Chevrolet Citation

1980 Citation 3-door

1980 Citation 5-door

In April 1979, the Citation was released as a 1980 model in two trim levels. Alongside the standard trim, a sporty X-11 version was produced.[1]

Priced under US$6,000, with hatchbacks in a much larger package than the Dodge Omni/Plymouth Horizon, demand proved very high for the Citation. Helped by an April release and yet another gasoline shortage during the same time, over 800,000 Citations were sold by Chevrolet for the model year. However, as the second gas crisis created demand for more fuel-efficient vehicles, GM was left with significant shortages of 4-cylinder engines, leaving some customers to wait several months to receive their vehicles. Before the fuel crisis, Chevrolet had anticipated 70% of customers purchasing the V6 engine option, leading to production lines unable to keep up with demand for four-cylinder models.

In an extended 1980 model year, Chevrolet would sell over 810,000 examples of the Citation; in addition to making for one of the most successful product launches in General Motors history, the Chevrolet Citation would become the best-selling car in the United States in 1980.[1]

For 1981, while the Citation saw no visible changes, the model line was pared down, with the two-door coupe discontinued (in response to slow sales).[2] The X-11 gained additional performance, as the model received a 135-hp high output version of its 2.8L V6.[2]

In 1981, the Chevrolet Citation gained its most direct competitor, as Chrysler introduced the Dodge Aries/Plymouth Reliant (the Chrysler K-Cars). While also produced in front-wheel drive, the K-Cars offered sedan and station wagon body styles unavailable from Chevrolet.

The Citation coupe body was unique to Chevy and not shared with another GM badge

For 1982, fuel injection was added to the 2.5L engine; to further increase fuel economy, low rolling resistance tires were added to all Citations (including the X-11).[7] As a running change during the year, the two-door notchback (coupe) made its return after being dropped for 1981.[7]

Chevrolet introduced two models for 1982 that would produce a significant effect on Citation sales. Phased in to replace the Malibu, the Chevrolet Celebrity was an A-Body vehicle. While sharing its wheelbase and powertrain with the Citation, the sedan and wagon bodies of the Celebrity were considered mid-size cars. Replacing the Monza, the Chevrolet Cavalier J-body subcompact further expanded the front-wheel drive product offering with its own coupe, hatchback, and station wagon competing closely against the Citation.

The Citation, Celebrity, and Cavalier were sold with Buick, Oldsmobile, and Pontiac counterparts (the latter was also sold as a Cadillac).

For 1983, few external changes were made to the Citation, while several revisions were made to the interior.[8] The dash underwent minor trim updates for the first time since 1980, with the front seats receiving adjustable head restraints.[8] The X-11 package returned to the two-door coupe (for the first time since 1980), while its HO V6 became an option on all Citations.[8]

Chevrolet Citation II

For 1984, the Citation was renamed the Citation II.[9] While undergoing almost no visible changes outside of badging, the rebranding was intended to draw attention away from previous recalls and quality issues.[6][9] All three body styles remained, along with the X-11.

For the first time, Citation sales increased over the previous year (though remaining under 100,000).[9]

For 1985, the Citation II saw several revisions in its final year of production. The two-door Citation II was discontinued for good, though the X-11 remained.[9] The dashboard underwent a redesign with a horizontally-mounted radio and a new steering wheel.[9] The 2.8L HO engine became fuel injected (reducing output to 130 hp).[9]

The last Citation rolled off the assembly line on June 21, 1985.

At its 1980 launch, the chassis of the Citation X-11 was upgraded with front and rear stabilizer bars and a retuned sport suspension, which were kept throughout its production. In place of steel wheels, the X-11 featured 13-inch rallye rims with Goodyear P205/70R-13 white-letter tires. In 1981, the 13-inch wheels were replaced with 14-inch wheels with Goodyear Eagle GT P215/60 R14 radial tires. To upgrade handling, for 1982, the steering rack was relocated from the firewall to the subframe holding the engine and front suspension. The design change was intended to prevent subframe movement from affecting steering behavior.

For 1980, the X-11 offered only handling upgrades over a Citation, with the powertrain consisting of a 90hp 2.5L inline-4 and a 115hp 2.8L V6.[2] Alongside the standard Citation, the X-11 was available with either a 4-speed overdrive manual transmission or a 3-speed automatic transmission (the only transmission available for 1985).

To aid acceleration, axle ratios of the X-11 were changed, alongside the transmission gearing. A taller first gear was intended to allow the X-11 to accelerate to 60 mph without shifting to third gear. For 1981, the X-11 was powered exclusively by a "high-output" version of the 2.8L V6; a higher-performance dual-tip exhaust system raised output to 135hp/165lb-ft of torque. As before, the X-11 maintained separate final-drive ratios.[2] In 1982, emissions regulations required a decrease in torque output, to 145 lb-ft (horsepower remained unchanged). This output remained the same through 1984. In 1985, the carbureted engine was replaced by a fuel-injected version of the 2.8L V6 with output decreased to 130hp/155lb-ft of torque. In slightly different tuning, the Citation X-11 shared its powertrain with the Chevrolet Celebrity Eurosport, Pontiac 6000STE, and Pontiac Fiero.

In 1980, the Citation X-11 shared most of its powertrain with the standard Citation, with the model being mostly a chassis and visual upgrade. Alongside the alloy wheels and tires, the X-11 featured a trunklid spoiler, sport mirrors, body skirting, and side striping. In 1981, to better distinguish the model from standard two-tone Citations, the side striping of the X-11 was replaced in favor of large "X-11" door graphic, which remained in use for the rest of its production. The model is best distinguished from a standard Citation by its use of a black grille (the only exterior chrome trim on a Citation II X-11 is the Chevrolet grille bowtie and trunklid badging). In 1981, a functional cowl-induction hood scoop was added. Under hard acceleration, a solenoid operated switch opened a flap that let in extra air.

While produced without the front bench seat seen in the launch of the Citation, the interior of the X-11 was most widely differentiated with the use of a sport steering wheel. The X-11 was produced with its own instrument panel, which featured a full set of engine gauges (6000 RPM tachometer for 1980, 7000 RPM tachometer for 1981–1985).

The SCCA classified the X-11 in Showroom Stock B class. Bob McConnell drove a 1981 X-11 to SSB National Championships in 1982 and 1984.