CHIC ON THE CHEAP (some text hidden) --NONE--

BY JONATHAN CROUCH

Introductionword count: 41

On the lookout for a Supermini bargain? Then it's hard to better Citroen's little AX. Now replaced by the bigger Saxo, it makes plenty of sense for the small car buyer, particularly as there are plenty around - at tempting prices.

Modelsword count: 100

Models Covered: FIRST GENERATION AX - 1987-1991: (1.0 3 & 5DR HATCHBACK [E] / 1.1 3 & 5DR HATCHBACK [RE, TGE, TRE, TRS, TZX] / 1.4 3 & 5DR HATCHBACK [TRS, GT, TZS, TZX] / 1.4 DIESEL 3 & 5DR HATCHBACK [RD, TGD, DTR]) Second generation AX - 1991-1997: (1.0 3 & 5dr Hatchback [Debut] / 1.1 3 & 5dr Hatchback [Echo, Echo Plus, Forte, TZX II] / 1.4 3 & 5dr Hatchback [GT II, Forte, GTi, TZX II] / 1.4 Diesel 3 & 5dr Hatchback [Echo, Echo Plus, TZD] / 1.5 Diesel 3 & 5dr Hatchback [Debut, Echo Plus])

Historyword count: 207

The AX was arguably Citroen's first serious Supermini and was launched in 1987 with attendant hype, which included a trip along the Great Wall of China. Though under the skin, many parts were shared with Peugeot - including all the engines - the car managed to quickly develop its own unique Parisian personality, dispelling the myth that budget cars had to be boring. The model range has included 1.0-litre, 1.1 and 1.4-litre petrol engines as well as a 1.4-litre diesel (upgraded to 1.5-litres in May 1994). Of these, the diesels were particularly popular, mainly because independent tests consistently found them to be the most economical small cars it was possible to buy. The budget 'hot hatch' GT models were - and are - also in demand, with the best made between 1991 and 1992, incorporating the facelift improvements. Rest to sixty in these non-catalysed cars takes just 9.2 seconds on the way to 108mph. Yet insurance is rated at an affordable group 9. Later warmed-up variants (known as 'Fortes') gained catalytic converters but lost power as a result. The ultimate AX was the 100bhp fuel injected GTi, produced between 1991 and 1994. It sold poorly, however and suffered under group 11 insurance, so used examples are rare.

What You Getword count: 124

A little car that's miserly at the pumps, but a whole lot of fun out on the open road. That suspension isn't as complicated as larger Citroens but it still irons out bumps with the composure of much larger cars. And because an AX tends to be lighter than comparable Superminis (and feels it), the car tends to feel a lot more responsive than the engine output would suggest. The 1991 facelift brought better brakes, a more modern dashboard and subtle bodywork changes. There's also improved sound insulation, which was welcomed by most buyers. You'll probably recognise these cars by their clear front indicator lenses. Unfortunately, those clever Perrier bottle holders in the doors found in the original design went west with the spruce-up.

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