Citroen Xsara VTS (136)
Test Drive

Citroen Xsara VTS (136)

Egoism is, of course, an extensible concept, and its interpretation depends on the individual. The Xsara VTS, for example, which is an Xsara Coupé with a powerful two-liter engine, two doors and sports equipment, could be a selfish car. At least by definition.

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Citroen Xsara VTS (136)

The strongest reason we sat in this car is the brand new engine. Its design is otherwise quite commonplace for this type of product: it has two camshafts in the head, 16 valves, four cylinders and nothing technically shocking. Its maximum power is significantly less than the two-liter, but with other measures of bore and movement, and with this engine, Citroën tries to bring the GTI class closer to the average demanding driver.

Considering the power and torque of this machine, this one is very friendly; is powerful enough that such an Xsara deservedly forces itself into the GTI class, has nicely distributed torque that frequent gear lever intervention is not necessary, and is powerful enough to drive piles almost to the end of the scale on the speedometer.

We did not spare him in our test, but we found some resentment: he becomes greedy when chasing, he is unusually loud at medium and high revs (even in the cockpit) and he does not show the right will to turn at the highest revs. It is true, however, that the other two-liter engine with almost 170 horsepower is more intended for such a racing-sport driving style. The difference between them in the Xsarah VTS is around 200 thousand, and for that money you can - if you are not a really demanding driver - pick up quite a few other, perhaps more important equipment, such as more engine power.

If we subtract the brakes, which always give a good braking feeling even in demanding driving, and the suspension, which is still very comfortable despite the increased stiffness, the rest of the mechanics are just average. The question of reasonableness still hangs over the elasticity of the rear axle.

To refresh: the semi-rigid rear axle is elastically clamped so that it bends in a corner under the influence of centrifugal force, so that the driver has to turn the steering wheel a little less than he would otherwise have to. In practice, it turns out that the reactions of the rear axle are such that in a more sporty entry into a bend, the car swings slightly around the vertical axis, and therefore the steering wheel needs to be slightly repaired a few times. Uncomfortable, unusual, maybe even a little strange, but I would definitely put my hand in the fire to simply eliminate this elasticity in the racing versions of the Xsare.

The gearbox is nothing sporty either. Don’t get me wrong: it’s good enough for a normal ride, but anyone who wants to spice up a sporty ride with a fast shift will be a little disappointed.

However, this is also the first Xsara Coupé in our test to have a modified body - especially you will notice larger headlights of a different look. But such an Xsara is still a nice compromise between a three-door sedan and a station wagon. The rear very flat pane stands out (and with it limited back visibility), the sporty look is given by the large gauges on a white background, and the special engine oil temperature gauge is even more impressive.

Much more sporty than the look promises, the seats are, but they have an awkward tilt adjustment lever. They sit relatively high on them, depending on the position of the dashboard and windshield, but if you lower the steering wheel completely, it will almost completely cover the gauges.

And yet the Xsara Coupé, with all its features, good and bad, is a very useful “family” van. Egoism is certainly an exaggerated adjective in her case, although many more pampered customers are likely to prefer the five-door version. Such an Xsara VTS, however, thus remains reserved for those who would like more usability with a slight spice of selfishness.

Vinko Kernc

PHOTO: Vinko Kernc

Citroen Xsara VTS (136)

Basic data

Sales: Citroën Slovenia
Base model price: 14.927,72 €
Calculate the cost of auto insurance
Power:100kW (138


KM)
Acceleration (0-100 km / h): 8,6 with
Maximum speed: 210 km / h
Mixed flow ECE: 7,7l / 100km

Technical information

engine: 4-cylinder - 4-stroke - in-line - petrol - transverse front mounted - bore and stroke 85,0 × 88,0 mm - displacement 1997 cm3 - compression 10,8:1 - maximum power 100 kW (138 hp .) at 6000 rpm - maximum torque 190 Nm at 4100 rpm - crankshaft in 5 bearings - 2 camshafts in the head (timing belt) - 4 valves per cylinder - electronic multipoint injection and electronic ignition - liquid cooling 7,0 .4,3 l - engine oil XNUMX l - variable catalyst
Energy transfer: the engine drives the front wheels - 5-speed synchronized transmission - gear ratios I. 3,450; II. 1,870 Hours; III. 1,280 Hours; IV. 0,950; V. 0,800; reverse 3,330 - differential 3,790 - tires 195/55 R 15 (Michelin Pilot SX)
Capacity: top speed 210 km / h - acceleration 0-100 km / h 8,6 s - fuel consumption (ECE) 11,4 / 5,6 / 7,7 l / 100 km (unleaded gasoline, elementary school 95)
Transportation and suspension: 3 doors, 5 seats - self-supporting body - front individual suspensions, spring legs, triangular cross rails, stabilizer - rear individual suspensions, longitudinal guides, spring torsion bars, telescopic shock absorbers, stabilizer - two-circuit brakes, front disc (forced-cooled), rear , power steering, ABS - steering wheel with rack and pinion, power steering
Mass: empty vehicle 1173 kg - permissible total weight 1693 kg - permissible trailer weight with brake 1100 kg, without brake 615 kg - permissible roof load 75 kg
External dimensions: length 4188 mm - width 1705 mm - height 1405 mm - wheelbase 2540 mm - track front 1433 mm - rear 1442 mm - driving radius 10,7 m
Inner dimensions: length 1598 mm - width 1440/1320 mm - height 910-960 / 820 mm - longitudinal 870-1080 / 580-730 mm - fuel tank 54 l
Box: normally 408-1190 liters

Our measurements

T = 15 ° C – p = 1010 mbar – otn. vl. = 39%


Acceleration 0-100km:8,9s
1000m from the city: 30,1 years (


171 km / h)
Maximum speed: 210km / h


(V.)
Minimum consumption: 10,5l / 100km
test consumption: 11,6 l / 100km
Braking distance at 100 km / h: 38,4m
Noise at 50 km / h in 3rd gear56dB
Noise at 50 km / h in 4rd gear56dB
Noise at 50 km / h in 5rd gear54dB
Test errors: the power steering pump failed

evaluation

  • With the weaker of the two engines, the Citroën Xsara VTS is a moderately sporty car designed for a wider, less demanding and less driver-savvy customer base. Due to the body design and small attention to the interior, it is also a family-friendly car, but also a very fast car. But it is not perfect.

We praise and reproach

friendly engine

sports gauges

sports seats

many drawers inside

large and transparent screen on the dashboard

some good ergonomic solutions

unsportsmanlike gearbox

rear axle elasticity

some poor ergonomic solutions

big key

fuel tank cap with key only

crosswind sensitivity

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