Body style: Hatchback
Segment: Small
Production years: 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989
n the beginning of the '80s, Citroen needed a car to compete in the European compact class. In time, its dimensions downgraded the car into the small class. But in 1985 it was in the same dimensional league with the Golf.
The Citroen Axel was created to replace the Ami, which was launched in 1961 and it was already old. Its design was not suitable anymore for a market that discovered the hatchback bodywork and its advantages, from the Renault 16. The first generation of the VW Golf appeared in the '70s.
The Axel was a joint program developed by Citroen and the Romanian Communist government. The car was based on the Citroen Visa and according to the project the French company should help and build a factory in Romania (Eastern Europe). With all said and done, the car production started in 1985 in Craiova and it was exported as a 3- and 5-door variant in some Western countries. The deal was to have the car produced for the Romanian and East European market in 3-door only.
The interior had room for five passengers and an average-sized trunk. Its only options were the rear window wiper, the radio-cassette player, and a sun-visor for the passenger.
The technical platform was developed by PSA and it featured a flat-four engine for the Western markets. The 4-speed manual gearbox was the only available. The brake-discs were on top of the drive-shafts, next to the gearbox. As modern technology, it featured an electronic ignition. The joint-venture lasted until 1989, but the 3-door version was produced a few more years for the Romanian market only.
ENGINE SPECS - 1.1L 4MT FWD (58 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1129 cm3 |
Power: | 42.7 KW @ 6250 RPM 58 HP @ 6250 RPM 57 BHP @ 6250 RPM |
Torque: | 58 lb-ft @ 3500 RPM 79 Nm @ 3500 RPM |
Fuel System: | Carburetor |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 93.2 mph (150 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 15.4 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 4-speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 145SR13 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 146.5 in (3721 mm) |
Width: | 60.6 in (1539 mm) |
Height: | 55.9 in (1420 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 52/48.8 in (1,321/1,240 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 93.3 in (2370 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 5.3 in (135 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 10.4 cuFT (294 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.4 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 1843.1 lbs (836 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 2777.8 lbs (1260 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 26.1 mpg US (9 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 29.4 mpg US (8 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 30.9 mpg US (7.6 L/100Km) |
ENGINE SPECS - 1.3L 4MT FWD (61 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1299 cm3 |
Power: | 45 KW @ 5500 RPM 61 HP @ 5500 RPM 60 BHP @ 5500 RPM |
Torque: | 71 lb-ft @ 3250 RPM 96 Nm @ 3250 RPM |
Fuel System: | Carburetor |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 97.6 mph (157 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 13.1 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Front Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 5-speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 160/65R340 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 146.5 in (3721 mm) |
Width: | 60.6 in (1539 mm) |
Height: | 55.9 in (1420 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 52/48.8 in (1,321/1,240 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 93.3 in (2370 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 5.3 in (135 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 10.4 cuFT (294 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.4 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 1816.6 lbs (824 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 2810.9 lbs (1275 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 27.4 mpg US (8.6 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 30.5 mpg US (7.7 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 32.2 mpg US (7.3 L/100Km) |