Citroën AX

Citroën AX three-door (1986-1991)

The Citroën AX is a small car model by the French automaker Citroën. He was accompanied by the fall of 1986, built by the end of 1998 the factory Aulnay -sous- Bois, northeast of Paris.

• AX 4.1 Diesel
• 4.2 AX Sport / GT / GTi
• AX 4.3 4 × 4
• 4.4 Special models
• 4.5 AX Electrique

Positioning

The AX entered the successor to the Citroën Visa and Citroën LN and should thus close the gap that had opened in the 1980s between the midrange model in Citroën BX on one side and the now-obsolete Citroën 2CV on the other side.

Development and model history

The primary objective in the development of the AX was to make a small car with the largest possible interior space and minimum weight on the wheels. As a model of knowledge ECO 2000 project, on the basis began to develop the first prototype named S9 in 1981 served thereby. At the design of the designer Nuccio Bertone worked with, who contributed several drafts.

The achieved low mass, colloquially weight ( the entry-level version AX 10 E weighed only 640 kg ) was mainly due to the consistent use of lightweight materials, such as was the lower part of the tailgate plastic.

As with other Citroens, the body was Streamlined. The drag coefficient (Cd ) of 0.31 in 1986 was unusually small for this class of vehicle.

A high corrosion resistance was achieved by the use of galvanized sheets, Kunststoffradhausschalen and cavity sealing.

The Citroen AX was launched in the spring of 1986 at the Paris Motor Show. From September of the same year it was sold in France, in March 1987, the AX was introduced to the German market.

The first series had a variety of shelves and storage options throughout the cabin to own. The front doors of the three-door even had bracket, where the French were 1.5-liter soda bottles space.

Early 1988, until then only available dreitürig AX was complemented by a five-door variant. The bottle holder gave way in this version, however, the speakers.

In motor sport success has been achieved, especially with the high-performance versions Sport and GTi with this model.

The AX was also offered with a diesel engine. This variant was for many years the most fuel-efficient mass-produced car in the world.

Citroën AX five-door hatchback (1988-1991)

Citroën AX Sport (1987-1988)

Facelift

In July 1991, some model enhancements were made to the AX. The most striking differences were outside white indicator lenses front, a modified tailgate and the now centrally mounted on the hood trademark. Comprehensive fell from the changes in the interior. The many critics described as rugged instrument panel has been greatly smoothed out some of the " small stuff shelves " accounted for.

The 1.4 liter diesel born in 1992, according to the prospectus of a Citroën consumption at 90 km / h of 3.2 liters per 100 km was specified, but with special low rolling resistance tires from Michelin.

In 1994, the AX Eco consumption of 2.7 l/100 km world record on. The Eco was a modified experimental vehicle, based on the diesel model. The only 672 kg heavy car, was designed for a long translated gear and modifications to the injection. In addition, lightweight plastic body components and aerodynamic fairings were used. The tire had very low rolling resistance.

In December 1998, ended production in France, after 2,424,808 copies of different variants and special models had left the factory. Successor is the Citroën Saxo. In Malaysia, the AX was still produced until 2000 under license as Proton Tiara for the Asian market.

Rear view

Cockpit

The engine of the type " TU " was derived from the "X" engine, which was introduced in the Peugeot 104 and also used in the 205. He was not as strongly tilted backwards as the X and the gear was next to it and not under it. The chassis was equipped with MacPherson struts at the front and parallel swing and torsion bar springs. Drive block underbody and suspension of the Citroën AX can also be found in the Peugeot 106 from 1991.

Motors

For the Citroën AX specially the new TU- engine generation was introduced, which proved to be very robust and easy to maintain. The water-cooled four-cylinder inline engine of the AX is installed transversely. The carburetor of the engines of the first series were later replaced by modern injection systems with regulated catalytic converter.

Model development, consumption and weights

Special models 1987: En Vogue, Hit FM

AX 10 E AX 10 RE AX K.Way

AX 11 RE AX 11 TRE

AX 14 TRS AX 14 TZS AX 14 TZX

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In the " Entreprise " models mentioned above, it was the entry-level versions of AX with minimal equipment and low engine sold only in France. These models were only produced with gasification technology, and sold until 1993, when the new Einspritzerversionen with regulated catalytic converter were available long ago. There was also a 4 x 4 version.

Special models from 1988: Air France Madame, K.Way, Olympique, tonic, Volcane, Image, spot, Opera de Paris

AX 10

AX 11

AX 14

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AX 1.0i

AX 1.1i

AX 1.4i

Exclusive Furio

AX diesel

The first AX Diesel came in February 1989 with the newly developed TUD diesel engine on the market, the 39 kW made ​​( 53 hp ) 1.4 liter displacement. The average consumption was 4.6 l/100 km. He had no catalyst. That changed with the delivered from March 1992 low emission diesel, which reached a favorable fuel consumption of 4.2 l/100 km with a modified cylinder head, oxidation catalyst and a longer translate gear. In September 1994, the AX diesel with a new engine, which is now at 1.5 liter engine received a power of 40 kW developed (54 hp). The consumption thereby increased slightly to a still frugal 4.5 l/100 km. Due to the high vehicle taxes for the model, the AX Diesel opened up no major buyers.

AX Sport / GT / GTi

The AX Sport was released in April 1987 in France, to Germany, he came up with about half a year delay. It had a 1294 cc engine with dual carburetors large, the developed 70 kW (95 hp). He was, however, made ​​only until December 1988.

As of January 1988, it was produced in parallel with the sport of AX GT. The engine of the GT was 62 kW ( 84 hp) and was, as at that time still common, was revised without cat was only when the AX in the summer of 1991, offered the Citroën AX GT with catalyst who then is only 55 kW (75 PS) made ​​from a displacement of 1360 cc.

In the summer of 1991, the AX GTi also appeared with multi- point injection (BOSCH Motronic MP 3.1) instead of carburetors. Now a lambda control of the exhaust gas behavior was possible, which also allowed the use of catalytic converters. The vehicles for the German market, the peak power ( 94 hp ) was 69 kW at 6600/min, the max. Torque of 117 Nm was reached at 4200 rpm. The final speed is 7200 rpm and the compression ratio was increased slightly over the 75 -horsepower engine to 9.6:1.

In other countries, the GTi came with a compression ratio of 9.9:1 and 72 kW ( 98 hp ) at 6800 rpm and without catalyst. The end of 1996 its production was stopped.

The Citroën AX in the versions Sport and GTi found and still finds frequent use in motorsport. In the area Rallycross the vehicle together with its 1.4 liter cubic capacity a favorable entry-level model, with even young people to gather real racing experience from sixteen years and without a license. The combination of light weight, compactness and high performance was ideal for the Rallycross sports.

Sven Seeliger, Germany so far only Rallycross European champion, took his title with a Citroën AX GTi. From the European banished, the homologation was later extended to the national series. In Sweden and Denmark, the vehicle is often used in youth development and there is a separate class, which is referred to Rallycross sports in Germany as Division 5.

In the third round of the International German Rallycross Championship 2006, which was held in the Danish Nysum, were all eight Citroën AX in the final, the double victory went to the brothers Clemens and Julian Meyer.

AX 4 × 4

In August 1991, the AX range has been complemented by the all-wheel drive AX 4 × 4. He was strong in 1360 - cc engine from the AX GT offered as a three-and five-door and with the 55 kW (75 hp).

From the outside, this model can be recognized by strong laterally extending side moldings from plastic and an increase by 25 mm ground clearance.

The rear-wheel drive is pneumatically activated by a switch on the dashboard.

The well-equipped AX 4 × 4 was in the Fünftürerversion with an unladen weight of 840 kg, the heaviest of all mass- AX.

Special models

• AX Air France Madame: finish in black, chrome grille, decorative strips, sport steering wheel
• Formula AX: Edition 600, paint white, decorative strips, sport steering wheel, black jersey upholstery
• AX Image: decorative strips, metallic paint and special seat covers
• AX K-Way: Logo, decor and seat covers in the style of fashion brand of the same
• AX Noir: Metallic paint in black, chrome rubbing strips and decorative strips
• AX Plaisir: red or white paint, panoramic roof, sport steering wheel and decorative strips
• AX Salsa: Metallic paint in black, chrome rubbing strips and decorative strips
• AX Spot: painted in red, decorative strips
• AX Teen (1st series): Available in White, Blue or Red, decorative strips, Jersey Seat Covers
• AX Teen (2nd series): Available in White, Black, Red or Grey, wheel trims, decorative strips, Jersey Seat Covers
• AX Teen Tonic metallic paint in blue, green or violet, decorative strips, Jersey Seat Covers
• AX triad: Edition 900, painted in blue, panoramic roof, decorative strips and Jersey Blue seat covers
• AX Volcane: Metallic paint in dark gray, decorative strips, partial leather upholstery

AX Electrique

The placed in small series in 1994 on the market AX Electrique was the first production Citroën with electric drive. The electric car had a pure electric drive, a 11 kW dc shunt motor, which allowed a top speed of 91 km / h. Its range was about 120 km. The batteries with a voltage of 120 volts and a load capacity of 100 Ah were distributed in the engine compartment and underbody, whereby the interior was preserved. The power consumption is about 13-18 kWh per 100 km. Due to the weight gain - the empty weight was 995 kg compared to the conventionally powered models - the Electrique was only approved for four people.

With the replacement of the AX series by the Citroën Saxo and AX Electrique was set in late 1996 and replaced by the Saxo electrique.

Both types, AX and Saxo electrique were together only about 2800 times built and exported in small quantities to Germany, among others for the vehicle fleet of the HEW (Hamburger electricity providers). By NiCd batteries of juice they are given proper care very robust in use, and there are battery lifetimes have been achieved by over 120,000 km.