Citroën Elysée
Chinese-market saloon derived from the Citroën ZX.
The Citroën Élysée is a small family saloon built for China by the Dongfeng Peugeot-Citroën joint venture. Production started in June 2002. The car was a heavy restyling of the earlier Citroën Fukang, which itself was a Chinese-market version of the Citroën ZX.
The four-door sedan launched in 2002 kept the old car’s layout but introduced a completely new front end. The headlights came from the second-series Peugeot 306, the grille and bumpers resembled those of the Saxo, and the rear lights were new. Inside, the dashboard was taken from the Xsara, giving a rounder, more modern look, and overall quality was improved. Engine choices were a 1.4-litre four-cylinder with 75 hp and a five-speed manual, and a 1.6-litre four-cylinder with either 88 or 105 hp, paired with a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic.
Soon after launch, the Élysée VIP appeared. It had a wheelbase extended by 16 cm, a body 4.50 metres long, and richer fittings: faux briar trim, leather seats, and exterior chrome. The VIP used only the 1.6-litre 16-valve engine with 105 hp and a four-speed automatic.
On April 8, 2008, an updated version called the C-Élysée debuted at the Beijing Motor Show. The “C” aligned the name with Citroën’s new naming scheme. The most visible change was the grille, which now matched the European Citroën style—especially the second-generation C5—with two large horizontal chrome bars carrying the emblem. Dongfeng technicians made 300 changes overall. The car sat below the C-Triomphe (based on the C4) and used a 1.6-litre 16-valve engine with 109 hp. Equipment included a modern ABS system, updated suspension, and an audio system with a USB socket. Transmissions were a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic. The dashboard stayed the same, but seats had better padding. The VIP version was also restyled. From 2009, a two-volume hatchback body was offered, replacing the old Fukang; its rear lights were more rounded at the corners and used modern plastic graphics.
In 2012, a final restyling changed only the front bumpers and rear light clusters. The overall line remained the 2008 design. The five-door and VIP models were discontinued, replaced by locally assembled Citroën C4 five-door and sedan versions. Production of this first-generation C-Élysée ended in early 2013, when the parent company launched a completely new second-generation car from a global project.
Quick Facts
- Aka
- Citroën C-Elysée (facelift)
- Manufacturer
- Citroën
- Production
- 2002–2013
- Assembly
- Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Engine
- 1.6 L N6A 10XA3A PSA I4 (petrol)
- Transmission
- 5-speed manual / 4-speed automatic
- Class
- Small family car (C)
- Layout
- FF layout
- Predecessor
- Citroën Fukang
- Successor
- Citroën C-Elysée / Citroën C4 hatchback (for hatchback)
- Length
- 4305 mm (2002–2007) / 4367 mm (2008–2013)
- Wheelbase
- 2540 mm
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Introduced in 2002 with a 4-door sedan body, the Élysée was a restyling of the Citroën Fukang produced at the Wuhan plant. It featured a new front with headlights inherited from the second-series Peugeot 306, a grille and bumpers similar to those of the Saxo, and new taillights. Inside, the dashboard came from the Xsara, with improved finish and quality. The engine range included a 1.4 four-cylinder 75 hp with 5-speed manual, and a 1.6 four-cylinder delivering 88 or 105 hp with either a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic gearbox.
Shortly after launch, the Élysée VIP was introduced with a wheelbase extended by 16 cm and a 4.50 m body, featuring faux briar finishes, leather seats, and external chrome. Its sole engine was the 1.6 16-valve 105 hp with a 4-speed automatic. In 2008, the updated C-Élysée debuted at the Beijing Motor Show, with 300 changes including a grille incorporating the emblem into two large chromed bars, new seats, and updated suspension. A hatchback two-volume body was offered from 2009. A final restyling in 2012 modified the front bumpers and rear lights; the 5-door and VIP models were discontinued. Production of the first generation ended in early 2013.
Reader's Guide
The Citroën Élysée and its successor C-Élysée served as a key model for the Dongfeng Peugeot-Citroën joint venture, bridging the gap between the older Fukang and more modern Citroën offerings in China. Its design, derived from the Citroën ZX but incorporating parts from the Xsara and Saxo, reflected a strategy of adapting existing platforms for local tastes. The VIP variant targeted a more luxurious segment with its extended wheelbase and upscale fittings. The 2008 restyling aligned the car visually with European Citroëns like the C5, while the 2012 update marked the end of the first generation. The platform and engine were also used by Dongfeng Motor for the Dongfeng Fengshen S30, extending the car's technical legacy beyond the Citroën brand.
Did You Know?
- The Élysée VIP had a wheelbase extended by 16 cm and a length of 4.50 meters.
- The 2008 C-Élysée incorporated the Citroën emblem into two large chromed bars on the grille.
- A VTS sport version was available only in red.
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