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

Figures & Specs Summary:

Citroen Saxo Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Citroen Saxo 1.6i VTS 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 935 kgs (2061 lbs) this makes the Citroen Saxo 1.6i VTS 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 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp)

In terms of power the 1587cc 16V St4 engine produces 109 bhp (81 kW) @ 0 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp) or the 2017 Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCi ST-Line 120 (118 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 107 lb-ft (145.0 Nm) @ 0 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2012 Lexus CT 200h 1.8L (105 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 2002 Ford Focus ST 170 (141.5 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Citroen Saxo.

The Citroen Saxo has a Power to weight ratio of 116.5 bhp per ton and 114.4 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1997 Saxo competing with the 2002 Ford Focus ST 170 (141.5 bhp per ton) or the 1984 Chevrolet Corvette C4 350 (141.5 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 Saxo generating around 114.4 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 2007 Volkswagen-VW Touareg 4.2 V8 FSI (139.3 lb-ft per ton) or the 1963 Ford Cortina MkI Lotus Type 28 (139.3 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.50 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.7 secs, this made the Citroen Saxo 1.6i VTS as fast as the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (7.50 secs) the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.0 EcoBlue Wagon (7.50 secs) the 2017 Subaru Forester 2.0 XT Premium (7.50 secs) the or the 2017 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD Variant 2.0 TDi DSG (7.50 secs). This Citroen Saxo 1.6i VTS is also faster than the 2013 BMW i3 0.6l Hybrid (7.60 secs) the 2011 Abarth 500C 1.4 Turbo (7.60 secs) the 2011 Fiat Punto Evo Abarth 1.4 Turbo (7.60 secs) the and the 2010 Peugeot 308 1.6 GTi (7.60 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Saxo and the 2009 Volkswagen-VW Golf 2.0T GTi 16V

When talking about the performance of the Citroen Saxo on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 16.57 secs @ 82.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2009 Volkswagen-VW Golf 2.0T GTi 16V (16.50 secs), the 1999 Alfa-Romeo 166 3.2 V6 04-05 (16.50 secs), and the 2005 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport 4.2 V8 Supercharged (16.51 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1997 version of the Citroen Saxo 1.6i VTS has a maximum speed of 127mph.

Top Speed of the 1997 Saxo equals the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (138 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 VTS then how about the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (138 mph), the 2008 Audi A3 2.0tdi Quattro S-Line (138 mph), or the 2004 Renault Clio 2.0 16V Renaultsport Trophy 182 (138 mph).

Related Links:

1997 Saxo Rivals List.

A Brief History of Citroen

Car Comparison