Good though the BX was, it didn’t make its way into as many company car buyer lists as PSA, Citroën’s parent, would have liked. While aficionados gasped, the BX’s indirect replacement was less radical in appearance or in character, though it retained hydropneumatic suspension.
Shown to the press in late 1992, the Xantia indirectly replaced the BX in 1993, the BX estate staying in catalogues.
The new car, styled by Bertone, certainly made an impact: it was voted Car of the Year in 1993. The range was simple: base X, midrange SX and top of the range VSX, the latter incorporating computer control (and two extra spheres) for the suspension, dubbed ‘Hydractive II’.
Engine-wise, 1.6-,1.8-,2.0- and 2.0-litre 16v petrol engines were made available, with a pair of naturally aspirated and…