Do the Exclusive and VSX models have Activa suspension??

ashy90 · Unread post by **ashy90** » 23 Oct 2010, 12:54

Hi there, new to the site. Citroen Xantias are new to me, I understand the Xantia Activa is the 'sports' model in the range of Xantias, and I believe it has 10 spheres instead of the normal 6, is that right? I have heard they are meant to corner very well.

What I would like to know, is does the Xantia 'Exclusive' and 'VSX' models have the top spec suspension setup with the extra spheres that the Activa has? If not, do ANY Xantias other than the Activa have the Activa setup?

I ask this as it seems quite hard to find a Xantia Activa. When I looked the other day Ebay came up with 0 results, and Autotrader had none in 100 miles.

Thanks,
Ashley

Chris570 · Unread post by **Chris570** » 23 Oct 2010, 13:56

Hiya,

in a word, No.

Only the Activa (or sometimes called Activia

) has that suspension setup.

the Exclusive and VSX models have Hydractive which means 8 spheres in total. (Google Hydractive to learn more)

ashy90 · Unread post by **ashy90** » 23 Oct 2010, 14:11

Ah right I see. Thats a shame, as it seems pretty difficult to get a Activa!

Whats the difference in terms of ride and handling etc. between the Exclusive/VSX models and the standard ones?

Chris570 · Unread post by **Chris570** » 23 Oct 2010, 14:19

they aren't toooo hard to find, they pop up from time to time, a bit like the v6.

the hydractive xantia has 2 modes in effect, a comfort and a sport mode so it can be softer in normal and switch to sport and be harder than normal when required.

Not the best explanation sorry. Basically the base models have to be a compromise but the hydractive ones don't have to be

DickieG · Unread post by **DickieG** » 23 Oct 2010, 14:41

ashy90 wrote:Whats the difference in terms of ride and handling etc. between the Exclusive/VSX models and the standard ones?

The ride on an Activa is noticeably stiffer than a VSX/Exclusive, as far as handling yes an Activa will hold on for longer due to the stiffer set up and less roll but having owned numerous Hydractive Xantia's and an Activa, unless you really enjoy the thrill of tearing around corners every drive I'm of the opinion that an Activa brings about unnecessary complications and significantly increased expense with regards to the Activa specific parts. The other thing about Activa's over here is that they were only available with the CT Turbo engine which is rather thirsty and not the most pleasant to drive gently as they all appear to have a slight stutter on light throttle settings presumably due to the engine mapping from new.

Xaccers · Unread post by **Xaccers** » 23 Oct 2010, 14:51

hydractive has 8 spheres. The four corner ones give the car a firmer ride. The two center spheres give it a soft ride.
when the car detects it is being driven sportily such as hard acceleration or fast cornering, it cuts the two soft spheres off giving you stiffer suspension.
The sport mode button changes how sensitive the switch to hard mode is, so floor it in normal mode and the boot will sink a bit before hard mode kicks in. Do the same with the sport mode button pressed and the boot has hardly time to move before the suspension stiffens.

The Activa has the same, but in addition it has a ram and sphere on each antiroll bars. This compensates for body roll by stiffening the ARB.

In general, exclusive/vsx are considered more comfortable and less complicated, they are also available in more engines in the UK, whereas unfortunately the Activa is only available in the thirsty but fun 2.0 TCT petrol.

ashy90 · Unread post by **ashy90** » 23 Oct 2010, 15:02

Hmmm I see. I may go for a Exclusive or VSX model then. Are they the highest spec models? (Activa aside) and are there any other models with this hydractive 8 sphered setup, or it it just the exclusive and vsx?

I dont want a standard Xantia with its boat like handling/ride, but I like the sound of an Activa/Exclusive/VSX.

Unread post by **myglaren** » 23 Oct 2010, 17:07

Where abouts are you?
The best thing you could do is arrange a test drive with some of the members local to you, so you can see first hand the differences in the various models.

The insurance may be a problem but you may like a V6 exclusive

Toby_HDi · Unread post by **Toby_HDi** » 23 Oct 2010, 17:25

DickieG wrote:...they all appear to have a slight stutter on light throttle settings presumably due to the engine mapping from new.

Interesting.

When Mike borrowed mine while we did his heater matrix he said he had noticed something similar to this. I wonder what it is in the mapping that causes it.

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 23 Oct 2010, 18:01

Toby_HDi wrote:
DickieG wrote:...they all appear to have a slight stutter on light throttle settings presumably due to the engine mapping from new.
Interesting.

When Mike borrowed mine while we did his heater matrix he said he had noticed something similar to this. I wonder what it is in the mapping that causes it.

I'll second that, it's a trait... Most noticeable after tooling around in a V6 for a week and then going for a spin in the Activa.

Xaccers · Unread post by **Xaccers** » 23 Oct 2010, 18:09

Haven't noticed on Juliet, oh wait, you said light throttle

DickieG · Unread post by **DickieG** » 23 Oct 2010, 19:06

Xac wrote:Haven't noticed on Juliet, oh wait, you said light throttle

Instead of wearing your diving boots when driving try some nice soft carpet slippers

Unread post by **Dommo** » 23 Oct 2010, 19:11

CitroJim wrote:
Toby_HDi wrote:
DickieG wrote:...they all appear to have a slight stutter on light throttle settings presumably due to the engine mapping from new.
Interesting.

When Mike borrowed mine while we did his heater matrix he said he had noticed something similar to this. I wonder what it is in the mapping that causes it.
I'll second that, it's a trait... Most noticeable after tooling around in a V6 for a week and then going for a spin in the Activa.

And I'll third that, mine did it. Used to drive my dad mad!

andmcit · Unread post by **andmcit** » 23 Oct 2010, 19:23

I'm with the Xac school of thought in my driving approach but never noticed
stutter other than ONE Activa - a kind of miss as if there's a dirty plug
stopping delivery of the full welly on acceleration out of a corner etc.

The softest ride but a bit at sea body control and handling will be the more
common hydropneumatic. VSX and Xantia perhaps won't have the ultimate
speed bump absorbtion of the simpler suspension set up but in all other
respects eclipses anything German or Japanese which are totally unsuited to
our disintegrating UK road network.

As far as toys go, the Activae can be almost SX, ie more basic than the spec
found on VSX and Exclusives. The s2's have more toys in the Exclusive, but
in my experience more to go wrong - still haven't got past the engine
immobiliser on my Xant 24v v6 over a year after it locked me out.

Which reminds me, as has been said already, the ultimate sports Xantia
model is the "yes, it really is a fast car only it looks like a basic spec LX
= V6". No spoiler, just the one badge and a car that eats hot hatches
yet looks like a TD biffabout hack.

It's worth hanging out for one as they can't half go and their clever auto
adaptive gearbox suits the engine so well you'll get decent fuel consumption
too. Just try and find one first though...

Andrew

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 24 Oct 2010, 07:20

andmcit wrote: Which reminds me, as has been said already, the ultimate sports Xantia
model is the "yes, it really is a fast car only it looks like a basic spec LX
= V6". No spoiler, just the one badge and a car that eats hot hatches
yet looks like a TD biffabout hack.

It's worth hanging out for one as they can't half go and their clever auto
adaptive gearbox suits the engine so well you'll get decent fuel consumption
too. Just try and find one first though...

I'll agree to that

My V6 is my biffabout hack (or at least my old MK1 is)

V6s are not hard to find but finding a good one is a bit more tricky. No worries on the engine, they're bullet-proof, just about but the gearbox is a ticking time bomb. If the car has over 140,000 miles under its belt with no records of fluid changes or a gearbox rebuild, the clock is really ticking. A good bargaining point, as is the timing belt, which is expensive and "interesting" to replace. Strut tops and front struts are unique to the V6. The hydraulic pump is also unique to the V6 and can be eyewateringly expensive to replace..

Apart from that, they're the same as any other Xantia.

After the V6, I still love my Activa. The driving experience is unique and special. You feel the car should roll into a corner and then amazes you that it stays completely level

There are Activas and then there are Activas. When they are good, they are very, very good but when they're bad (as a lot are these days) then they're very, very bad...

Both models need to be experienced to be fully appreciated...

Xac wrote:Haven't noticed on Juliet, oh wait, you said light throttle

Surely "Xac" and "Light Throttle" are mutually exclusive terms

A bit like "Activa" and "Economy"...