1990 Citroën ZX Rally Raid Prototype

The 1990 Citroën ZX Rally Raid Prototype was a prototype for Citroen’s highly successful rally car which went on to achieve 36 victories in 42 races and five consecutive wins in the World Cup for Cross Country Rallying. The Citroën Rallye Raid prototypes made their rallying debut at the Baja Aragon (20 - 21 July 1990) in Spain with Ari Vatanen/Bruno Berglund and Jacky Ickx/Christian Tarin, taking first and second places. The Vatanen/Berglund team came fourth in the Pharaohs' Rally (7-17 October 1990).

1990

The Citroën Rallye Raid prototypes made their rallying debut at the Baja Aragon (20 - 21 July 1990) in Spain with two teams - Ari Vatanen/Bruno Berglund and Jacky Ickx/Christian Tarin, taking first and second places. The Vatanen/Berglund team came fourth in the Pharaohs' Rally (7-17 October 1990).

1991

In its second cross-country rally season, the ZX Rallye Raid chalked up numerous victories - In the Paris - Tripoli - Dakar (29 December to 16 January 1991) rally, 9 000 km - 5,600 miles across Africa, the ZX Rallye Raid driven by Vatanen/Berglund finished first. Baja Aragon (19 - 20 July 1991) - third place for Vatanen. Pharaohs' Rally (6 - 16 October) -first, second and third places.

1992

At the start of the third season, Citroën competed in the Paris - Sirte - Le Cap rally (23 December 1991 - 16 January 1992) in which the team of Björn Waldegaard and Fred Gallagher finished fourth in a ZX Rallye Raid Voie Etroite. (narrow track) but somewhere around the mid point it was converted to wide track. All that was needed was different suspension arms, drive shafts, and front and rear bodywork -total job time about 30 minutes.. A much better result was achieved in the Tunisia rally (2 - 12 April 1992) with the first three places being taken by Pierre Lartigue/Michel Périn, Wambergue/Vantouroux and Jonsson/Gallagher. The Lartigue/Périn team notched up first place in the Paris - Moscow - Beijing rally (30 August - 27 September).

1993

Citroën and Mitsubishi battled it out for the first World Cup for Cross Country Rallying. Lartigue/Périn brought Citroën the Driver's and Constructor's title in their ZX Rallye Raid Evolution 2. Second and third places were won in the Paris - Dakar (1 - 16 Janmuary 1993) by the teams of Lartigue/Périn and Auriol/Picard.

In the Atlas Rally (19 - 28 May 1993) Timo Salonen/Fred Gallagher, Ambrosino/Guehennec and Lartigue/Périn took second, third and fourth places. Lartigue/Périn and Salonen/Gallagher took first and second place in the Baja 1000 in Portugal (2 - 3 July 1993). Lartigue/Périn and Salonen/Gallagher took first and third in Baja Aragon (21 - 25 July 1993). First and third places were secured in the Pharaoh's Rally (3 - 13 October 1993) by Salonen/Gallagher and Lartigue/Périn. Lartigue/Périn won the World Cup for Cross Country Rallying, Driver's Category and brought Citroën the Constructor's title with their victory in the Desert Challenge - United Arab Emirates (17 - 20 November 1993).

1994

The year was utterly dominated by Pierre Lartigue and Michel Périn who won all but one of their races. Two new versions of the ZX Rallye Raid were introduced during this season - the Evolution 3 and 4. Paris - Dakar - Paris (28 December 1993 - 16 January 1994) - Hubert Auriol came second to Lartigue/Périn.

Salonen/Gallagher came second after Lartigue/Périn in the Tunisia rally (7 - 17 April 1994). Auriol/Picard finished third, first place going to Lartigue/Périn in the Atlas Rally (20 - 29 May 1994). First place in the Baja Portugal (23 - 26 June 1994) was taken by Lartigue/Périn in the Evolution 4's debut. The Baja Aragon (21 - 24 July) saw Lartigue/Périn taking second place to Salonen/Gallagher. Lartigue/Périn took first place in the Baja Italy (4 - 7 August 1994). Lartigue/Périn won the Montée de l'Olympe (12 - 14 August 1994).

1995

For the third year running, Citroën won the World Cup for Cross Country Rallying, Constructor's category and Lartigue/Périn won the Drivers' category. Lartigue/Périn won the Granada - Dakar (27 December 1994 - 15 January 1995). Lartigue/Périn took first place, followed by Salonen/Gallagher and Vatanen/Pons in second and third in the Tunisia rally (6 - 16 April 1995). Lartigue/Périn were pushed into second place by Vatanen/Pons while Salonen/Gallagher took third in the Atlas Rally (20 - 28 May 1995). Vatanen/Pons again beat Lartigue/Périn in the Baja Portugal (22 - 25 June 1995). Lartigue/Périn took first place in the Baja Italy (7 - 8 July 1995). Lartigue/Périn won the Baja Aragon (21 - 23 July 1995) with Salonen/Gallagher coming second. Vatanen won the Montée de l'Olympe.

1996

For the fourth year running, Citroën won the World Cup for Cross Country Rallying, Constructor's category and Lartigue/Périn won the Drivers' category. The Evolution 5 was launched. Lartigue/Périn took first place in the Granada - Dakar (27 December 1995 - 14 January 1996) and Wambergue/Gallagher came second.

Lartigue/Périn took first place and Vatanen/Picard came second in the Tunisia rally (18 - 28 April 1996). The same result was achieved in the Baja Portugal (20 - 23 June 1996). The positions were reversed when Vatanen/Picard beat Lartigue/Périn in the Baja España (11 - 14 July 1996). Lartigue/Périn extracted their revenge in the Baja Italy (2 - 4 August 1996). In the Montée de l'Olympe (16 - 18 August 1996) Lartigue/Périn take first place for the second time. The Evolution 5 driven by Vatanen/Picard took first place, followed by Lartigue/Périn in second and Wambergue/Gallagher in third places in the 9 451 km/5,906 mile Master Rallye : Paris Ulan Bator (7 - 27 September 1996).

1997

In its seventh and final season, the ZX Rallye Raid won its fifth world title. Lartigue/Périn won the Baja Italy (28 February - 2 March 1997).

Lartigue/Périn followed by Vatanen/Gallagher took the first two places in the Tunisia rally (4 - 13 April 1997). Vatanen/Gallagher took first place and Lartigue/Périn took second in the Atlas Rally (8 - 18 May 1997). Vatanen/Gallagher had their second win of the season in an Evolution 4 in the Baja Portugal (19 - 22 June 1997). Lartigue/Périn won the Baja Aragon (10 - 13 July 1997) ahead of Vatanen/Gallagher. In the Master Rallye : Paris - Samarkand - Moscow (22 August - 7 September 1997) Vatanen/Gallagher took first, Lartigue/Périn second and Wambergue/Picard third in this 8 948 km/5,592 mile race. Vatanen/Gallagher won the UAE Desert Challenge bringing Citroën the Drivers' and Constructor's World Cups for Cross Country Rallying for the fifth time.

The ZX Rallye Raid has been replaced by the Saxo and Xsara Kit Cars .

Engine

• Four cylinders in line, mounted transversely in the middle rear of the car, inclined 20 degrees towards the rear.

• Type XU 15

• Capacity 2 499cm3

• Bore and stroke 93 x 92mm

• Compression ratio - 6.7:1

• Maximum power 300 bhp DIN @ 4500 rpm (227 kW)

• Evolution version produced 330 bhp @ 4500 rpm (250 kW)

• Maximum torque 59mkg @ 3500 rpm

• Maximum engine speed @ 7300 rpm

• Power output 132 bhp per litre

• Garett turbocharger with separate discharge valve

• Dry cartidge air filter

• Single length inlet manifold

• Magneti-Marelli electronic ignition

• Fuel supply using a mechanical pump plus high pressure electric priming pump

• 1 central fuel tank plus 2 additional tanks. Total capacity 480l

Transmission

• Four wheel drive

• Two plate dry clutch with hydraulically controlled diaphragm mechanism

• Manual gearbox located transversely on end of engine.

• Seven forward dog gears controlled by floor mounted lever

• Front and rear axles employing self locking differentials with central Ferguson type limited slip differential

Suspension

• Mechanical, all independent. Front and rear anti roll bars

• Front - two spring shock absorber units mounted on the upper arm

• Rear - two spring shock absorber units and one shock absorber linked with upper wishbone via tie-bar and rocker arm

Steering

• Rack and pinion, open centre hydraulic assistance, 2,5 turns lock to lock.

Brakes

• Two separate front and rear circuits with front/rear balance controlled from within the cockpit

• Four piston calipers, AP self ventilating discs, front diameter 355mm, rear diameter 315mm

• On the Evolution cars, rear discs were increased to 355mm

Dimensions

• Length: 4690mm

• Width: 2018mm

• Height: 1810mm

• Wheelbase: 2996mm

• Ground clearance: 350mm

• Weight: 1450kg

Tires

• Front: Michelin 18/80 x 18 on Speedline 18 inch ventilated wheels

• Rear: Michelin 21/80 x 16 on Speedline 16 inch ventilated wheels

• On the Evolution, all four wheels were 18 inch

Bodywork

• Two door coupé made of Kevlar and carbon

Maximum speed

• 205 kph

Source: carsthatnevermadeitetc; http://www.citroenet.org.uk/sport/sport-90.html