Citroen GS A 1.3 (65 Hp)
Overall Rating
Citroen GS:
The Citroën GS is a small family car manufactured and marketed by Citroën from 1970 to 1986 across two series. From 1970 to 1979 it was built as a fastback four-door saloon car and as a five-door estate car. A revised version, the GSA, was produced from late 1979 until 1986 in five-door hatchback or estate body styles – the latter after a facelift. Combined production reached approximately 2. 5 million. It has a front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout and has seating for five passengers.
Noted for its aerodynamic body shape with a drag coefficient of 0. 318, fully independent hydro-pneumatic brakes and self-levelling suspension, and air-cooled flat-four engine, the GS was styled by Robert Opron, with a low nose, a two-box silhouette, semi-enclosed rear wheels and a sharply vertical Kamm-tail....(Read more on Wikipedia)
A Overview:
Citroen GS (A). With 94 Nm of torque, it offers ample pulling power. Weighing only 920 kg, it’s quite light. Front‑wheel drive delivers efficiency and easy handling. The top speed reaches 160 km/h. A compact car with a rear door that swings upward to provide access to the cargo area. Seating for 5 makes it ideal for daily use.
The Citroen GS A was produced before modern safety standards and Euro NCAP testing. Its safety features reflect the technology and regulations of the late 1970s and early 1980s, lacking advanced passive or active safety systems.
1.3 (65 Hp) Verdict:
Performance Verdict
The 1.3-liter boxer engine provides sufficient power for daily commuting and relaxed cruising, prioritizing smoothness and economy over outright speed. Its 65 Hp is modest but suitable for the car's character.
Fuel Economy
While specific figures are not provided, the 1.3L engine was designed for reasonable fuel efficiency for its time, making it an economical choice for family transport in the late 70s and early 80s.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- • Exceptional ride comfort due to hydro-pneumatic suspension
- • Spacious and practical hatchback body style
- • Distinctive and aerodynamic design
- • Good visibility from the cabin
- • Unique boxer engine configuration
Cons:
- • Modest engine performance (65 Hp)
- • Potential complexity and cost of hydro-pneumatic suspension maintenance
- • Susceptible to rust, common for vehicles of this era
- • Lack of modern safety features
- • Interior plastics can feel dated and fragile
Specifications:
Specifications are compared to those of the previous generation(Break: 1977 - 1979).
| General: | |
|---|---|
| Brand: | Citroen |
| Model: | GS |
| Generation: | A |
| Modification (Engine): | 1.3 (65 Hp) |
| Start of production: | 1979 |
| End of production: | 1986 |
| Powertrain Architecture: | Internal Combustion engine |
| Body type: | Hatchback |
| Seats: | 5 |
| Doors: | 5 |
| Engine: | |
|---|---|
| Power: | 65 Hp @ 5500 rpm. Same horsepower |
| Power per litre: | 50 Hp/l [61mm more] |
| Torque: | 94 Nm @ 3500 rpm. |
| Engine Model/Code: | G13/646 More details about the engine G13/646 |
| Engine displacement: | 1299 |
| Number of cylinders: | 4 |
| Engine configuration: | Boxer |
| Fuel injection system: | Carburettor |
| Engine aspiration: | Naturally aspirated engine |
| Engine oil capacity: | 4 l |
| Cylinder Bore: | 79.4 mm mm |
| Piston Stroke: | 65.6 mm mm |
| Compression ratio: | 8.7:1 |
| Maximum engine speed: | 6500 rpm. |
| Performance: | |
|---|---|
| Fuel Type: | Petrol (Gasoline) |
| Maximum speed: | 160 km/h |
| Weight-to-power ratio: | 14.2 kg/Hp, 70.7 Hp/tonne |
| Weight-to-torque ratio: | 9.8 kg/Nm, 102.2 Nm/tonne |
| Space: | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight: | 920 |
| Max. weight: | 1365 |
| Max load: | 445 |
| Trunk (boot) space - maximum: | 1400 l |
| Trunk (boot) space - minimum: | 435 l |
| Fuel tank capacity: | 43 l |
| Size: | |
|---|---|
| Length: | 4181 mm mm [61mm more] |
| Width: | 1626 mm mm [18mm more] |
| Height: | 1349 mm mm [Same height.] |
| Wheelbase: | 2550 mm mm [Same wheelbase.] |
| Front track: | 1378 mm |
| Rear (Back) track: | 1328 mm |
| Front overhang: | 845 mm |
| Rear overhang: | 786 mm |
| Ride height (ground clearance): | 154 mm |
| Minimum turning circle (turning diameter): | 10.4 m [above average] |
| Powertrain: | |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain Architecture | The Internal combustion engine (ICE) drives the front wheels of the vehicle. |
| Drive wheel | Front wheel drive |
| Number of gears | 5 |
| Transmission type | Manual |
| Front brakes | Disc [above average] |
| Rear brakes | Disc [above average] |
| Steering type | Steering rack and pinion |
| Wheel rims size | 4.5J x 15 |
| Front suspension | Hydro-pneumatic element, Double wishbone |
| Rear suspension | Hydro-pneumatic element, Trailing arm |












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