Citroën Activa
Encyclopedia
The Citroën Activa and Activa 2 were two concept cars produced by the French
manufacturer Citroën
as a means to test and to showcase features intended for future use in their production cars. Both were unveiled at the Paris Motor Show
in 1988 and 1990 respectively.
The name Activa was later used to refer to the production Xantia fitted with Activa suspension.
(known as the "Hydractive" system) combined with an active anti-roll-bar. This married Citroën's famous hydropneumatic suspension system to sophisticated electronics
, enabling the handling
of the car to automatically adapt to how it was being driven as well as virtually eliminating body roll (one of the main criticisms of Citroën's hydropneumatic system was the amount of body roll). The Hydractive system was soon to become available to the public first in Citroën's XM
model 1989, and Xantia
model 1993. In 1995 Activa prototypes' active anti-roll-bar was introduced in the Xantia Activa
, making it one of the few production cars to have active suspension.
, anti-lock brakes and traction control
, which were high-tech for the time, while the Activa 2 was more conventional, except the anti-roll-system and featured a center console keypad instead of a gear lever and a navigation system
.
, but it was eventually decided that Citroën's image would make it too hard to compete with prestigious marques such as Mercedes-Benz
and Porsche
in the luxury 2-seat coupe
market.
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
manufacturer Citroën
Citroën
Citroën is a major French automobile manufacturer, part of the PSA Peugeot Citroën group.Founded in 1919 by French industrialist André-Gustave Citroën , Citroën was the first mass-production car company outside the USA and pioneered the modern concept of creating a sales and services network that...
as a means to test and to showcase features intended for future use in their production cars. Both were unveiled at the Paris Motor Show
Mondial de l'Automobile
The Paris Motor Show is a biennial auto show in Paris. Held around October, it is one of the most important auto shows, often with many new production automobile and concept car debuts. The show was the first motor show in the world, started in 1898 by industry pioneer, Albert de Dion. The show...
in 1988 and 1990 respectively.
The name Activa was later used to refer to the production Xantia fitted with Activa suspension.
Features
Among the features seen on the Activa models was the electronically controlled hydropneumatic suspensionSuspension (vehicle)
Suspension is the term given to the system of springs, shock absorbers and linkages that connects a vehicle to its wheels. Suspension systems serve a dual purpose — contributing to the car's roadholding/handling and braking for good active safety and driving pleasure, and keeping vehicle occupants...
(known as the "Hydractive" system) combined with an active anti-roll-bar. This married Citroën's famous hydropneumatic suspension system to sophisticated electronics
Electronics
Electronics is the branch of science, engineering and technology that deals with electrical circuits involving active electrical components such as vacuum tubes, transistors, diodes and integrated circuits, and associated passive interconnection technologies...
, enabling the handling
Car handling
Automobile handling and vehicle handling are descriptions of the way wheeled vehicles perform transverse to their direction of motion, particularly during cornering and swerving. It also includes their stability when moving at rest. Handling and braking are the major components of a vehicle's...
of the car to automatically adapt to how it was being driven as well as virtually eliminating body roll (one of the main criticisms of Citroën's hydropneumatic system was the amount of body roll). The Hydractive system was soon to become available to the public first in Citroën's XM
Citroën XM
The Citroën XM is an executive car that was produced by the French automaker Citroën between 1989 and 2000. Citroën sold 333,775 XMs during the model's 11 years of production...
model 1989, and Xantia
Citroën Xantia
The Citroën Xantia, pronounced 'Zan-tia' is a large family car produced by the French automaker Citroën. First seen at the end of 1992, the car was produced between 1993 and 2001, with a facelift in 1998. Citroën sold over 1.2 million Xantias during its 8 years of production...
model 1993. In 1995 Activa prototypes' active anti-roll-bar was introduced in the Xantia Activa
Citroën Xantia
The Citroën Xantia, pronounced 'Zan-tia' is a large family car produced by the French automaker Citroën. First seen at the end of 1992, the car was produced between 1993 and 2001, with a facelift in 1998. Citroën sold over 1.2 million Xantias during its 8 years of production...
, making it one of the few production cars to have active suspension.
Activa 1
The Activa 1 also included full hydraulically connected, single wheel independent four wheel steeringSteering
Steering is the term applied to the collection of components, linkages, etc. which will allow a vessel or vehicle to follow the desired course...
, anti-lock brakes and traction control
Traction control system
A traction control system , also known as anti-slip regulation , is typically a secondary function of the anti-lock braking system on production motor vehicles, designed to prevent loss of traction of driven road wheels...
, which were high-tech for the time, while the Activa 2 was more conventional, except the anti-roll-system and featured a center console keypad instead of a gear lever and a navigation system
Automotive navigation system
An automotive navigation system is a satellite navigation system designed for use in automobiles. It typically uses a GPS navigation device to acquire position data to locate the user on a road in the unit's map database. Using the road database, the unit can give directions to other locations...
.
Activa 2
The Activa 2 was considered for production as a successor to the SMSM
- Organizations :* SM Supermalls, a chain of shopping malls in the Philippines* S.M. Entertainment, a South Korean talent agency, classidal music, dance* SM Prime Holdings, a Philippine retail operator* Savoia-Marchetti, an Italian aircraft company...
, but it was eventually decided that Citroën's image would make it too hard to compete with prestigious marques such as Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz is a German manufacturer of automobiles, buses, coaches, and trucks. Mercedes-Benz is a division of its parent company, Daimler AG...
and Porsche
Porsche
Porsche Automobil Holding SE, usually shortened to Porsche SE a Societas Europaea or European Public Company, is a German based holding company with investments in the automotive industry....
in the luxury 2-seat coupe
Coupé
A coupé or coupe is a closed car body style , the precise definition of which varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, and over time...
market.