The Citroën Xsara hit the market in 1997 and, just a few months later, in January 1998, its successful coupé version and the Break or family variant were presented. This completed the range of a model that marked an important milestone in the history of the brand in Spain by becoming the leader in the national passenger car market between 2000 and 2003, consolidating Citroën’s reign in the Spanish market at the beginning of the first decade of the 21st century.
The Citroën Xsara arrived on the market with the aim of replacing a model that had become a myth for the brand due to its commercial results as well as its sporting successes: the Citroën ZX. Occupying the gap left in the range by a model with which Citroën had reconquered the C segment and won the Dakar Rally seemed like an arduous task, however, the Xsara managed to surpass its predecessor and leave an important technological legacy. .
Already its commercial launch was differential. It had one of the most sought-after top-models of the moment, the German Claudia Schiffer, to be an advertising alter-ego for this ‘Made in Spain’ vehicle, since it was manufactured, among others, in the centers of Vigo and Madrid.
After a great staging, its dynamic and modern design for the time, the work of Donato Coco, its diversity of versions (Berlina, Coupé and Break) and its features, did the rest: they made it a bestseller, leading the Spanish market. of passenger cars between 2000, the date of its first restyling, and 2003.
The world of competition was another of the great showcases for the Xsara. During its early years, its Xsara Kit-Car version surprised fans by dominating the Spanish and French Rally Championships and standing up to, and even winning, the almighty World Rally Cars in various World Cup events, such as the Catalonia Rallies. and Corsica.
However, the consecration came with the development of the Citroën Xsara WRC and the emergence of what would ultimately become a motorsport icon, Sébastien Loeb. This tandem would win three world titles for pilots and as many for constructors.
The Citroën Xsara also had a fundamental role in the development of technologies that have become commonplace in today’s automobiles. Thus, the Citroën Xsara Windows CE became, in February 2000, the first connected vehicle, or “communicator” as it was called at the time, to be manufactured and marketed in series.
As far as alternative energies are concerned, the Xsara Dynalto was a great step forward, with CO2 emissions reduced by 20% in the city and a range of 730 km. For its part, the Xsara Dynactive went further, reducing consumption and CO2 emissions by 35% and reaching a range of 1,000 km. It also marked the arrival of the 100% electric ZEV mode, which completely eliminated polluting and noise emissions.
Production of the Citroën Xsará in its three and five-door versions ceased in 2004, while that of the family car lasted until 2006.
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