Citroen Ksara debuted at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1997. The car with an extravagant silhouette was offered in a five-door version, after the success of which three more body options began to be produced: a four-door sedan, a three-door hatchback and a one-volume station wagon.
Interior
The layout of the Citroen Ksara is designed for five seats. In its class, the Xsara has the most spacious interior, so that even in the three-door version of the body, passengers can comfortably accommodate in the back seat.
The dashboard is made in a concise and classic design. In the central part there are a speedometer and a tachometer, on the left and right side there are sensors for the temperature of the coolant and fuel level. A little lower than the speedometer is a liquid crystal display, which displays the odometer and distance traveled. The shift paddles are responsible for controlling the wipers and the lights. The controls for heating, ventilation and the audio system are located on the central panel.
A wide range of settings for the position of the front seats allows you to comfortably accommodate the driver and passenger.
Basic equipment
The basic version of the Citroen Ksara is equipped with driver airbags, front power windows and an alarm system.
Specifications
The Citroen Ksara line of powertrains is represented by gasoline-powered engines with a volume of 1.4 to 2 liters and a capacity of 75 to 93 horsepower and a 1.9-liter diesel engine and power from 68 to 90 horsepower. Transmission - four-speed automatic and manual transmission. The front suspension of the Citroen Ksara 2.0 is the classic McPherson, the rear axle is on the torsion bars, trailing arms and shock absorbers with a horizontal arrangement, which significantly expands the free space of the luggage compartment.
Restyling models
In 1998, a five-door station wagon version was launched with the largest luggage capacity: when the rear row seats are dismantled, it can be increased to 1.51 m 3 .
The next restyling was made in 2000, which increased the interest of buyers in this model. Many car owners considered the exterior of the Citroen Xara hdi unpretentious, however, the updated model changed the opinion of experts: Citroen confirmed its status as one of the most original car manufacturers.
Exterior changes
Restyling touched the front of the Citroen Ksara 2.0 hdi: the car received new optics with a modified geometry, a bumper with built-in fog lights and a radiator grille with a decorative chrome strip. A chrome trim also appeared in the rear.
The interior began to use aluminum and modern materials. The advantage of the Citroen Xar is ergonomics and practicality. Inside, a large number of pockets for storing things and small things.
On the central panel are controls for power windows, heated windshield and heated seats. Illuminated mirrors integrated in the visor are available for both the driver and the front passenger.
Technical plan changes
During the restyling of the Citroen Ksara, the front and rear tracks of the car were increased and new 15-inch wheels were installed.
Manageability and excellent dynamics of the car were provided by a 1.6-liter gasoline engine with a capacity of 106 horsepower.
In 2001, a new version of the engine was added - an HDI diesel power unit with good parameters - 110 horsepower and 2 liters of volume - and a Common Rail system responsible for fuel injection.
The brake system is quite effective and informative, it is represented by disc brakes, and the front ones are ventilated. The suspension is moderately energy-intensive and stiff, provides confident driving on any highway.
Citroen Xsara Picasso
Almost simultaneously with the standard Citroen Xsara, another model was produced - the Citroen Xara Picasso. Sales of the compact van started in 1999. Two trim levels were offered: LX and SX with two 1.6 and 1.8 liter petrol units and a two-liter HDI engine.
In the British market, “Ksara Picasso” in the final configuration appeared only at the end of 2000. The boot volume of the car increased due to the dismantling of the rear seats, making the compact van one of the best-selling cars in France, Great Britain and other European countries.
The assembly of the Xsara Picasso was carried out in the Spanish city of Vigo at the PSA factory, and since 2001 in Brazil especially for Latin American markets.
Xsara Picasso began to be equipped with a two-liter V16 engine, paired with a four-speed automatic transmission, since 2003. Restyling 2004 changed the front of the body.
The successor to the Citroen Xsara Picasso was the 2006 Citroen C4 Picasso, designed on the same platform as the Citroen C4. However, the production of Xsara Picasso was continued: over the next few years, the five-seater C4 Picasso and the seven-seater Grand C4 Picasso were released.
Despite the fact that since 2010 the Citroen Ksara Picasso has not been sold in England and Europe, it can be found in Belgium and other countries. The main reason for the discontinuation of the Xsara Picasso was the car's non-compliance with the new environmental standards, which entered into force in January 2011. However, the French company said that the assembly of the Citroen Xsara Picasso will continue in Egypt and Brazil until an official notice and a ban on the production of the car are received.
Citroen Xsara and Citroen Xsara Picasso are excellent family cars with good dynamics, thoughtful interior and original appearance, enjoying considerable popularity years after the date of termination of production.