A New French Evolution
The Age
Saturday December 26, 1998
When we slipped behind the wheel of the Citroen Xantia Executive we had just stepped out of a Volkswagen Golf with a first-class interior; the redesigned Xantia's new thicker, rounded dashboard, complete with mock-wood trim, seemed a little downmarket in comparison.
For a start, there are no push-button heater controls; typical of French simplicity, the old lever action is still used, although air-conditioning is push-button with automatic temperature-control adjusted via lever.
While Citroens always have had a certain weirdness, our first impression of the Xantia wasn't exactly love at first drive. Its hydraulic suspension causes the car to unceremoniously lift its tail suddenly when you stop at the lights, and the brake pedal feels almost lifeless.
Sure, with its new, wider brake-pad surface front and rear, you can stop the Xantia on a hopscotch square, but if you aren't careful, it will also launch you into outer space.
In fact on the test car, the power-operated driver's seat had worked slightly loose and we came to the conclusion it might have been dislodged by the G-force on the driver caused by frequent sharp braking.
But for all of that, after a week behind the wheel of the mid-size Xantia, we grew quite fond of it. It's a fun car to drive, with responsive, nicely weighted steering, smooth acceleration, and a blend of space, luxury, practicality and innovation.
The Xantia has been in Australia since 1994 in two-litre form. But the V6 24-valve powerpack version, which comes with 15-inch wheels and a wider track, was launched in Australia in March.
The car is out of the same French stable as Peugeot, and as a result, the V6 engine, drivetrain and platform are the same as the 406, although the floorplan, and, of course, that unique suspension, is different.
While Xantia accounts for only about 200 sales a year in Australia so far, according to Citroen, there has been renewed interest in the car, particularly since the arrival of the V6 and the release of the smaller Xsara.
However, the Xantia, like the Xsara, has been a victim of the weak Australian dollar, pushing the price of the Executive up to $59,000.
The suspension on the Xantia, which makes this car so different, works by way of hydraulically operated pistons. The car doesn't sit on the road, it sits in the road, with a claw-like grip.
Slip the foot into that silk-smooth V6 with the gearbox switched to sports mode and while it doesn't exude the same excitement as, say, an Alfa GTV V6 - which is a pure sports machine - it does move off swiftly and show some sporting talent. There's no wheel spin, not even a hint of torque-steer.
But the all-electronic four-speed transmission can be annoying. Slide to a stop at the lights and it changes down automatically. Combine this with sticky brakes and you come to a somewhat jerky stop.
The Hydractive 2 suspension works exceptionally well at fast speed and on tight corners, but hit a bump at slow city speed and it thumps a bit. There's also quite a bit of road noise.
The 24-valve V6 puts out a respectable 140kW at 5500 revs and maximum torque of 267Nm at 4000rpm. Citroen claims the car will sprint to 100kmh in 8.2 seconds.
The interior, while not as impressive as its VW counterpart, does have nice touches. There are two interior lights, one on each centre pillar, plus four map-reading lights, one above each seat, even a plastic clip on the windscreen to hold carpark tickets.
The Xantia Executive also comes with leather seats and rain-sensor front windscreen wipers. Driver vision is good, and the passenger side rear-vision mirror dips down on engaging reverse, but that's more of a hindrance than a help.
And, as we have said before, you just about need binoculars to see the tiny buttons on the locally installed Sony radio. A Citroen spokesman says it's the only radio in Australia that can be used in conjunction with steering wheel controls, which, fortunately, this car has.
For a car in Xantia's price bracket, you expect a better radio and at least a single-deck CD player.
For security, the Xantia is fitted with a transponder-controlled electronic anti-theft system and two-button high frequency remote control that uses a rolling code. But it is puzzling that there is no little red warning light to ward off thieves.
From a safety point of view, the car is well equipped and now has driver and passenger front airbags as well as ABS braking as standard.
Xantia is fun to drive, but at nearly $60,000 you will need to weigh up the fun factor against value factor of other cars in its class.
Airbags - yes, driver/pass
Anti-lock brakes - yes
Cruise control -yes
Air conditioning - yes
Central locking - yes
Power mirrors/windows - yes
Security - yes, immobiliser
Sound system - AM/FM radio cassette, 6 speakers
Cup holders - yes, 2
NUTS 'N' BOLTS
CITROEN XANTIA V6 EXCLUSIVE
HOW MUCH? $59,000
INSURANCE Premium $696.75, $400 excess (NRMA, wholly-owned, 30-plus, rating one, medium-risk suburb)
WARRANTY 2 years/unlimited mileage
ENGINE 2946, V6 DOHC 24valve. 140kW at 5500rpm and 267Nm at 4000rpm
TRANSMISSION Four-speed automatic
STEERING Rack and pinion, power-assisted 3.17 turns lock-to-lock. Turning circle 11m
BRAKES Ventilated discs front, discs rear
SUSPENSION Front: independent MacPherson struts, lower triangle; Rear: independent, trailing arms, rear-wheel passive steer. Front and rear anti-roll bars.
WHEELS/TYRES alloy, 205/60R15
HOW BIG? Length 4524mm, width 1755mm, height 1400mm, wheelbase 2740mm
HOW HEAVY? 1496kg
HOW THIRSTY? 11.5/100km average, unleaded. Fuel tank 65 litres
HOW IT RATES For: On-road dynamics, comfort; Against: Sticky breaks, cheap radio
SCORE(out of 5)
VW Passat 2.8 V6 ****
Peugeot 3.0 SV ****
Honda Accord V6-L
5 Dream wheels 4 Better than average 3 On the ball 2 Just transport 1 Very ordinary
MORE DRIVE INSIDE
© 1998 The Age