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The Oltcit Company, outcome of the agreement between the
competent organizations of the Rumanian State and Citroën, introduced
(at Bucarest International Fair, in October 1981) a new car designed by
Citroën and built by Oltcit in its Craiova Works; it is intended to be
first marketed in Rumania and in the Comecon countries.
It is a very rigid front-wheel drive, 3-door, 5-seater
monocoque saloon, of which two engine versions, each in one or two
finishes, are available: Oltcit Special, with the Visa Special
air-cooled twin-cylinder 652-cc integral electronic ignition engine;
the other, the Oltcit Club, with the GSA’s air-cooled 4-cylinder
1129-cc engine.
Single disc diaphragm dry clutch. GS-type gearbox (with
4 synchromesh forward speeds and reverse) mounted longitudinally behind
the engine. Transmission is by constant-speed joints (tripod on the
gearbox side, Rzeppa on the wheel side).
Four-wheel braking by disc brakes, ventilated at the
rear, hydraulically controlled by a dual circuit with a load-related
braking limiter on the rear wheel.
The suspension is adapted to running conditions in
Rumania. Four independent wheels, with a transverse parallelogram at
the front, with longitudinal torsion bars and flexion blade. The rear
axle comprises arms under tension and transverse torsion bars.
Telescopic hydraulic shockabsorbers are fitted at front and rear, with
clearance buffers for both up and down movements.
Certain features, such as the third door and the rear
seat, which can fold down forwards, make these models highly versatile
general purpose vehicles.
The windscreen is of laminated glass.
Shielding plates are fitted under the engine, the petrol
tank and the front suspension blade.
The control panel’s design springs from the same
approach that inspired those of the GSA and the Visa: it uses the
“satellites” so prized by the Citroën Styling Section, but here in a
horizontal version. These group most of the controls within
finger-reach of the driver’s hands on the wheel.
Production is to start gradually during this year at
Oltcit’s new Craiova
works. With a roofed-in area of 3,767,000 sq. ft.
it includes several areas: pressing, assembly, fitting, paintwork,
final assembly shops and an engineering shop for the manufacture of
engines and axles.
In due course, this industrial complex will be able to
produce 130,000 vehicles a year. Part of its production will concern
vehicles derived from the Rumanian type. Citroën will then undertake
marketing of these in Western Europe and overseas.
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