Intro: JUBILATION
On the occasion of the open house at Motors TV, four of our viewing audience got a special baptism by fire. Alongside Brice Tirabassi, Champion of the French Super 1600 Rally Championship, they got a little taste of the Citroen Saxo 1600 on the race track, and we went along of course to test it out for ourselves.
What is a Super 1600 ? As its name indicates, a car built for rallying, a sort of miniature two-wheel drive WRC equipped with a 1600 cm3 atmospheric engine.
The Saxo’s engine develops 203 horsepower at 8500 revs and possesses a torque of 18.2 mkg at 6000 revs. It is coupled with a six speed sequential gearbox.
Before getting behind the wheel Brice Tirabassi was up front: the Saxo Super 1600 is very physical to drive, more so than a Mitsubishi Group N, according to him. Because it is short, because it has front wheel drive and its reactions require maximum concentration.
The Saxo weighs in at 950 kilos and 203 horsepower, that gives a weight to power ratio of less than 5 kilos per horsepower and the as our laps as passengers had proved, there is plenty of push ! Raging, with the noise of the engine filling the interior, the little 1600 is a picture of health. It climbs quickly up the revs, on the dashboard the green then orange warning lights come on incessantly. Gears changes, both up and down, take place in full flight, without releasing the clutch.
When the car is straining, you mustn’t hesitate to really go for it, otherwise the control baulks...
With its weight spread with 64% in the front, the Saxo is not just alive but very lively, and restless. It needs to be handled with care, the front end would happily understeer and the back slide, lift a wheel... or get round to the front... see what I mean... A spin to teach us a lesson. Never mind, with a bit of practise we get used to it and improve. We go faster... over the bump, the suspension finally lightens up... and on landing, just as we have to brake, the Saxo finally rears up... jubilation !
Esthetique: The pictures
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