Rally Competition
During the early years of the
VTS many Saxo competitions in France attracted young drivers. One young driver in particular took to the Saxo.
The then young Sebastien Loeb won two races in the Saxo Kit Car Cup during 1998. He went on to win the 1999 series but also won three rounds of the World Rally in a Saxo Kit Car.
In 2001 the FIA launched the “Super 16” rally competition as a development path for World Rally drivers. “Super 16” cars can be modified to produce up to 230hp but without changes to the engine block or cylinder head and has attracted the hottest hot hatches.
During its inaugural year Sebastien Loeb won 5 of the 6 races in his Saxo VTS. In 2002, the “Super 16” became the Junior World Rally Championship (JWRC) and Daniel Sola won the series in his Saxo VTS.
The Saxo VTS was best on tarmac and a special competition was created for gravel – the “Saxo T4”. Citroen developed a special Saxo featuring four wheel drive solely for this competition but this model was never released into production. See here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2y_ZGoTXCk
The Saxo
The Saxo
VTS, and
VTR, range were launched by Citroen in July 1996 to accompany the VTL model of 1.6 litre Saxos.
The
VTS was a 3 door model launched with a new TU5J4 16 valve engine delivering 120 HP. The On-The-Road price for a standard
VTS was £12,820. The (
VTR) had the same sporty looks as the
VTS but was fitted with an 8 valve TU5JP engine delivering 90 HP. The On-The-Road price for a standard VTR was £10,715.
The meaning of
VTS &
VTR:
VTS= Vitesse Tres Sportif (a high performance car) or Voiture Tres Sportive.
VTR= Vitesse Tres Riche (a sporty car with a high level of trim) or Voiture Tres Rapide
Both vehicles were fitted with:
5 speed gearbox
A decoupled front anti-roll bar
Disc brakes all round
Power assisted steering
Front fog lamps
Wide tyres
Central locking
Some versions were fitted with:
Air conditioning
Coded anti-theft device
Anti-lock braking system (ABS)
Radio
Performance
Code:
Saxo 1.6i VTR Saxo 1.6i VTS
0 to 400m 17.8 seconds 16.2 seconds
0 to 1000m 33.2 seconds 29.9 seconds
0 to 100Km/h 11.4 seconds 8.7 seconds
Maximum speed 187 km/hr 205 km/hr (127.4 mph)
Drag coeff. 0.33 0.33
Engine Characteristics
Code:
VTR VTS
Engine code TU5JP TU5JP4
Engine type* NFZ NFX
Capacity (cc) 1587 1587
Bore x stroke (mm) 78.5 x 82 78.5 x 82
Compression ratio 9.6:1 10.8:1
Maximum power* 90 hp 120 hp
Corresponding engine speed 5600 rpm 6600 rpm
Maximum torque 14 m.kg 15 m.kg
Corresponding engine speed 3000 rpm 5200 rpm
Emission standard L3 L3
Fuel injection system* BOSCH MP5.1/MP5.2 MAGNETI MARELLI 1AP
Maximum engine speed Not specified 7300 rpm
*In 2001:The VTR's NFZ was replaced by the NFT with the Bosch M7.4.4
which developed 100 hp
The VTS NFX received a MAGNETI MARELLI 48P
Fuel Supply System
Fuel tank capacity: 45 litres
Fuel pump pressure = 2.5 bar at engine idle rising to 3 bar at wide open throttle.
Fuel Injection System
Engine
TU5JP- Bosch M.P.5.2
TU5JP4- Magneti Marelli 1 AP 41
Ignition SystemTU5JP – static ignition coil
TU5JP4 – static twin ignition coils
GearboxTU5JP 20 CC 80
Code:
1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th Reverse Final Speedo Tyres
12/41 21/38 29/37 40/39 43/33 12/43 17/64 19/17 185/55 R14
TU5JP4 20 CC 12
Code:
1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th Reverse Final Speedo Tyres
12/41 20/39 28/38 37/39 41/35 12/43 16/63 19/17 185/55 R14
In 1997 the Saxo was given a slight nose-job and the flat grille received a curvy look.
During 1998 the keypad immobiliser was replaced by a transponder-operated coded anti-theft device fitted into the ignition key and the transponder-operated anti-theft device replaced the coded anti-theft device keypad previously fitted to the Saxo, removing the need to enter the 4-digit code.
The components of the transponder-operated anti-theft system are:
Key fitted with transponder
Analogue module with integral antenna fitted around the ignition barrel
Decoder unit fitted on the fusebox mounting beneath the dashboard (supplier " VALEO ")
Injection ECU (petrol engine)
An immobiliser warning lamp fitted in the instrument panel
During 1998 the 16-way central diagnostic socket fitted instead of 30-way one previously fitted.
After RPO 07828 the
VTR fuel supply was changed. A new fuel pressure regulator was fitted and this produced a constant 3.5 bar of pressure. It was located near to the fuel tank whereas previously it was on the end of the fuel rail in the engine bay. This necessitated a few changes including a new fuel rail without a fuel return valve and the fuel return pipes were no longer necessary.
The front-end was given a complete face-lift by 2000 with the release of the mark II with the headlamps being remodelled and the bonnet being more curved, somewhat reminiscent of the 2CV.
The 2001 engines were adapted to meet more stringent emissions standards and the
VTR received a new engine; the
NFT TU5JP (L4). Changes to the new
NFT TU5JP (L4) engine resulted in tighter emissions through a 3 plug Bosch M7.4.4 ECU but it also developed 100hp. The
NFX TU5J4 (L4) VTS engine was fitted with a Multipoint injection system MAGNETI MARELLI 48P.
Appendix
The Replacement Parts Organisation (OPR) number
The
RPO number, comprises a 5 digit serial number and 2 characters representing the factory where the vehicle was made. To find your "RPO" number see:
http://www.saxperience.com/forum/sho...d.php?t=245229
Code:
Citroen Factories Factory code
Poissy 81
Aulnay sous Bois CA
Rennes La Janais CJ
Mangualde FL
Vigo FV
Dangel U4
Sevel Sud U6
Heuliez U7
Sevel Nord U9
Example: 09390CA (CA = vehicle manufactured in
Aulnay sous Bois).
Alnay sous Bois is a plant in the outskirts of Paris. As well as being a manufacturing plant it houses a historical collection of over 300 Citroen models. Sadly, it is not open to the public but enthusiasts are occasionally allowed to visit it.
See:
http://www.citroenet.org.uk/photothe...rvatoire1.html
Linear Mode
