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| Citroën Saxo | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Citroën |
| Also called | Citroën Chanson (Japan, 1997–1999) |
| Production | 1996–2003 |
| Assembly | Aulnay-sous-Bois, France (PSA Aulnay-sous-Bois Plant) Mangualde, Portugal |
| Designer | Donato Coco[1] |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Subcompact Car (B) |
| Body style | 3/5-doorhatchback |
| Layout | Front-engine, front-wheel-drive |
| Related | Peugeot 106 Citroën AX |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | |
| Electric motor | Electric motor |
| Transmission | 5-speedmanual 3-speedautomatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,385 mm (93.9 in) |
| Length | 3,718 mm (146.4 in) 3,737 mm (147.1 in) (VTS) |
| Width | 1,595 mm (62.8 in) 1,620 mm (63.8 in) (VTS) |
| Height | 1,379 mm (54.3 in) |
| Curb weight | 805–935 kg (1,775–2,061 lb) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Citroën AX |
| Successor | Citroën C2 (three-door) Citroën C3 (five-door) |
TheCitroën Saxo is asupermini car which was produced by the French manufacturerCitroën from 1996 to 2003. It was sold in Japan as theCitroën Chanson, becauseHonda had registered the "Saxo" name.[2] The Saxo was a development of theCitroën AX andPeugeot 106, which shared a platform and running gear (the major difference being interiors and body panels). It was discontinued in 2003, when it was replaced with theCitroën C2 andCitroën C3 which launched a year earlier. Both models were developed alongside thePeugeot 206.
All engines were from thePSA TU engine series that powered the Peugeot 205 from 1988 and the Citroën AX, and had their roots before that with the OHCPSA X engine various other PSA cars used such as theCitroën Visa and the predecessors of thePeugeot 206 (Peugeot 104 andPeugeot 205). The range included five petrol engines and onediesel engine, all naturally aspirated.[citation needed]
Although the quoted power outputs are low in comparison to modern small hatchbacks, or even to other hatchbacks of the time, the kerb weight was generally very low, with even the range-topping VTS having a kerb weight of just 935 kg (2,061 lb), with other smaller engine models (except the diesel) being around 100 kg lighter than this.
This meant a high power to weight ratio resulting in decent acceleration and made the car suitable for city driving. Aside from the VTS which had 16 valves, all engines were the older SOHC units which meant relatively low city MPG figures. Even the popular 1.1i engine would struggle to achieve more than 35 to 40mpg in town when driven carefully.
The real world consumption between the smaller engines and the nippy 1.4i Westcoast/Furio variant was hardly noticeable, however the insurance premiums were. The early 1.0i was quite under powered, with the 1.1i being considered much better, since it was nearly 200cc larger and had roughly 30% more torque.
There were three sport models of the Saxo:
These models included 247 mm (9.7 in) vented front brake discs, with the VTR and VTS also having rear brake discs (solid 247 mm (9.7 in) discs). Also, a different style of control arms and struts was used for the suspension. The VTS had a 22 mm (0.9 in) master brake cylinder, and the VTR and Westcoast/Furio had a 19 mm (0.7 in).
The VTS had a 19 mm (0.7 in) front anti roll bar and 22 mm (0.9 in) rear anti roll bar, while the VTR and Westcoast/Furio had a 19 mm (0.7 in) front and 21 mm (0.8 in) or sometimes 19 mm (0.7 in) rear antiroll bar. In addition, all the sports models featured a unique bodykit to the other models, commonly known as the "VT" bodykit.
In 1997, the Saxo's three speed automatic gearbox was combined with the 1.6i 8V 66 kW (90 hp) engine which was available on the Saxo SX and VSX. Then, in the end of 1997, the 1.6i automatic was replaced with a 1.4i 55 kW (75 hp) engine. The 1.6i was more powerful with a top speed of 176 km/h (109MPH) compared with the 1.4's top speed of 103 mph (166 km/h).
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Citroën carried on using the 1.4i engine on the facelift Saxo Automatic in 1999. Due to the C3 having a 1.4i automatic gearbox, the Saxo Automatic came to an end in March 2002, whilst the manual models were still sold right up to the end of 2003. An electric version of the Saxo with the engine swapped for an electric motor was also sold as the Saxo électrique.
The equipment list was generally sparse, with budget models having drivers airbag, seat belt pre tensioners, cassette player, heated rear screen and tinted windows, and early Mark Ones with keypad immobilisers and a clock in place of a tachometer and three stud wheels, much like theAX. Further up the list sunroofs, PAS, Electric windows, ultrasonic alarm, passenger airbag, CD player, tachometer, front fog lights, bodykits, colour coded mirror caps and alloy wheels were added, to name a few.
Although MK2 Saxos were generally better equipped than their older counterparts, the interiors were still dated in comparison to other small hatchbacks of the time, such as theVauxhall Corsa, with many of the center console controls originating from the older model of theCitroën AX.
The 1.6L VTR and VTS Saxos were the best equipped, with both gaining rear disc brakes as opposed to drum brakes, and ABS as standard for the VTS and an optional extra on all other 1.6-liter models.
Few special models were released throughout the Saxo's life, most notably the "Open Scandal", a Saxo with a full-length sliding canvas roof. Other special editions added certain extras to the lower end model, such as sunroofs or PAS. Notable models are the Westcoast up to 1999 and the Furio to 2003, as they incorporated the standard Saxo bodykit found on the VTR and VTS with a more insurance friendly 1.4-liter engine. The Westcoast is not to be confused with the Eastcoast, which was only available in the 1.0L and later 1.1L engines. The Eastcoast also did not incorporate the "VT" bodykit.
Air conditioning was never an option on right hand drive Saxos because the blower motor was mounted in the bulk head on the driver's side. As a result, there was insufficient space available to accommodate the evaporator, except by first ducting the air flow to the passenger's side and then at the expense of the glove box.
Although an after market kit was available that did exactly this, the resultant pressure loss made the system noisy and ineffective. The blower motor could also not be easily relocated, since the windscreen wiper motor was mounted in the passenger's side space.
In September 1999, the Saxo received a facelift, commonly branded as a Mark II, with the major differences being more modern styled headlights, bonnet and grille to replace the square style on the MK1 and multipoint injection replacing the single point on the 1.1-liter engines. In September 2000, it was aEuro NCAP sufferer of poor results, along with its twin, the106.[citation needed]
Power steering became standard on all but the very basic models. More subtle changes were alterations to the rear lights (the indicator sections are more "white") and theengine control unit moved from a single plug to three plugs. The old three-stud wheel layout, as used on the Citroën AX, was also dropped. There was also a minor facelift, during the first phase of the car's production, in line with the then current releases by Citroën, moving towards a rounder look.
While the exterior was markedly altered, little changed inside the vehicle. The dashboard and glovebox arrangement remained the same with the possibility of installing a passenger-side airbag in some high range models.
By 2003, some buyers were more attracted to the spacious, and practical five-door C3. However, the 1.6 VTR and VTS models remained popular. The Saxo finally finished production in September 2003, when the three-door C2 was launched. Its twin, the Peugeot 106, also ceased production at this time. Near the end of the Saxo's production life, its design was seven years old.
The Saxo has adrag coefficient ofCd=0.340.[3] In addition its frontal area is 1.83 m2,[3] giving it aCdA ft² of6.68.
The Citroën Saxo has competed in the S1600/Kit Car class in Rally events since 1997. The car notably appeared in theWorld Rally Championship between 1997 and 2007.[4]
As of 2025, the car has racked up over 700 podiums and 200 wins.[5]
The Citroën Saxo competed in endurance racing events in Germany and the Netherlands regularly between 1997 and 2007, mostly in theNurburgring 24 Hours.[6]
A Citroën Saxo notably competed in the1998 Spa 24 Hours and finished 30th.[7]
The Citroen Saxo is the basis for the Junior Saloon Car Championship for young racing drivers aged 14 to 17[8] that has run since 2014.[9]
Prior to 2014, the series was called the SAXMAX Championship and had run since 2006.[10]
2014 Champion James Dorlin and 2022 ChampionMax Hall went on to race in theBritish Touring Car Championship in 2025.
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