Citroen celebrates the 4th anniversary of the Xantia model, which was launched on March 1993, 30 and was chosen as the best car of the year in the year it was introduced to the market with its unique design.
Citroen Xantia, one of the iconic models of the brand's history, had become a model famous for its comfort, safety and driving pleasure. As a follower of Citroen BX, it left its mark on the automobile world with the Hydractive II technology, an electronically controlled hydropneumatic suspension system that reduces oscillation and tilting and improves road holding without sacrificing comfort in the middle class sedan market. With the Activa version, which was introduced to the market in 1994, Citroen Xantia further developed its technology with the new anti-roll and roll prevention system SC-CAR, which allows cornering completely horizontally. This magnificent technology was also a factor in attracting the unforgettable advertising idea to the famous advertiser Jacques Séguéla, together with record-breaking athlete Carl Lewis.
First introduced to the world at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1993, Citroën Xantia celebrates its 2023th anniversary as of 30 and becomes a collector's car. The Xantia, which was produced in 1993 units at the Rennes-la-Janais Factory from 2010 to 1.326.259, stands out as one of the iconic models of the Citroën brand. The model, which was completed by Daniel Abramson at the Citroën Design Center based on the proposal of the Italian design center Bertone, was on the road as a follower of the famous BX model of the 80s. As a dynamic, flowing and powerfully designed sedan, it offered a completely new silhouette in the Citroën product range, with lines inspired by the XM in the next segment. With its unique design, Xantia was selected as the Best Car of the Year in 1993, when it was introduced to the market.
9 Years of Innovation for Comfort
Xantia has gone through many evolutions during its 9-year production life. Initially, 3 trim levels were offered, SX and VSX, with 2 different engine options. The top versions were equipped with the hydropneumatic Hydractive II, an electronically controlled suspension system that allows to improve road holding by reducing oscillation and roll without sacrificing comfort. In 1994, the Activa version including the Hydractive II system was introduced to the market. The new version had two additional cylinders, which increased the number of spheres to 10. The system prevented the tilting tendency from exceeding 0,5 degrees. With this equipment, the Xantia was able to corner in a horizontal way. In addition, this technology enabled the development of special tires with Michelin. In 1995, the stationary Xantia Break was introduced to the market. Xantia was facelifted in 1997. In addition, in 1998, Xantia hit the road with the PSA Group's high-pressure common rail diesel engine 2.0 HDi.
The keywords that defined the Citroën Xantia, which first hit the roads in 1993, were comfort, safety, technology and driving pleasure. With the quilted upholstery that became the signature of Xantia and the models that followed it, it zammoments offered unparalleled comfort. In the interior, there was a real harmony between colors and materials. In addition, the doors were equipped with thick plates and support beams for a safer cabin.
Absolute Comfort: Hydractive II
Hydravtive II, which showed the difference of Xantia in terms of technology, combined the power of hydraulics with the speed of electronics. The conventional hydropneumatic suspension is equipped with an additional ball per axle. The system is activated via solenoid valves in normal circuit with one sphere per suspension cylinder. This allows the suspension to define two conditions of elasticity and damping. In this way, it can be flexible and sporty. The sensors allow the computer to choose between two modes based on the driving situation. In both cases, this technology can enable the driver and passengers to travel in great comfort and calmly.
Inspiration for Advertisers
Xantia, which has important innovations and qualities, also revealed ideal ideas for Citroën advertising. One of these was the famous 1995 advertisement starring Carl Lewis, about an athlete forced to become a monk due to a bet. Allegedly, it was impossible for a car to corner horizontally. But with Xantia it was possible.