Performance Review: Citroen AX Sport - [1987]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Citroen AX Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Citroen AX Sport is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1987. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1987 Porsche 959 Turbo and the 1987 Ferrari F40 2.9 V8.This particular Citroen AX has a 1294cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The AX shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the AX's Front Wheel Drive, Hatchback combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 715 kgs (1576 lbs) this makes the Citroen AX Sport in the same weight category as the 2003 Lotus Elise 1.8 S2 Sport 190 or the give or take 50kg.

The Citroen AX shares the same bhp with the 2017 Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCi ST-Line 120 (118 bhp)

In terms of power the 1294cc 16V St4 engine produces 95 bhp (70 kW) @ 6800 rpm similar to the 2017 Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCi ST-Line 120 (118 bhp) or the 2013 Caterham 7 160/165 0.7L Turbo (79 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 83 lb-ft (112.5 Nm) @ 5000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2013 Caterham 7 160/165 0.7L Turbo (79 lb-ft) or the 2012 Lexus CT 200h 1.8L (105 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Citroen AX you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1968 Ferrari 206 Dino GT (157.8 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Citroen AX.

The Citroen AX has a Power to weight ratio of 132.8 bhp per ton and 116.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1987 AX competing with the 1968 Ferrari 206 Dino GT (157.8 bhp per ton) or the 2006 Seat Leon 1.8 20vt Cupra R 210 (157.7 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Citroen AX generating around 116.0 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2015 KIA Ceed GT 1.6 Turbo (141.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 1985 Lotus Excel SE 2.2 16v (140.9 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 9.30 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 9.6 secs, this made the Citroen AX Sport as fast as the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (9.30 secs) the 2000 Alfa-Romeo 166 2.0 ts (9.30 secs) the 1993 Vauxhall-Opel Corsa 1.6 GSi 16V (9.30 secs) the or the 1991 Peugeot 205 Rallye 1.3 8v (9.30 secs). This Citroen AX Sport is also faster than the 1986 Ford Granada Scorpio 4x4 2.8 V6 (9.40 secs) the 1973 Vauxhall-Opel Firenza Droop Snoot 2.3 Litre (9.40 secs) the 1955 Ford Thunderbird 292 Fordomatic 1st Gen. (9.40 secs) the and the 2001 Alfa-Romeo 147 TS Selespeed (9.50 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the AX and the 1988 Aston-Martin Virage 5.3 V8 1988

When talking about the performance of the Citroen AX on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.99 secs @ 85.6 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1988 Aston-Martin Virage 5.3 V8 1988 (15.92 secs), the 2004 Honda Civic 2.0i 16v VTEC Type R - EP3 (15.92 secs), and the 2001 Honda Civic 2.0i 16v VTEC Type R EP2 - EDM (15.92 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1987 version of the Citroen AX Sport has a maximum speed of 110mph.

Top Speed of the 1987 AX equals the 2017 Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCi ST-Line 120 (121 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1987 Citroen AX Sport then how about the 2017 Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCi ST-Line 120 (121 mph), the 2007 Toyota Yaris 1.8L TS (121 mph), or the 2004 Land-Rover Discovery 3 4.4 V8 (121 mph).

Related Links:

1987 AX Rivals List.

A Brief History of Citroen

Car Comparison