Saxo: VTS & VTR

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  1. #3746456
    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 System
    TU5JP – static ignition coil
    TU5JP4 – static twin ignition coils
    Gearbox
    TU5JP 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