Page 22 - link magazine

22 ON THE ROAD
The new Citroen Xantia
FliGHT SHOP Hot from the press launch, Peter Swinyard gives his impressions

4 of the Gallic contribution to the mid-size car war
Many Citroen dealers will have even my long legs and awkward BX and is well equipped, with power
Bring your flight mixed feelings about the replace- back were comfortable. steering, central locking and a de-
quote to anywhere mentof the Citroen BX with the new I found the driving position a lit- cent stereo (with remote control
Xantia range which I sampled re- tle strange, with the steering wheel from the steering wheel - a safety
in the world to us cently on the empty rural roads of a stretch away and a lack of shoul- boost). The engine is thatoftheZX
and we'll beat it!! Leicestershire. After all, it was the der support in the otherwise com- Furio,a torquey motor which copes
Insurance & car hire also arranged BX which remade Citroen's fortunes fortable seats. manfully with the weight of the
in the UK and buried at last the At launch, there are three engines quality-built Xantia. The suspension
IMAGINATION AIR TRAVEL
reputation for cars which are hard available - the 1.8 and 2.0 litre 8- is flowing and the handling excel-
CONSULTANTS to maintain. valve and 2-litre 16-valve models in lent with wonderful ride quality.
3 Lower Arcade, Brunel Centre, Swindon
The new Xantia is a mainstream VXor top VSX trim. Later will come I then changed to the 2.0 VSX,
TEL 421888 competitor for the likes of the new 1.6 petrol, 1.9 diesel and 1.9 turbo- which has the Hydra ctivell suspen-
Open 9am - 730pm Mon - Sat Ford Mondeo, Nissan Primera and diesel. sion which Citroen modestly claim
X Diners Club, Switch Peugeot 405. It is amazingly roomy There will be two lower trim lev- as the world's best! This stiffens
inside, especially in the rear where els, base and LX. when you are pressing on to give
sportier handling while being soft
on the motorway. I was less con-
vinced by this, finding the ride jiggly
CARTER, READ & DOVE over the country roads with no cor-
responding increase in feeling of se-
SOLICITORS curity.
The 2.0 16V model was a noble
range-topper,witha splendid power
Contact us for all your legal needs band. It never felt really fast as you
might expect from 155bhpbutcould
including certainly shift.
house sale & purchases, I feel, however, that Citroen are
saving the best for last. I think that
family matters, personal injury claims the Turbodiesel, due in July, will be
the pick of the crop. Pricing will
and employment law mirrorthatof the Ford Mondeo-but
the base diesel is the same price as
Commerce House, 34/35 Commercial Road, Swindon the base 1.6i. That has to be a bar-
Tel: (0793) 617617 The first car I drove was the 1.8 gain. My choice? The £12,795 1.9TD
VX. This has the standard hydro- LX - or the petrol 2.Oi LX at the same
pneumatic suspension similarto the price.

West Swindon Family
and Cimmunity Priject
Annual General Meeting
Tuesday 29 June, 12.30pm
at 'The House', 15 Gainsborough Way, Freshbrook
Need a car? Afraid of being Buffet available after the Meeting

ripped off by shady dealers or Gina Dennis invites West Swindon people to become more closely involved
West Swindon Family and Com- you to vote at our ACM.
sold a'pup' by a private seller?
munity Project's ACM is open to Perhaps you might like to con-
anyone who is interested in our sider standing for election to our
We offer:
work, particularly those who live in Management Committee. If you live
home visits to discuss what car will best suit YOU or work in West Swindon. We aim or work in West Swindon you can
to respond to the needs of the local stand as an individual member. Or,
cars bought to order - you name the car, we find it community and, as part of this aim, if you are part of a group or volun-
hope to welcome old friends and tary organisation operating in West
your car taken in part exchange
new faces alike. Swindon who would like to make
your new car will have a full year's MOT (if over This last year has been a particu- stronger links with the Project, you
3 years old) larly challenging one for the Project, could become a Group Representa-
seeing a move from being part of a tive.
parts/labour warranty up to 24 months available major national charity, NCH, to be- At the ACM we will be looking
ingrunbya local ManagementCom- for two Group Representatives and
competitive prices
mittee made up primarily of Project two individual members.
* quick, personal and expert service participants. At our ACM you will For further information on the
have the opportunityto meet our West Swindon Family and Com-
new Family Centre, Co-ordinator, munity Project, membership forms
For further information, contact: Mark Thomas, who will be joining or more details of what it means to
Peter Swinyard on 870060 the Project on 1 July. join our Management Committee,
You can show your support for please drop in to see us at 15
Chris Holden on 790578 our work by becoming a member of Gainsborough Way, Freshbrook or
the Project, which is free and entitles phone us on 871303.