Performance Review: Citroen AX GT 1.4 - [1987]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Citroen AX Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Citroen AX GT 1.4 is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1987. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1987 Porsche 959 Turbo and the 1987 Ferrari F40 2.9 V8.This particular Citroen AX has a 1360cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The AX shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the AX's Front Wheel Drive, Hatchback combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 722 kgs (1591 lbs) this makes the Citroen AX GT 1.4 in the same weight category as the 2007 KTM X-Bow 2.0 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Citroen AX shares the same bhp with the 2013 Caterham 7 160/165 0.7L Turbo (79 bhp)

In terms of power the 1360cc 8V St4 engine produces 85 bhp (63 kW) @ 6400 rpm similar to the 2013 Caterham 7 160/165 0.7L Turbo (79 bhp) or the 2012 Lexus CT 200h 1.8L (98 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 86 lb-ft (116.6 Nm) @ 4000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2013 Caterham 7 160/165 0.7L Turbo (79 lb-ft) or the 2012 Lexus CT 200h 1.8L (105 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Citroen AX you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2007 Volvo S40 T5 2.5 Turbo AWD (142.7 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Citroen AX.

The Citroen AX has a Power to weight ratio of 117.7 bhp per ton and 119.1 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1987 AX competing with the 2007 Volvo S40 T5 2.5 Turbo AWD (142.7 bhp per ton) or the 2002 Ford Mondeo ST220 (142.5 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Citroen AX generating around 119.1 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1968 Alpine A110 1300 (144.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 2017 Dodge Challenger GT 3.6 V6 AWD (143.8 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 9.20 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 9.5 secs, this made the Citroen AX GT 1.4 as fast as the 2007 Toyota Yaris 1.8L TS (9.20 secs) the 1985 Pontiac Firebird 5.0L Trans Am (9.20 secs) the 1982 Ford Granada 2.8i V6 (9.20 secs) the or the 1966 Ford Mustang GT Convertible 289 4.7 V8 (9.20 secs). This Citroen AX GT 1.4 is also faster than the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (9.30 secs) the 2000 Alfa-Romeo 166 2.0 ts (9.30 secs) the 1993 Vauxhall-Opel Corsa 1.6 GSi 16V (9.30 secs) the and the 1991 Peugeot 205 Rallye 1.3 8v (9.30 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the AX and the 1993 Mercedes E Class 400 W124

When talking about the performance of the Citroen AX on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 16.64 secs @ 82.2 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1993 Mercedes E Class 400 W124 (16.58 secs), the 1966 Ford Mustang GT Convertible 289 4.7 V8 (16.59 secs), and the 1996 Alfa-Romeo GTV 3.0 V6 Lusso (16.60 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1987 version of the Citroen AX GT 1.4 has a maximum speed of 110mph.

Top Speed of the 1987 AX equals the 2017 Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCi ST-Line 120 (121 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1987 Citroen AX GT 1.4 then how about the 2017 Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCi ST-Line 120 (121 mph), the 2007 Toyota Yaris 1.8L TS (121 mph), or the 2004 Land-Rover Discovery 3 4.4 V8 (121 mph).

Related Links:

1987 AX Rivals List.

A Brief History of Citroen

Car Comparison