THE NEW CITRO�N XSARA AND XANTIA TURBO DIESELS

Compared to a similarly powered petrol car, the new Xsara 2.0 HDi hatchback returns 40% better fuel economy at 54.3 mpg. Xantia drivers can also look forward to similar benefits with the new engine boosting economy to over 50 mpg on the combined figure in government tests. Sound levels, especially on the move, are reduced dramatically and official tests, which measure external noise at 30 mph, prove that the new Xantia 2.0 HDi 90 HP is now the quietest Xantia of all. The reduced noise gives drivers increased driving enjoyment and a more refined driving experience.

Both Xsara and Xantia models will cruise at just 2,500 rpm at the motorway speed limit delivering significant fuel savings as well as providing a quiet and refined environment for drivers and passengers alike. The new engine boasts exceptional flexibility, with maximum torque, or pulling power, boosted to 155 lb-ft at just 1900 rpm - directly comparable to sporting cars in the same sector such as the Audi A3 1.8T Sport. With 90 per cent of maximum torque developed all the way from 1500 rpm right through to 4200 rpm, the new engine is so flexible that it is even possible to accelerate seamlessly from 25 mph to over 100 mph in fourth gear.

Emissions of carbon dioxide, the principal greenhouse gas, from the Xsara are down to just 141 g/km, some 21 per cent less than a petrol engined car with similar power output and even less than a typical petrol supermini such as a Citro�n Saxo. "We anticipate that our new 2.0 litre Common rail diesel engine will enjoy similar success to our old 1.9 TD which for so many years dominated the diesel class. The new HDi technology means that Xsara and Xantia customers can look forward to improvements in fuel economy, noise levels, refinement, emissions and performance - all at little or no extra cost," said Olivier Pittet, Managing Director of Citro�n UK Ltd.

"Technological advances such as our family of HDi engines are helping diesel to shed its dirty image of yesterday and we hope that this will begin to close the sales gap between the UK and mainland Europe where it accounts for 25 per cent of all new car sales," he added. Citro�n's new 2.0 litre 90 HP HDi engine is available in both hatchback and estate versions of the Xsara and Xantia models with prices starting at �13,580 for the Xsara X five door hatchback and �15,955 for the Xantia X saloon.

Modern diesel engines, such as Citro�n's new 90 HP 2.0 litre common rail turbo charged HDi, now featured in Citro�n Xsara and Xantia models, possess a number of advantages over petrol engines, not least that they are inherently more efficient and economical, thereby helping to preserve our planet's precious resources. Put a gallon of diesel in a Xsara or Xantia HDi and you can travel over 50 miles in normal motoring - a fuel cost of 6.1p per mile. Put a gallon of fuel in a similarly powered petrol car, and you won't make it to 40 miles whilst the fuel cost shoots up to 8.2p per mile. Diesel engines also generally produce less of three of the five main sensitive exhaust emissions - carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons - compared with a

Now, Citro�n, leaders in Common Rail technology, have brought all the advantages of the very latest diesel technology into the reach of mainstream buyers in the medium sector of the new car market with the launch of their new 90 HP HDi engine.

Petrol engines have been perfected over the last century whereas development of diesels has really only gathered pace in the last decade or so. But the modern diesel, equipped with advanced technology such as the HDi Common Rail engine is already a completely different beast to the old, smoky engines of yesteryear. And with technology such as the particulate filter just around the corner, the benefits of modem diesels are set to lay to rest the opinions based on the past.

The result of a completely new approach to diesel injection, utilising meticulously accurate computer controlled fuel injection, Citro�n's new HDi engine delivers significant improvements in fuel economy, carbon dioxide emissions and torque output whilst it is also much quieter and more refined than previous diesel units.

A lightweight, sophisticated pump pressurises the diesel fuel to 1350 bar - far higher than in conventional systems - and holds the diesel at this high pressure in a reservoir known as a Common Rail which is connected to the computer controlled 'intelligent' injectors. The injectors act as taps that can open and close in microseconds, giving the Common Rail system the ability to control the amount, timing and pressure of the fuel injection to a degree of accuracy that was never previously possible. This accurate control optimises the combustion process, generates maximum efficiency and significantly reduces noise.

This combustion efficiency has also enabled particulate emissions to be reduced so that the driver of a Xsara or Xantia HDi, or a following motorist, is unlikely to ever see any exhaust smoke. The computer control at the heart of the HDi technology will also pave the way for a forthcoming particulate filter that will effectively eliminate any remaining particulate emissions. With this, the company could be producing vehicles which would surpass the stringent Euro IV emissions standards, four years ahead of legislation.

The principle of a filter which can trap and hold the particulates is well established, however, until now, it has not been possible to produce a viable system for cars in which the filter can be effectively kept clean. This has now proved possible so that, once this system is adopted in future Citro�n models, the air coming out of the exhaust will be virtually as clear of particulates as the air going into the engine in the first place.

CITRO�N XSARA HDi RANGE
Citro�n's new 90 HP HDi 2.0 litre turbo diesel engine brings its fuel economy, emissions, performance and refinement improvements to four Xsara hatchback models and four Xsara estate models. The new models are direct replacements for their 1.9TD predecessors and offer all the benefits of the common rail diesel engine with just a modest �100 price increase.

All Xsara HDi's come with the comprehensive safety and security package which is now part of the standard specification of all Xsara models. This includes ABS brakes with discs on all wheels, four airbags, height adjustable front seat belts with force limiters and pre-tensioners, energy absorbing side impact protection, ring of steel body construction and a patented side impact door strengthener. Together with a passenger airbag which can be de-activated for extra safety when carrying a child in the front seat. Attention to child safety is illustrated further with visible child lock indicators built into the rear doors, the Citro�n Xsara now offers even more safety equipment than rivals such as the Ford Focus and Vauxhall Astra.

Citro�n Xsara 2.0 HDi X
With an on the road price of �13,580 for the hatchback and �14,330 for the estate, the Xsara X features a standard specification including power assisted steering, a transponder immobiliser, digital maintenance indicator, rake and reach adjustable steering wheel, remote central locking with deadlocks and steering wheel mounted controls for the four speaker RDS stereo radio cassette.

Although the entry model, the high value Xsara X features all of the careful design touches which combine to make the Xsara an easy car to live with. For instance, three position opening doors help reduce the likelihood of bumps in tight parking spots; the rear parcel shelf stores conveniently against the back of the rear seats; gas struts support the bonnet; the rear-view mirror also adjusts for height; three piece mouldings for the front and rear bumpers reduce the repair costs of small bumps and a large 'pull-down' handle in the tailgate helps to keep hands clean. Further attention to detail is shown by the inclusion of twin trip counters and deep lidded door bins.

The Xsara Estate, with its flat, usable boot space, increases load volume from 408 litres beneath the parcel shelf for the saloon to 517 litres - one of the largest in its class - together with a payload of 520kg. With the rear seats folded, the Xsara Estate boasts a massive 1512 litres of carrying capacity and with its high torque pedigree, the 90 HP HDi engine is an ideal complement to the Xsara Estate, making light work of heavy, awkward loads.

Citro�n Xsara 2.0 HDi LX
Priced on the road at �14290 and �15040 for the hatchback and estate respectively, the Xsara LX models add electric front windows, electrically operated passenger door mirror, electric sunroof and front fog lights whilst increased driver information includes a rev counter and digital clock with calendar.

Citro�n Xsara 2.0 HDi SX
Also available in both five door hatchback and estate bodystyles, the Xsara SX is priced at �14650 and �15400. Over the LX models, standard specification includes air conditioning with automatic temperature control, driver's seat height adjustment, 60/40 split fold rear seat with head restraints, tilt adjustable front seat head restraints, front seat back pockets and velour upholstery.

Citro�n Xsara 2.0 HDi Exclusive
Top of the Xsara HDi range are the Exclusive hatchback and estate models which cost �15760 and �16510 on the road respectively. The interior is further enhanced by a six CD auto changer, driver's seat lumbar adjustment, electric rear windows, upgraded velour upholstery and an exterior temperature display. The Exclusive package is completed by alloy wheels, automatic rain sensitive windscreen wipers, alarm, body colour door handles and electrically operated and heated door mirrors.

CITRO�N XANTIA HDi RANGE
Citro�n's leading common rail diesel engines, which were first seen in 110hp versions of the Xantia, are now available in five new 90 HP additions to the family, putting this latest state of the art technology firmly within the reach of the family car buyer, with prices starting at just �15,955.

This advanced 90 HP HDi system is featured in three hatchback and two estate models, bringing uprecedented blend of diesel economy, refinement, performance and drivability to this fiercely fought market sector. In keeping with the 90 HP HDi Xsara range, these models are a direct replacement for the manual gearbox Xantia 1.9TD models, whilst service costs are reduced with the interval increased to 12,500 miles. Available in X, LX and SX trim levels, the three hatchback models and two LX and SX specification estate models boast class leading safety and security.

The range boasts two firsts' for the class - four airbags on all models, including head and chest side airbags and the ability to de-activate the passenger airbag, as well as the latest factory fitted Trafficmaster Oracle system. Each Xantia 90 HP HDi also features a standard specification of ABS brakes, with discs on all wheels, energy absorbing side impact protection system, force limiting front seat belts with pre-tensioners, remote central locking, key-in-lock warning buzzer and a key mounted transponder immcbiliser.

Around the vehicle, neat touches help make owning and living with the Xantia easy. Inside every model is a digital maintenance indicator which counts down the mileage to the next service interval, a twin trip counter for recording business and private mileage, plus a separate socket for a mobile phone together with two position door armrests that conceal large storage areas.

Xantia's self levelling suspension system ensures that the vehicle remains at a constant height regardless of the load to provide the driver and occupants with a smooth, refined and relaxed ride. Those taking advantage of the Xantias suspension system for towing purposes will also enjoy the delivery of torque, from the 90HP HDi, engine across a wide range with a massive 155 lb ft at just 1900 rpm. At the same time the towing limit on all Xantias has been increased. The automatic models, which continue with the 1.9TD engine in LX and SX versions, benefit from an increased towing limit of 1200 kgs, whilst all other models can now pull up to 1500kgs.

Citro�n Xantia 2.0 HDi X
This high specification entry level Xantia 2.0 HDi X hatchback model features, in addition to the comprehensive safety and security package of all Xantias, an electric slide and tilt sunroof, electric front windows and an all in one body colour finish. And with an on the road price of �15,955, it provides fleet managers the choice of a well specified model at a competitive price. Even this entry model features steering wheel mounted stereo radio controls for the six speaker RIDS stereo radio cassette, height and tilt adjustable rearview mirror, date and temperature display, clutch footrest, three piece bumper protection and progressive illumination and dimming of courtesy lights.

Citro�n Xantia 2.0 HDi LX
Available in hatchback and estate bodystyles, the 90 HP Xantia HDi LX is priced at �16670 and �17640 respectively and features extra equipment over and above the X model, with the latest, factory fitted, Trafficmaster Oracle system which advises the driver of traffic conjestion in 'real' time. Additional equipment includes automatic temperature controlled air conditioning, alarm and deadlocks and driver's seat height adjustment.

Citro�n Xantia 2.0 HDi SX
The high specification Xantia HDi SX hatchback and estate models feature automatic rain sensitive windscreen wipers, electrically heated twin door mirrors, electric rear windows, six CD autochanger and velour/alcantara upholstery and are priced at �17675 and �18645 respectively (all UK prices).

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