Chevrolet Citation (X-car). 1980–5 (prod. 1,642,587). 2-, 3- and 5-door sedan. F/F, 2474 cm³ (I4 OHV), 2836 cm³ (V6 OHV). Chevrolet takes the front-drive, transverse-engine principle into its downsized X-cars for 1980. Up-to-date and very successful in its first year, selling over 800,000 at Chevy alone. Roomy, and not a bad handler. But recalls began plaguing Citation from first model year, due to its rushed development and poor build quality. Brakes a weak point. V6 with higher state of tune from 1981 for X-11 models, which also had better handling than standard models. Fuel injection for 2·5 in 1982, but recalls continued, hurting sales. Citation II from 1984 to distance model from originals, but sales dipped to their lowest in 1985.

Manufacturing location: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA

Marque: Chevrolet | Predecessor: Chevrolet Nova (1975–9) | Successors: Chevrolet Corsica, Chevrolet Beretta

q.v. Chevrolet Celebrity, Pontiac Phoenix (1980–4), Oldsmobile Omega (1980–4), Buick Skylark (1980–5)