Mods and Consequences

Citroën AX

The AX rather struggles in the shadow of its Peugeot siblings in the classic car world, but this is all to the good for modifiers. Values are low and parts interchangeability between other PSA models means that there’s a lot to work with.

It is most compatible with the Citroën Saxo and Peugeot 106 because, like the AX, they were powered solely by the TU family of engines, unlike the entirely different unit used in the 205 GTI. The 120bhp 16-valve engine featured in the Saxo VTS and 106 GTi will fit easily into any AX and is by far the most popular candidate for swapping. It’s worth considering the 100bhp eight-valve 1.6 used in the Saxo VTR, too.

While it’s possible to use new aftermarket parts to upgrade the AX’s suspension and brakes to deal with the extra power, it’s actually easier and cheaper to just buy a Saxo write-off or MoT failure. Then you can swap the parts over that you want, with no chance of missing bits or confusion concerning how they go back together.

However, the AX’s extreme light weight (the lightest cars weigh just 640kg) mean that its talents amount to more than nippy acceleration and tidy handling – the car is also capable of immense fuel economy. Indeed, a 1.4-litre AX diesel set a world record of 100mpg in 1989.

Today, you’re more likely to find the more robust 1.5-litre diesel for sale, which must be the fastest naturallyaspirated diesel from 0-60mph ever made, having similar performance to the 1.1-litre petrol model.

Swapping out the original Lucas fuel pump for the Bosch pump used in late-model 106/Saxo diesels will increase performance further, but more importantly for the eco-motorist, allows the use of vegetable oil for ultimate economy motoring. And no, we’re not joking!