Citroën AX
| Company type | Supermini car model |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Predecessor | Citroën Visa, Citroën LNA |
| Founded | 1986 |
| Fate | Discontinued in December 1998 |
| Headquarters | Paris , France |
| Products | Supermini cars (hatchback), including petrol, diesel, 4x4, sport and electric variants |
| Parent | Citroën |
The Citroën AX is a supermini model manufactured by the French automaker Citroën between 1986 and 1998. It was introduced at the 1986 Paris Motor Show as the successor to both the Citroën Visa and Citroën LNA.
Overview
Development of the AX began in 1983, originally planned to serve as a platform for a related Talbot model intended to replace the Talbot Samba. However, due to Talbot's declining market presence and Peugeot’s success with the 205, the Talbot version was ultimately shelved before entering production.
The AX was first released on 2 October 1986 for left-hand drive markets, initially offered as a three-door hatchback powered by 1.0, 1.1, and 1.4 L engines from the TU series featuring belt-driven OHC petrol units. The five-door variant arrived in 1987, with a 1.4 L diesel option debuting in 1988 and later upgraded to a 1.5 L engine in 1994. The right-hand drive version for the UK launched in August 1987, starting with a three-door model and adding a five-door a year later to replace the five-door Citroën Visa. After the discontinuation of the classic Citroën 2CV in 1990, the AX became Citroën’s smallest available vehicle. Initial production units experienced minor gear shift issues that were addressed prior to export.
A notable advertising campaign for the AX featured actress Janet Mas and "Mr. Wong" in a commercial filmed in China.
Designed with economy in mind, the AX combined excellent aerodynamic efficiency (achieving a drag coefficient of 0.31) with low weight (starting from ), accomplished through the use of plastic panels on non-structural sections and carefully optimized steel thicknesses. Engineers also prioritized minimizing engine friction. The vehicle offered fully independent suspension with extended wheel travel.
Optional bumpers made from self-coloured plastic were developed as part of the PSA/Renault/French government ECO 2000 initiative. The final production design was more restrained compared to the original 'one-box' prototype, which later influenced models such as the Renault Twingo (1992).
In 1989, an aluminium-alloy diesel version of the AX set a Guinness World Record for fuel economy by achieving over from Dover to Barcelona. A limited-production five-door 4x4 model was also available but experienced limited success relative to competitors like the Fiat Panda 4x4 and was never offered in the UK market.
Performance-oriented editions included the limited AX Sport (1987), which featured a twin-carburettor 1.3L engine producing , distinctive white steel wheels reminiscent of those on the Peugeot 205 Rallye, and initially Solex carburettors later replaced by Weber units. Due to space constraints in the engine bay, it had a shortened inlet manifold. Over time, additional color options and optional GT wheels and spoilers were introduced.
The AX 14 GT came equipped with a single double-barrel carburettor 1.4L engine shared with the Peugeot 205 XS. Starting in 1991, fuel injection systems were implemented across the range to comply with stricter EU emissions standards effective from 1992, including fitting catalytic converters.
Facelift
In late 1991, the AX lineup underwent updates featuring a redesigned rear tailgate and refreshed interior elements. Key changes included clear front turn indicators and repositioning of the Citroën emblem to the center of the bonnet. The dashboard was replaced with a more conventional layout.
The most powerful AX model, the 100 PS GTi, was introduced in 1992. The GT variant was briefly sold alongside it before being discontinued. Several limited editions such as Forte, Spree, Elation, and Dimension broadened the range.
January 1995 saw the release of the Citroën AX Echo, capable of reaching speeds up to 110 mi/h. It outpaced its direct rival, the Peugeot 106 Ski, which shared some components with the AX.
In November 1995 (model year ’96), Citroën launched the AX Électrique—available as both a four-seat passenger car and a two-seat panel van aimed at administrative fleets. Powered by a 20 kW electric motor paired with nickel-cadmium batteries, it could reach speeds up to 91 km/h and had an estimated urban driving range of approximately 75 km. The vehicle’s weight was around 995 kg (980 kg for van variants).
Following introduction of the Saxo in June 1996, production of AX models was scaled back until ending entirely in December 1998 after twelve years on sale. Manufacturing at Vigo concluded in May 1997 after producing roughly 812,000 units; assembly briefly continued at Mangualde, Portugal afterward. The UK market saw withdrawal early in 1997 due to discontinuation of right-hand drive versions. Overall production totaled approximately 2,561,432 vehicles.
Both the Peugeot 106 (launched in 1991) and Citroën Saxo were developed using platforms derived from the AX architecture. While these successors reflected trends toward heavier and safer cars, the AX emphasized lightweight construction and simplicity combined with more conventional styling compared to earlier Citroën models.
Derivatives
In 1996, MDI fitted the EV3 engine (air engine) into a Citroën AX. Earlier, at the 1988 Mondial de l'Automobile, Heuliez presented an estate model named the AX Evasion. Citroën also developed limited editions and the concept vehicle Xanthia, both based on the AX platform.
The Citroën AX BB Cabrio was a compact roadster variant introduced in 1988. In Portugal, the dealership Benjamin Barral created an unofficial convertible version called the BB AX Cabrio, initially equipped with the AX GT 1.4 L engine and later offered with a range of AX powertrains.
PSA Peugeot Citroën had plans to replace the Talbot Samba by introducing an AX model under the Talbot brand, but this project was abandoned after Talbot withdrew from the passenger car market in 1987 due to poor sales.
Between 1992 and 1994, Citroën released the AX Pistes Rouges 4WD 1400, derived from the three-door AX GT 1360cc, featuring a four-wheel-drive system engineered by French company Dangel.
From 1996 until 2000, Malaysian manufacturer Proton produced the Proton Tiara, which was based on the Citroën AX.
Mega Club/Ranch
The Aixam subsidiary Aixam Mega created AX-based models named Mega Club and Mega Ranch, drawing inspiration from the Citroën Méhari. These featured plastic body panels, optional convertible tops, and either two- or four-wheel drive configurations. Nearly 1,000 units were manufactured before production ended in 1998. A competition variant powered by Ford and Honda engines competed in the early 1990s Andros Trophy.
Citroën AX Electrique
From December 1993 to 1996, Citroën manufactured 374 units of the AX Electrique. These were equipped with a liquid-cooled 120V Nickel-Cadmium (NiCad) battery rated at 100Ah and paired with a 20kW (26hp) electric motor (nominal output: 11kW/15hp). The vehicle offered an approximate range of 75km, a top speed of 90km/h, and acceleration from 0 to 50km/h in 8.3 seconds. It featured a proprietary fast-charging system enabling a recharge equivalent to 20km of range within 10 minutes at designated stations throughout France. The AX Electrique retailed for 80,000 French Francs and was later succeeded by the Citroën Saxo Electrique.
A modified variant outfitted with Lithium-Iron-Phosphate batteries (LiFePO4) by CEA-Liten set a world endurance record in 2011 for distance covered by an electric vehicle over a continuous 24-hour period—1,280km—achieved through relay-style driving and rapid charging. This version incorporated a 14kWh LiFePO4 battery delivering ranges between charges of approximately 105 to 115km, with fast charging completed in just 38 minutes.
Models
| VDS | Model | Production |
|---|---|---|
| ZAZA | AX 10 E | 1986–1990 |
| ZAZA | AX Ten | From 1991 in UK |
| ZAZA | AX 10 RE | 1987–1989 |
| ZAZB | AX 10 RE | 1987–1988 |
| ZALH | AX 10 | From 1992 in UK |
| ZAZB | AX 11 RE | Produced between 1988–1990 |
| ZAZB | AX 11 TE | Manufactured from 1990–1991 |
| ZAZB | AX 11 TGE | Available during 1990–1991 |
| ZAZB | AX 11 TRE | Produced between 1987–1989 |
| ZAZB | AX 11 TRS | Manufactured from 1990–1991 |
| ZAZA | AX 11 | Produced between 1992–1994 |
| ZAZP | AX 11 | Available from 1994 in UK |
| ZADA | AX 11 | From 1994 in UK |
| ZAZC | AX 11; also AX14 TRS (1987–1990), AX14 TZX (1991) | UK production for AX11 from 1994; various for AX14 models |
| ZADD, ZAZD, ZADE, ZAZY, ZAZX | AX14 and various GT versions | Produced from 1987–1994; UK market included since early '90s |
| ZADN, ZADM | AX GTi | Available from early '90s in UK |
| ZALB, ZALF, ZALG | AX four-wheel drive models | From early '90s in UK |
| ZAZL | AX Sport | Manufactured between 1987–1991 |
| Various VDS codes (ZAZA, ZAZB etc.) | Special editions such as K-Way, Spot, Image, Thalassa, Volcane | Limited runs during early '90s |
| ZAZT, ZADF, ZAKH, ZAKJ | Diesel variants including AX14 D and AX15 D | Early '90s with continued availability in UK market |
| ZAZH, ZALJ, ZAZJ | Multiple versions of AX10 and AX11 including TE, RE, TGE trims | Late '80s through early '90s production |
| ZAZU | Various diesel and special editions including Image D and Thalassa D | Late '80s to mid-'90s production |
| ZAXZ | AX Electrique | Produced between 1993–1996 |