In 1987 Dan Abramson working for Bertone drew the first sketches of the X1, the car that would become the Citroën Xantia.

The Xantia replaced the popular mid range BX series, designed by Marcello Gandini at Bertone that was in production from 1982 to 1994.

The most innovative feature of the stylish Xantia was the Citroën DS derived “Hydractive” suspension first seen on the Citroën XM.

Hydractive suspension computer-controlled version of Citroën’s famous hydropneumatic self-leveling suspension that now includes a programmed self-steer rear axle to enhance the cars responsiveness and driving pleasure.

Sold with a wide range of engine options, mostly 4 cylinder, the Xantia range was topped by a 3 litre / 183 cui V6.

Xantia’s were manufactured from 1993 to 2001 at Citroën’s factory in Rennes factory in Brittany, France with additional units being built in Iran’s capital Tehran.

With a name derived from the Greek Xanthos meaning light it seems highly appropriate, however coincidentally, that Bristol artist Patrick Joyce should use his 1996 Xantia, seen in these photographs on The Plinth in the centre of Bristol Bear Pit, to shed light on the Motor Nuerone Disease he was diagnosed with in 2008.

The statement for this work reads “… A life long lover of cars, he (Patrick) designed this piece for a Rally around the coast of Ireland – his last serious driving trip before the progression of the condition meant he had to hang up his crochet backed driving gloves. The markings on the car are all riffs on existing Rally Car branding altered to reference the challenge of his (MND) condition…”

You can follow Patrick’s MND awareness activities on his Patrick The Incurable Optimist website linked here.

Thanks for joining me on this “Patrick Joyce Rally Car” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I’ll be looking at a Chrysler. Don’t forget to come back now !