.

Engines

• 1.6L (1587cc) TU5 I4, 95PS (94hp/70kW) and 100ft·lbf (136N·m)
• 1.6L (1597cc) DV6 HDi Diesel I4, 110PS (108hp/81kW) and 177ft·lbf (240N·m)
• 2.0L (1997cc) EW10 I4, 137PS (135hp/101kW) and 141ft·lbf (191N·m)

Xsara WRC

The Xsara WRC rally car, based on the road-going Xsara hatchback but ultimately having very little resemblance to it under the skin, was a major competitor in the World Rally Championship. The car took Frenchman Sébastien Loeb to two consecutive Driver's Championship titles in 2004 and 2005, and Citroën to three consecutive Manufacturer's Championship titles in 2003, 2004, and 2005.