XSARA COUPE PROVIDES CITROËN WITH A NEW PERFORMANCE EDGE

The arrival of the Citroën Xsara Coupe provides Australian car buyers with a new level of European style and, in the shape of the Coupe VTS, performance from a car maker that has produced some of the most acclaimed small performance cars in Europe.

“When it comes to performance cars in Europe, size is everything,” says Miles Williams, General Manager for Citroën in Australia. “But unlike Australia, its not big, its small performance cars that rule roost with ‘pocket rockets’ and ‘hot hatches’ being the most sort after performance cars. And amongst this intense competition, Citroën has stood out as a producer of some of the most acclaimed performance cars. Now it is, with the Citroën Xsara Coupe, Australia’s opportunity to find out how Citroën has earnt its performance laurels.”

As a basis for a performance car, the Xsara Coupe could not be a better choice. Unlike its competitors, where all that separates a three door from a five door is two less doors, Citroën has provided the Xsara Coupe with looks that truly justify its name. Added to this is the already benchmark chassis with its magic car ride allied to envied levels of steering response, road holding and handling. To this already potent mix Citroën has added a 124 kW 2.0 litre 16 valve engine matched to a close ratio gearbox to provide neck snapping performance.

Fitted with this engine the new Citroën Xsara slices to 100 kmh in just 8.7 seconds and goes on to score a top speed of 220 kmh where the law permits. With the ability to cover the acceleration sector from 80 to 120 kmh in fifth gear in just 9.1 seconds, the new high performance 2.0 litre engine is also extremely flexible.

Citroën is not, however, limiting the style of its new Coupe to the upper reaches of the market. The Citroën Xsara will also be available with Citroën’s new 1.6 litre 16 valve engine which, with an above class average 83 kW, also offers strong performance and the ability to be matched to Citroën’s new automatic gearbox as well as the standard five speed manual. With this engine, the Xsara Coupe has a top speed of 197 kmh and it sprints to 100 kmh in 10.9 seconds.

As with all Xsaras, the Coupes are well equipped.

Both versions are fitted twin front air bags, climate control air conditioning, variable assistance power steering, central locking with remote control and remote boot opening, power front windows with one touch on the driver’s side, a CD audio system with six speakers, interior adjustable door mirrors, colour matched mirrors, bumpers and door handles and split fold rear seat. The top of the line Xsara Coupe VTS adds ABS brakes with Electronic Brake Force Distribution, alloy wheels with low profile tyres, sports suspension, automatic windscreen wipers with a rain sensor, twin remote electrically controlled door mirrors with demist, rear power windows, rear armrest, exterior temperature gauge, velour and Alcantara upholstery, carbon fibre dashboard trim and a boot floor net.

With this small, but broad based Coupe range, Citroën is looking to target two groups of buyers in Australia with the Citroën Xsara Coupe.

Both versions of the Xsara Coupe prove that it is possible to have a three door car that is much more than a five door with two fewer doors. The Coupe is infused with a level of style that enables it to truly live up to the name Coupe.

The Coupe VTS is unashamedly aimed at the driving enthusiast, one for whom every drive is far more than just a journey. The Xsara Coupe VTS owner is also someone who wants to feel special in their car even when it is stationary or when they look at it parked outside their home. It is a car that does not hide its style or performance aspirations.

The Xsara Coupe VTR, with its 1.6 litre engine is for the owner who wants a more comfort and ease of use orientated car, but one that is no less stylish, well equipped, or, when called upon to do so, provides a high level of driving involvement that is responsive, quick-witted and comfortable.

“The arrival of the Citroën Xsara Coupe marks a significant move forward in the evolution of Citroën in Australia,” says Miles Williams. “Like the Berlingo before it, the Coupe takes Citroën’s Australian range into market sectors in which it has not previous competed and demonstrates clearly to the market place the breadth and depth of Citroën’s design and development skills. As such, the Coupe will not only directly increase Citroën sales in Australia, I am sure it will also have a halo affect on the Citroën range as a whole and boost our sales across the board.”

For further information please
e-Mail Miles Williams - General Manager on
100250.3324@compuserve.com

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