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Citroen Saxo (Phase I, 1996) 3-door 12 kWh (27 Hp)
Overall Rating
Citroen Saxo:
The Citroën Saxo is a supermini car which was produced by the French manufacturer Citroën from 1996 to 2003. It was sold in Japan as the Citroën Chanson, because Honda had registered the "Saxo" name. The Saxo was a development of the Citroën AX and Peugeot 106, which shared a platform and running gear. It was discontinued in 2003, when it was replaced with the Citroën C2 and Citroën C3 which launched a year earlier. Both models were developed alongside the Peugeot 206....(Read more on Wikipedia)
(Phase I, 1996) 3-door Overview:
Citroen Saxo ((Phase I, 1996) 3-door). Weighing only 1020 kg, it’s quite light. Front‑wheel drive delivers efficiency and easy handling. The top speed reaches 91 km/h. A compact car with a rear door that swings upward to provide access to the cargo area. Seating for 4 makes it ideal for daily use.
12 kWh (27 Hp) Verdict:
Performance Verdict
As an early electric vehicle, performance is extremely limited, suitable only for very short urban trips at low speeds.
Fuel Economy
Zero tailpipe emissions and low running costs, but range and charging infrastructure were significant limitations at the time.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- • Compact and agile, excellent for city driving
- • Affordable to buy and maintain (especially manual petrol/diesel variants)
- • Good fuel economy on manual petrol and diesel engines
- • VTS model offers thrilling hot hatch performance
- • Simple, robust mechanicals
Cons:
- • Poor Euro NCAP safety rating (2 stars)
- • Basic interior quality and limited features
- • Noisy at higher speeds, especially on highways
- • Automatic transmissions are sluggish and inefficient
- • Limited rear passenger space and small boot (though expandable)
Specifications:
Specifications are compared to those of the previous generation((Phase I, 1996) 5-door: 1996 - 1999).
| General: | |
|---|---|
| Brand: | Citroen |
| Model: | Saxo |
| Generation: | (Phase I, 1996) 3-door |
| Modification (Engine): | 12 kWh (27 Hp) |
| Start of production: | 1997 |
| End of production: | 1999 |
| Powertrain Architecture: | BEV (Electric Vehicle) |
| Body type: | Hatchback |
| Seats: | 4 |
| Doors: | 3 |
| Performance: | |
|---|---|
| Fuel Type: | Electricity |
| Maximum speed: | 91 km/h |
| Weight-to-power ratio: | 37.8 kg/Hp, 26.5 Hp/tonne |
| Weight-to-torque ratio: | 8 kg/Nm, 124.5 Nm/tonne |
| Space: | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight: | 1020 |
| Max. weight: | 1395 |
| Max load: | 375 |
| Trunk (boot) space - maximum: | 830 l |
| Trunk (boot) space - minimum: | 187 l |
| Size: | |
|---|---|
| Length: | 3718 mm mm [Same length.] |
| Width: | 1595 mm mm [Same width.] |
| Height: | 1390 mm mm [Same height.] |
| Wheelbase: | 2385 mm mm [Same wheelbase.] |
| Front track: | 1336 mm |
| Rear (Back) track: | 1390 mm |
| Front overhang: | 748 mm |
| Rear overhang: | 585 mm |
| Minimum turning circle (turning diameter): | 11.6 m [above average] |
| Powertrain: | |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain Architecture | One electric motor drives the front wheels. |
| Drive wheel | Front wheel drive |
| Number of gears | 1 |
| Transmission type | Automatic |
| Front brakes | Disc [bad for performance and cooling.] |
| Rear brakes | Drum [bad for performance and cooling.] |
| Steering type | Steering rack and pinion |
| Power steering | Electric Steering |
| Tires size | 165/70 R13 |
| Front suspension | Independent type McPherson |
| Rear suspension | Torsion |
| Electric: | |
|---|---|
| Gross battery capacity: | 12 kWh |
| Battery location: | Under the rear seats |
| System power: | 27 Hp @ 1600-5500 rpm. |
| System torque: | 127 Nm @ 0-1600 rpm. |
| All-electric range: | 75 km |
| Electric motor power: | 27 Hp @ 1600-5500 rpm. |
| Electric motor Torque: | 127 Nm @ 0-1600 rpm. |
| Electric motor location: | Front axle, Transverse |
| Battery weight: | 274 kg |
| Battery voltage: | 120 V |
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