In 1993, Citroën was already working on the future concept car that the brand will present at the Paris auto show next year, as is customary among manufacturers to exhibit models whose lines and ideas will be found on future models. They are neither more nor less technological showcases for the know-how of the manufacturer.

In addition to this, you will need to know more about it.

The Xanae foreshadows what will later be the Xsara Picasso minivan. It also gives some clues about the style of future Citroëns and marks the return of names (Xsara, Xantia ...) instead of letters (BX, XM ...). The Xanae is a concept vehicle between the sedan and the traditional minivan. Citroën is here making its contribution to the search for a new generation of highly user-friendly automobiles for five people. The chevron brand anticipates the car of tomorrow which is likened to the "spare part of the apartment", according to sociologist Paul Virilio.

In addition to this, you will need to know more about it.

Citroën was looking for a new type of compact car, a short vehicle that would offer comfortable seats for five people. Something new, between a traditional car and a minivan. A vehicle to comfortably transport its passengers, but which is not a utility vehicle; A more classic and elegant car that is comfortable and spacious. Something that was totally new: a cross between a sedan and a compact car.

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A team of thirty specialists in various fields, namely marketing, interior and exterior design, equipment, electrical systems and electronics, worked together under the authority of Luc Epron for six months to make the Xanae a fully operational vehicle.

For the car to be believable and taken seriously, it had to be made of steel and offer the same level of finish as a production car. And obviously, it had to roll. This was imperative if Citroën wanted to establish the interest of the motorist.

An original concept

So the Xanae is a realistic car. It offers maximum comfort and overall safety packaged in a compact frame (4.20 meters long). He also has a strong personality, expressed in the fun style that breaks with recent trends of the time, a personality that reminds you of a beloved old friend.

More importantly, the exterior of the Xanae has been designed to enhance fun while being firmly innovative. For this reason, the Xanae has large picture windows. Generously, the windshield rises into the roof to form an arc, thus increasing the amount of light entering the car. The interior concept and exterior styling meet in the side doors, which open front and rear without a center pillar on the right side providing easy access. The front of the Xanae contains the original shaped headlamps fitted with gas discharge bulbs and fiber optic connections, the front fenders are designed to create harmonious curves and give the Xanae a rugged feel as well as highlighting its powerful personality. The front part of the hood is strongly and contoured. And to emphasize the new silhouette and shape, the Xanae has been painted with a special pearlescent paint. Thus, the Xanae brings together a host of innovations in terms of style, handling, usability, ease of use, safety and comfort on a global scale.

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Comfort above all

The Xanae is ideally sized. With a total length of 4.20m, the Xanae is halfway between the ZX and the Xantia while in terms of height (1.55m) it is between the Xantia and the Evasion. In terms of length, it is equivalent to the XM. The designers at Citroën's Creative Center used this data to create the car's interior for one purpose: to give occupants optimal comfort and space.

Visitors to the Paris Motor Show saw for themselves that this goal has been achieved.

The dashboard frees up a lot of interior space and is really user-friendly. The control panel can be raised and lowered with the steering column and the instrument cluster is located to the right of the steering wheel. Essential driving information is displayed at the base of the windshield, making it easy to read quickly. The two LCD data screens display vehicle speed, radio stations and frequencies as well as phone numbers. Data selection and input facilities are also included. Of course, the Xanae is equipped with an in-car entertainment system complete with CD player and hands-free phone. The interior space has been designed to make the car comfortable for family use. The result is a very modular layout. The rear seat curves to conform to the interior of the cabin, allowing the three rear passengers to enjoy the same comfort as in their own living room. The interior is also very versatile with removable and swivel seats in the front to make the car even more comfortable and user-friendly. To make this comfort and versatility possible, the Xanae's gear lever is located on the steering wheel to free up the space between the front seats and to take full advantage of the possibilities offered by the swivel seats. The choice of material and upholstery further accentuates the feeling of comfort.

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In addition to its flat, raised floor, which guarantees effective protection against side impact, the Xanae has been designed around Xantia's robust subframe. The Xanaé is equipped with Hydractive II, Citroën's latest suspension system. These features help to give the Xanae dynamic comfort and a high degree of overall safety, giving each of the five passengers a pleasant and comfortable journey. Whatever the attitude of the vehicle, braking, grip, wheel control and traction are optimized. When cornering, man and machine are in perfect harmony thanks to the vehicle's roll correction system, which relies on centrifugal force to prevent the car from wallowing while negotiating corners. The occupants of the car experience a whole new feeling that combines driving comfort and driving pleasure. The Xanae is fitted with a 2 liter, 16 V engine delivering 135 hp. The vehicle's automatic transmission system is electronically controlled.