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The ECO 2000 Project Prototypes (SA 103, SA 117, SA 109, SL 10) were used to research fuel economy from 1981 to 1984.
The Citroën ECO 2000 was much more than just an exercise in styling. Developed from 1981 to 1984, it was used to research economical, low weight, low drag cars intended for the next millenium. Many of the lessons learned were applied to the forthcoming AX. ECO 2000 was part of a 50% French State-funded program to build a car capable of achieving 2 liters per 100 km fuel consumption.
Several different scale models were built and tested in a wind tunnel, resulting in a vehicle with a Cd factor 0,22. Three prototypes were built:- SA 103, SA 109, SA 117, and SL 10 - the definitive version.
SL 10 weighed 450kg and was powered by a three-cylinder 750 cc engine developed from Fiat’s Fire 1000, developing 35 bhp at 4 750 rpm. The first prototype (SA 103) employed a rear-mounted twin-cylinder engine, but subsequent versions were mounted at the front and front-wheel drive.
The suspension was hydropneumatic with electronically controlled, speed-sensitive ride height.
Top speed was 140 kph, and overall fuel consumption at 3,5 liters per 100 km missed the target. However, the car managed 2,1 liters per 100 km at 90 kph while covering the standing kilometer in 40 seconds.
Source: www.citroenet.org.uk
Images: CITROEN
Pictured above: The SL 10 Citroen mock-up for the ECO 2000 project.
Pictured above: The 1982 Citroen ECO 2000 (SA 103)
Pictured above: The 1983 Citroen ECO 2000 (SA 117)
Pictured above: The 1984 Citroen ECO 2000 (SL 10)
Pictured above: The 1984 Citroen ECO 2000 (SL 109)