Performance Review: Citroen Saxo 1.6i VTR - [1997]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Citroen Saxo Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Citroen Saxo 1.6i VTR is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1997. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1997 TVR Speed 12 7.7L V12 and the 1997 McLaren F1 GT 6.1 V12.This particular Citroen Saxo has a 1587cc 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 Saxo 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 Saxo'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 920 kgs (2028 lbs) this makes the Citroen Saxo 1.6i VTR in the same weight category as the 2020 Lotus Elise Sport 220 1.8 Supercharged or the give or take 50kg.

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

In terms of power the 1587cc 8V St4 engine produces 90 bhp (67 kW) @ 5700 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 100 lb-ft (135.5 Nm) @ 3500 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 Mini Cooper Paceman (118 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

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

The 1964 Mercedes 600 W-100 (122.8 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Citroen Saxo.

The Citroen Saxo has a Power to weight ratio of 97.8 bhp per ton and 108.6 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1997 Saxo competing with the 1964 Mercedes 600 W-100 (122.8 bhp per ton) or the 2007 Fiat Bravo 1.9 Sport Multijet (122.7 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 Saxo generating around 108.6 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 1989 Toyota Celica GT Four ST185 (133.5 lb-ft per ton) or the 1972 Lamborghini Urraco 2.5L V8 P250 (133.3 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 9.90 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 10.2 secs, this made the Citroen Saxo 1.6i VTR as fast as the 2001 Citroen C5 2.2 HDi 16v (9.90 secs) the 1980 Nissan Skyline Hardtop 2000 Turbo GT-E (9.90 secs) the 1979 Dodge Magnum GT 5.9L V8 (9.90 secs) the or the 1968 Ford Escort 1.6 Twin Cam (9.90 secs). This Citroen Saxo 1.6i VTR is also faster than the 1980 Renault 18 1.6 Turbo (10.00 secs) the 1976 Triumph 2500 TC (10.00 secs) the 1966 Pontiac Tempest Le Mans Sprint (10.00 secs) the and the 1950 Ferrari 195 Inter (10.00 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Saxo and the 2012 Subaru BRZ 2L

When talking about the performance of the Citroen Saxo on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 17.58 secs @ 77.8 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2012 Subaru BRZ 2L (17.50 secs), the 1991 Chevrolet Camaro 5.7 V8 Z28 (17.51 secs), and the 1995 BMW 7 Series 750i E38 Auto (17.51 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1997 version of the Citroen Saxo 1.6i VTR has a maximum speed of 116mph.

Top Speed of the 1997 Saxo equals the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (127 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1997 Citroen Saxo 1.6i VTR then how about the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (127 mph), the 2011 Abarth 500C 1.4 Turbo (127 mph), or the 2011 Lotus Elise Club Racer (127 mph).

Related Links:

1997 Saxo Rivals List.

A Brief History of Citroen

Car Comparison