CITROËN
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CITROËN
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 Avoiding
accidents |
In compliance with the marque's traditions, the running gear is designed to provide the Xsara with high performance control, grip and power as well as ensuring the comfort of the vehicle's occupants through the design of the suspension and the attention giving to the damping of axle assemblies.
The result is a coherent, homogenous assembly, tailored to the different powerplants and performing well in all circumstances. The Xsara is immediately identifiable as a car that is easy to drive, efficient and safe.
The
running gear for the Citroën Xsara is a design that is
unanimously acknowledged as a reference in roadholding behaviour and
comfort.
The Xsara is equipped with the marque's
self-steering rear
axle,
The running gear offers a high performance damping system, with a decoupled anti-roll bar at the front for increased efficiency and steering precision as well as power steering. Xsara is fitted with vented disc brakes at the front and drum brakes at the back for the 1.8 automatic, the 1.8 manual and 2.0L cars are fitted with disc brakes at the rear. Four sensor ABS is standard on the 2.0L Xsara and a factory fitted option on the 1.8L cars.
The rear doors of the Xsara are equipped with tell-tale child locks, which are visible from the front seats. These locks are red if the safety system is not activated.
Particular attention was given to night
visibility. All Xsara models are equipped with an electric function to
adjust headlamp elevation. A protective strip running the length of
each front pillar prevents water from running down the side windows
and also reduces wind noise.
Side
vision is thereby optimised, even in rainy weather.
The button controlling the hazard warning lights is red so that it can be found rapidly in the event of an emergency.
All Citroën Xsara models are equipped with
timed indicator to warn that doors are open.
This
function is active even with the ignition off.
To enhance safety still further, the interior rearview mirror is fitted with a double ball joint for perfect adjustment.
| Protection
in the event of an accident |
The vehicle structure was the focus of particular attention throughout the development process. The use of high-yield steel, notably in the doors and substructure, brings a considerable increase in stiffness without making the vehicle heavier.
A cross-member running across the roof and resting on the middle pillars reinforce the structure. This encloses the passenger compartment in a protective hoop.
The hoop protects the vehicle in the event of side impact or rollover. Like the Xantia, the Xsara is fitted with an energy-absorbing side-impact protection system in the front door panels, a feature that completes vehicle protection. In the event of side impact, the middle pillar and roof cross-member (protective hoop) absorbs much of the energy. The remaining energy is transmitted gently by the absorbers to the pelvis, this being the most resistant part of the human body.
The
Citroën Xsara is equipped with driver's airbag of 45 litres on
all models and the 2.0L car is also fitted with a 90 litre passenger
airbag. The passenger airbag is optional on the 1.8L Xsara.
Side impact protection can be enhanced by optional 15 litre side airbags integrated with the seats, which operate independently. Sensors in the side members control activation. In this configuration, the Xsara has an indicator to show when seatbelts are not attached.
The front and rear seatbelts are height adjustable on both the 5 door Xsara and the coupé. The front seatbelts are equipped with pyrotechnic pretensioners and grabbers. If the vehicle has front airbags, the inertia reels on the seatbelts are fitted with force limits to reduce the pressure on the thorax in the event of impact and to further enhance protection.
All Xsara models are equipped with height and tilt adjustable front head rests.
The Citroën Xsara is also a pacesetter in terms of protection against luggage thrown forwards when the vehicle is hit from the back. The bolts and structure of the rear seat comply with the most stringent standards in the field.
The Xsara is also equipped with an inertia-controlled fuel cut off system and a fire safety function controlled by the engine computer. This limits the risks of fuel leakage in the event of an accident.
| Safety
Features |
| Security |
The Xsara is well protected against theft and
break-ins. All the models in the range are equipped with remote
central locking of the doors and
hatch.
A high frequency remote control unit is fitted on all models. With
this feature, the driver no longer has to aim at the receiver in order
to lock or unlock the vehicle. Moreover, the unit has two buttons, one
to lock and one to unlock. This prevents the driver from unlocking the
car accidentally and having to go back and check.
To prevent picking, the locks have two rows of cylinders. The number of possible combinations thereby increases from 2,000 to 100,000. To reduce the risk of a thief copying the key by stealing the fuel cap, the fuel cap lock has only one row of barrels. Moreover, the locks are freewheeling and the rods secure against picking. Removing the lights and number plate cannot access the boot lock.
The fuel cap opens with the ignition key. This makes it necessary to remove the ignition key and so prevents the vehicle from being stolen.
All Xsara models are equipped with a transponder as standard. A microchip in the key initiates a dialogue with the engine computer, which checks the code. If the code is wrong then the engine will not start, even if they key is the correct shape.
It is impossible for the driver to forget the key in the ignition, since a timed alarm is activated as soon as the door is opened.
A third "garage" key makes it possible to lend the vehicle while preventing access to the boot and glovebox. This key, which is of a different colour, can be given to the person servicing the vehicle.
| Anti-Theft
Features |
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The
Citroën Xsara:
