View source for Chevrolet Citation

{{Distinguish|Edsel Citation}}{{Infobox automobile
| name = Chevrolet Citation
| image = 1980 Chevrolet Citation fr.jpg
| caption = 1980 Chevrolet Citation 3-door
| manufacturer = [[Chevrolet]] ([[General Motors]])
| production = 1979–1985
| model_years = 1980–1985
| assembly = United States: [[Sleepy Hollow, New York|North Tarrytown, New York]] ([[North Tarrytown Assembly]])<br /> [[Oklahoma City, Oklahoma]] ([[Oklahoma City Assembly]]) <br /> [[Ypsilanti]], [[Michigan]] ([[Willow Run Assembly]]) <br />
Mexico: [[Ramos Arizpe]] ([[Ramos Arizpe Assembly]])
| predecessor = [[Chevrolet Nova]]
| successor = [[Chevrolet Corsica]]<br />[[Chevrolet Beretta]]
| class = [[Compact car|Compact]]
| body_style = 2-door [[notchback]]<br />3-door [[hatchback]]<br />5-door [[hatchback]]
| layout = [[Front-engine, front-wheel-drive layout|Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive]]
| platform = [[GM X platform (1980)|X-body]]
| engine = 2.5 L [[GM Iron Duke engine|Iron Duke]] [[Straight-4|I4]]<br />2.8 L [[GM 60-Degree V6 engine#LE2|LE2]] [[V6 engine|V6]]<br />2.8 L [[GM 60-Degree V6 engine#LH7|LH7]] [[V6 High Output engine|HO V6]]<br />2.8 L [[GM 60-Degree V6 engine#LB6|LB6]] [[V6 MPFI engine|MPFI V6]]
| transmission = 3-speed [[Turbo-Hydramatic 125|TH-125]] [[automatic transmission|automatic]]<br />4-speed [[manual transmission|manual]]
| wheelbase = {{Convert|104.9|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}
| length = {{Convert|176.7|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}
| width = {{Convert|68.3|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}
| height = {{Convert|53.9|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}
| weight = 
| related = [[Buick Skylark#Fourth generation (1980–1985)|Buick Skylark]]<br />[[Pontiac Phoenix#Second generation (1980–1984)|Pontiac Phoenix]]<br />[[Oldsmobile Omega#Third generation (1980–1984)|Oldsmobile Omega]]
| designer = [[Irv Rybicki]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=85 Years of GM Design: the timeline |url=https://www.carbodydesign.com/2012/06/gm-design-the-timeline/14/ |access-date=2024-05-01 |website=Car Body Design}}</ref>
| sp = us
}}{{Short description|Compact car manufactured by Chevrolet}}
The '''Chevrolet Citation''' is a range of [[Compact car|compact cars]] that was produced by [[Chevrolet]] from the 1980 to 1985 model years.<ref name=":72">{{Cite web |title=The Oklahoman |url=https://www.oklahoman.com/restricted/?return=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.oklahoman.com%2Fstory%2Fnews%2F2023%2F03%2F05%2Fchevy-citation-1st-gm-car-built-okc-resurfaces%2F69921914007%2F |url-access=subscription |access-date=2023-04-08 |website=[[The Oklahoman]] |quote=The Chevrolet Citation was produced at the Oklahoma City General Motors plant from its opening in 1979 until the model was discontinued in 1985.}}</ref> The first [[front-wheel drive]] Chevrolet, the Citation replaced the [[Chevrolet Chevy II / Nova|Chevrolet Nova]] as the automaker [[Downsize (automobile)|downsized]] its compact cars. Initially slotted between the [[Chevrolet Monza]] and the [[Chevrolet Malibu]] in the Chevrolet product line, the model line was later marketed between the [[Chevrolet Cavalier]] and the [[Chevrolet Celebrity]].

The Citation used the [[General Motors X platform (FWD)|GM X platform]] architecture used for its compact car range. For 1980, the X bodies were resized to match the previous downsizing of GM full-size and mid-size cars, along with transitioning to front-wheel drive. Sharing a common chassis architecture with the redesigned [[Buick Skylark]], [[Oldsmobile Omega]], and [[Pontiac Phoenix]], the Citation was offered three body styles, including three-door and five-door hatchback coupes (the latter, shared with the Phoenix). While all four model lines received a two-door notchback coupe, the Citation was styled with a model-exclusive roofline.<ref name="how stuff works" /> Alongside a standard trim level, the Citation X-11 was offered as a performance-oriented variant.

Chevrolet assembled the model line in the United States and Mexico in its [[North Tarrytown Assembly]] ([[Sleepy Hollow, New York|North Tarrytown, New York]]), [[Oklahoma City Assembly]] ([[Oklahoma City|Oklahoma City, Oklahoma]]), and [[Ramos Arizpe Assembly]] ([[Ramos Arizpe|Ramos Arizpe, Mexico]]) facilities. Following its 1985 discontinuation,<ref name=":72" /> the Citation was replaced for 1987 by the [[Chevrolet Beretta]] coupe and [[Chevrolet Corsica]] sedan/hatchback. In total, Chevrolet manufactured 1,642,587 examples of the model line during its production run.<ref name="how stuff works">{{cite web |date=14 June 2007 |title=Chevrolet Citation |url=https://auto.howstuffworks.com/chevrolet-citation2.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923094031/https://auto.howstuffworks.com/chevrolet-citation2.htm |archive-date=2020-09-23 |access-date=2010-01-23 |website=HowStuffWorks}}</ref>

== Development ==
To better compete in the compact segment following the [[1973 oil crisis|1973 fuel crisis]], General Motors commenced work in April 1974 on a replacement for its [[GM X platform (1962)|X-body]] compact lines, a model family that included the Chevrolet Nova and its divisional counterparts. As the 1970s progressed, the popularity of import-brand vehicles (such as the [[Honda Accord#First generation (1976)|Honda Accord]] and the [[Volkswagen Golf Mk1|Volkswagen Rabbit]]) led to declining market share held by American manufacturers in the compact segment. Though downsizing of the full-size B and C-body platforms and the A-body mid-size lines was crucial to the future of the company, the two redesigns placed GM model hierarchy out of alignment; though officially a compact, the X-body Nova became dimensionally larger than the Malibu (a year after becoming closer in size to the Caprice than the Chevette).

To realign the X-body platform in size between the A-body and the H-body subcompacts, GM commenced a redesign of its compact lines in 1974.<ref name=":02">{{Cite web |last=Lewis |first=Corey |date=2021-09-07 |title=Rare Rides: The Chevrolet Citation Story, Part I |url=https://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2021/09/rare-rides-the-chevrolet-citation-story-part-i/ |access-date=2024-10-27 |website=[[The Truth About Cars]]}}</ref> Intended for a 1978 introduction, the Chevrolet Condor was to be introduced as the replacement for the outgoing Chevrolet Nova.<ref name=":02" /> Along with a major reduction in exterior footprint (sized between the Vega and Monza in length), the X-body platform was adopting the transverse front-wheel drive layout used by its competitors. Though GM had pioneered the use of front-wheel drive in postwar American vehicles (with the 1966 [[Oldsmobile Toronado]]), its experience with the layout was limited to longitudinal powertrains (large-block V8s for the Toronado, [[Cadillac Eldorado#Ninth generation (1971–1978)|Cadillac Eldorado]], and [[GMC motorhome|GMC Motorhome]]). To gain insight towards front-wheel drive vehicles powered by inline-4 engines, the company acquired multiple [[Lancia Beta|Lancia]] vehicles for testing and [[reverse engineering]].<ref name=":22">{{Cite web |date=2019-05-21 |title=GM's X-Cars: Anatomy of a Miserable Failure |url=https://www.motortrend.com/news/gm-x-cars-chevrolet-citation-oldsmobile-buick-pontiac-photos-history |access-date=2020-02-07 |website=[[Motor Trend]]}}</ref><ref name=":02" /> During the summer of 1976, the first X-body prototypes entered testing.<ref name=":22" />

As chassis design for the front-wheel drive X-body evolved, design work was delegated between divisions. Chevrolet was responsible for the front suspension design, with Pontiac to develop the rear suspension.<ref name=":22" /> The 2.5L inline-4 was a Pontiac-designed engine along with a 2.8L Chevrolet-developed V6.<ref name="how stuff works" /> Though far smaller than its predecessor, the new X-body remained among the largest designs in its segment, using a 105-inch wheelbase. In contrast to the fastback coupe and hatchback and the four-door sedan of the previous generation, the downsized platform was to offer multiple designs specific to each division. For Chevrolet, the Condor was to be offered as a two-door coupe and three-door and five-door hatchbacks.

While the Chevrolet Condor was originally intended for a 1978 model-year release (to compete against the [[Ford Fairmont]] and the smaller [[Dodge Omni|Dodge Omni/Plymouth Horizon]]), its launch was postponed into early 1979.<ref name="how stuff works" /><ref name=":22" /> Though design work was completed, company parts supplies and tooling were not yet ready to match the production of a vehicle replacing the Chevrolet Nova. During the delay, Chevrolet dropped the Condor nameplate in favor of Citation.<ref name=":22" />

==History ==
Released in April 1979 as a 1980 model-year vehicle,<ref name="how stuff works" /> the Chevrolet Citation replaced the Chevrolet Nova as the compact car line for the division; it also became the first Chevrolet to feature front-wheel drive. Downsized nearly as extensively as the Caprice/Impala and the Malibu, the Citation shed 20 inches of length, 4 inches of width, and 800 pounds from its 1979 Nova predecessor (making it only an inch longer than the final Chevrolet Vega). The interior design underwent substantial dimensional upgrades, rivaling the Malibu in passenger space and the Impala/Caprice in trunk space.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Remembering the Chevy Citation |url=https://www.dancummins.com/remembering-chevy-citation/ |access-date=2020-02-07 |website=Dan Cummins Auto Group}}</ref>

=== 1980 ===
[[File:Chevrolet_Citation.jpg|left|thumb|1980 Citation 5-door]]
[[File:Chevrolet Citation 3 Door.jpg|left|thumb|1980 Citation 3-door]]
The 1980 Chevrolet Citation was released in three body styles, including a two-door coupe and three-door and five-door hatchbacks (the first two designs were offered only for the Citation and not shared with any other X-body car). Alongside the standard trim, a sporty X-11 version was produced. At $4,800, the base price of the Citation was more expensive than a fully equipped 1979 Nova.<ref name="how stuff works" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2007-07-17 |title=Chevrolet Nova |url=https://auto.howstuffworks.com/chevrolet-nova.htm#pt18 |access-date=2024-10-28 |website=HowStuffWorks}}</ref>

Though closer in size to the Honda Accord than the [[Dodge Omni|Dodge Omni/Plymouth Horizon]], the three-door and five-door hatchbacks proved popular, accounting for nearly 85% of sales. The high demand for the model line, coinciding with a [[1979 oil crisis|second fuel crisis]], left GM with significant shortages of the standard 2.5L engine, with some customers waiting several months to receive their vehicles. Before the release of the model line, Chevrolet had anticipated 70% of Citation customers would purchase the optional 2.8L V6, leading its production lines backlogged under the high demand for the inline-4 engine.

Coinciding with its early-spring launch and the timing of its release (a fuel-efficient design during a fuel shortage), the 1980 Citation became one of the most successful product launches in General Motors history; over 810,000 examples were sold, with the Citation becoming the best-selling car in the United States for 1980.<ref name="how stuff works" />

=== 1981 ===
For 1981, the Citation saw few visual changes, following its success the year before. The eggcrate-style grille was revised and amber lenses were added for the rear turn signals.<ref name="how stuff works" /><ref>{{Cite AV media |title=1981-Chevrolet-Citation-Brochure |url=https://oldcarbrochures.org/United%20States/Chevrolet/1981-Chevrolet/1981-Chevrolet-Citation-Brochure/slides/1981_Chevrolet_Citation-03.html |type=Image |publisher=The Old Car Manual Project Brochures Collection}}</ref> The two-door coupe was dropped from the model line, with all Citations produced as hatchbacks. The X-11 (see below) saw several performance upgrades, including the addition of a 135hp "high-output" 2.8L V6.<ref name="how stuff works" />

Sales of the model line dropped by nearly 50%. Coinciding with approximately six months shorter of a model year, 1981 saw the introduction of additional competitors for the Citation, as Chrysler introduced the [[Plymouth Reliant|Dodge Aries/Plymouth Reliant]] (the [[Chrysler K platform|Chrysler K-Cars]]); along with more traditional styling for buyers, the Aries/Reliant included notchback sedan and station wagon models unavailable for the Citation.

=== 1982 ===
[[File:Chevrolet_Citation_Coupe.jpg|left|thumb|1982 Chevrolet Citation 2-door coupe]]
For 1982, the Citation underwent a minor exterior revision, as the eggcrate grille was replaced with a horizontally slatted grille design (taking on the design of the Malibu). After sitting out for 1981, the two-door coupe made its return as a running change during the model year.<ref name="how stuff works" />

To improve fuel economy, the 2.5L engine moved to fuel injection; the entire production (including the X-11) was switched to low rolling-resistance tires.<ref name="how stuff works" />

Sales of the model year decreased over 60% from 1981, coinciding from several factors. In addition to negative publicity stemming from large safety recalls of the model line, the Citation faced a much greater degree of internal competition as Chevrolet introduced additional front-wheel drive lines. For 1982, the [[Chevrolet Cavalier]] (J-car, subcompact) replaced the Monza/Vega, offering coupe, hatchback, sedan, and station wagon designs. The [[Chevrolet Celebrity]] (A-car, mid-size) replaced the Malibu, offering 2/4-door sedans, and a 5-door station wagon; the front-wheel drive Celebrity shared its chassis underpinnings (including its wheelbase) with the Citation. Several competing import vehicles underwent design changes, as the Honda Accord underwent its first redesign and the [[Toyota Camry (V10)|Toyota Camry]] was introduced (featuring an optional 5-door hatchback<ref name="Curbside Classic: 1986 Toyota Camry3">{{cite web |last=Niedermeyer |first=Paul |date=16 April 2010 |title=Curbside Classic: 1986 Toyota Camry |url=http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2010/04/curbside-classic-1986-toyota-camry/ |access-date=15 January 2014 |publisher=[[The Truth About Cars]]}}</ref>).<ref name="75 Years of Toyota, part 2, chapter 2, section 4, item 53">{{cite web |year=2012 |title=Item 5. Development of Front-Wheel Drive Vehicles |url=http://www.toyota-global.com/company/history_of_toyota/75years/text/entering_the_automotive_business/chapter2/section4/item5.html |access-date=15 January 2014 |publisher=[[Toyota Motor Corporation]]}}</ref>

=== 1983 ===
For 1983, Chevrolet concentrated its revisions on the interior, with a nearly unchanged exterior. To provide less competition for the larger Celebrity and bring the Citation in line with its import-brand competitors, the full-width bench seat was deleted, with all versions receiving bucket seats in their place. In addition, the dashboard underwent minor updates.<ref name="how stuff works" />

The 1983 Citation struggled in sales, selling only 92,000 units.

=== Citation II (1984-1985) ===
[[File:Chevrolet Citation II front.jpg|thumb|Chevrolet Citation II]]
[[File:Chevrolet Citation II rear.jpg|thumb|Chevrolet Citation II, rear]]
For 1984, Chevrolet rebranded its Citation line, renaming it the Citation II.<ref name="how stuff works" /> Intended to draw attention away from previous safety recalls and quality issues,<ref name="how stuff works" /><ref name=":33">{{Cite web |title=Citation - Model Information |url=https://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/series.aspx?modelID=3441 |access-date=2020-02-07 |website=Conceptcarz}}</ref> the Citation II was only nominally changed from 1983 (distinguished by decklid badging revisions). The two-door coupe was carried over, along with both hatchbacks; the X-11 made its return.

For the first time in its production, the model line gained sales over the previous year;<ref name="how stuff works" /> at less than 100,000 units, the Citation II lagged far behind the Cavalier and Celebrity in sales.

1985 marked the final year for the Citation. Now only sold with the Buick Skylark, Chevrolet dropped the Citation II coupe, leaving only the hatchbacks. While in its final year, the interior underwent its most substantial revision since 1980, as Chevrolet introduced a new dashboard for the Citation. Along with a new steering wheel, the dashboard accommodated a horizontally mounted radio (a change necessitated by GM's adoption of standardized head units with electronic tuning in nearly all of its vehicles).<ref name="how stuff works" />{{Clear}}

== Discontinuation ==
After 1.6 million units assembled of the model line, Chevrolet discontinued the Citation after the 1985 model year. The year before, GM began to wind down its use of the X platform, as it dropped the Oldsmobile Omega and Pontiac Phoenix (the slowest-selling variants), leaving only the Citation II and the Buick Skylark for 1985. After 23 years and five generations, GM retired the X platform entirely for its compact cars after 1985.

GM would not offer a direct replacement for the X platform, as its compact models were split among two different platforms phased in between 1985 and 1988.  Buick, Oldsmobile, and Pontiac used the split-wheelbase [[General Motors N platform|N platform]] (designed by Oldsmobile); the Chevrolet-designed [[General Motors L platform|L platform]] replaced the Citation with the Corsica and Beretta. Though designed separately, L-body and N-body cars shared engineering commonality with the smaller J-body chassis.

Though the 1980 launch of the Citation has not been replicated again (in terms of sales), the replacement compact cars proved successful in the marketplace, as the [[Pontiac Grand Am]] became the best-selling vehicle of the brand, with the Chevrolet Corsica/Beretta becoming one of the highest-selling vehicles in the United States at its launch.{{Clear}}

==Powertrain==
For the all-new X-platform, GM introduced two new engines for the platform architecture. The Pontiac-designed 2.5L "[[Iron Duke engine|Iron Duke]]" inline-4 had been introduced in 1977 for the Chevrolet Vega and the rest of the H-platform, but it underwent a series of upgrades for it to be used in a transverse-engine chassis. As an option, a Chevrolet-designed 2.8L V6 was developed as the first [[General Motors 60° V6 engine|GM 60° V6 engine]]; an iron-block engine, the new engine family used a narrower 60° V-angle (for better balance and packaging, but not used for V6 engines with engineering commonality with V8s).

In 1981, Chevrolet added electronic control to its emissions systems, which reduced engine output slightly. For 1982, the 2.5L engine received fuel injection (adopted by the high-output V6 for 1985). For 1983, the 2.8L high-output V6 (previously paired with the X-11) became an option for all Citations.<ref name="how stuff works" />

Along with its use on the X platform, the Iron Duke engine and the 60° V6 engine family was widely used for a wide range of vehicles; in various forms, the V6 would remain in use in North America until 2009.

{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="7" |Chevrolet Citation (1980-1985) powertrain details
|-
! rowspan="2" |Engine
! rowspan="2" |Design configuration
! rowspan="2" |Production
! rowspan="2" |Fuel system
! colspan="2" |Output
! rowspan="2" |Transmission
|-
!Horsepower
!Torque
|-
|[[Iron Duke engine|''LR8'' I4]]
(Iron Duke/Tech IV)
|{{Convert|151|cuin|L|1|abbr=on|sp=us}} OHV 8-valve I4
|1980–1986
|2-bbl carburetor (1980–1981)
Throttle-body fuel injection (1982–1986)
|1980: {{Convert|90|hp|kW|abbr=on}}
1981: {{Convert|84|hp|kW|abbr=on}}
1982–1986: {{Convert|90|hp|kW|abbr=on}}
|
| rowspan="4" |4-speed manual
3-speed automatic
|-
|[[General Motors 60° V6 engine#LE2|''LE2'' V6]]
| rowspan="3" |{{Convert|173|cuin|L|1|abbr=on|sp=us}} OHV 12-valve V6
|1980–1986
| rowspan="2" |2-bbl carburetor
|1980: {{Convert|115|hp|kW|abbr=on}}
1981: {{Convert|110|hp|kW|abbr=on}}
1982–1986: {{Convert|112|hp|kW|abbr=on}}
|
|-
|[[General Motors 60° V6 engine#LH7|''LH7'' V6]]
|1981–1984
|1981–1984: {{Convert|135|hp|kW|abbr=on}}
|1981: {{Convert|165|lbft|Nm|abbr=on}}
1982–1984: {{Convert|145|lbft|Nm|abbr=on}}
|-
|[[General Motors 60° V6 engine#L44|''L44'' V6]]
|1985
|Multi-point fuel injection
|{{Convert|130|hp|kW|abbr=on}}
|{{Convert|155|lbft|Nm|abbr=on}}
|}

==Citation X-11==
[[File:1980 Chevrolet Citation X11.jpg|thumb|1980 Citation X-11]]
Produced as a separate trim level, the Citation X-11 was a variant featuring cosmetic, chassis, and powertrain upgrades over the standard Citation. While less powerful than the Camaro Z28 (and later Monte Carlo SS), the Citation X-11 would also take over the role of the similarly sized Chevrolet Monza. The X-11 was offered throughout the production run of the Citation/Citation II, on the 3-door hatchback and 2-door "club coupe" (discontinued in 1981 and 1985).

In 1981, the Citation X-11 accelerated from 0–60 MPH in 8.5 seconds; the 1982–1984 version accelerated from 0–60 MPH in 9.2 seconds.

=== Chassis upgrades ===
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 rim|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 90&nbsp;hp 2.5&nbsp;L inline-4 and a 115&nbsp;hp 2.8&nbsp;L V6.<ref name="how stuff works" /> 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&nbsp;mph without shifting to third gear. For 1981, the X-11 was powered exclusively by a "high-output" version of the 2.8&nbsp;L V6; a higher-performance dual-tip exhaust system raised output to 135&nbsp;hp/165&nbsp;lb-ft of torque. As before, the X-11 maintained separate final-drive ratios.<ref name="how stuff works" /> In 1982, emissions regulations required a decrease in torque output, to 145&nbsp;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 2.8&nbsp;L V6 with output decreased to 130&nbsp;hp/155&nbsp;lb-ft of torque. In slightly different tuning, the Citation X-11 shared its powertrain with the Chevrolet Celebrity Eurosport, Pontiac 6000STE, and Pontiac Fiero.

=== Body upgrades ===
[[File:1980 Chevrolet Citation X-11 hatchback at the Rambler Ranch 3of5.jpg|left|thumb|Closeup of body striping and imitation air vent on 1980 Citation X-11]]
[[File:X-11Front.JPG|thumb|1984-1985 Citation II X-11 black grille]]
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).

=== Racing ===
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.

== Reception ==
The Chevrolet Citation was awarded [[Motor Trend Car of the Year]] for 1980. In 2009, the editorial staff of ''[[Car and Driver]]'' criticized the 1980 Motor Trend decision (alongside several other vehicle awards<ref name=":03">{{cite web |date=20 January 2009 |title=Dishonorable Mention: The 10 Most Embarrassing Award Winners in Automotive History |url=http://www.caranddriver.com/features/dishonorable-mention-the-10-most-embarrassing-award-winners-in-automotive-history |access-date=2012-06-29 |website=[[Car and Driver]]}}</ref>), citing poor build quality and mechanical reliability undeserving of such an award in hindsight.<ref name=":03" />

Car and Driver, along with several other car magazines of the time, were duped when GM lent them specially modified versions of the X-body vehicles in which heavy [[torque steer]] had been engineered out (torque steer was a handling trait common to X-platform vehicles). [[Patrick Bedard]] of ''Car and Driver'' said that they were completely surprised by this when they drove a production version some time later.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Skeptic has a Malibu Moment – Column – Auto Reviews |url=http://www.caranddriver.com/features/08q2/the_skeptic_has_a_malibu_moment-column |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110609084833/http://www.caranddriver.com/features/08q2/the_skeptic_has_a_malibu_moment-column |archive-date=2011-06-09 |access-date=2010-05-01 |website=[[Car and Driver]]}}</ref> Like the other X-body cars, there were numerous reports of the Citation locking the rear wheels upon braking, causing loss of control and a crash.

[[Hagerty (insurance)|Hagerty]], an insurance company specializing in classic cars, notes that the X-car was "GM's prime contender for one of the malaziest{{Sic}} cars" of the [[Malaise era]], a car that did "enormous damage to GM's reputation, putting together a most unenviable record for recalls and poor quality control."<ref name="Heavy2">{{cite web |author=Rob Sass |date=1 August 2013 |title=Heavier. Slower. Safer. |url=https://www.hagerty.com/media/archived/heavier-slower-safer/ |publisher=The Hagerty Group, LLC.}}</ref>

=== Safety recalls ===
Through its production, as one of the front-wheel drive X-body vehicles, the Chevrolet Citation would undergo a number of manufacturer recalls. In 1980, 225,000 examples were recalled to fix a transmission hose related to underhood fires.<ref name="how stuff works" /><ref name=":33" /> The X-body cars (which included the Citation) were the target of an unsuccessful lawsuit by the U.S. [[National Highway Traffic Safety Administration]] (NHTSA), which cited a tendency for the vehicles to lose control under heavy braking, and power steering problems.

== Sales ==
{| class="wikitable"
|+Chevrolet Citation production figures<ref>{{Cite book |last=Flammang |first=James M. |title=Standard catalog of American cars, 1976-1999 |date=1999 |publisher=Krause Publications |others=Ron Kowalke |isbn=0-87341-755-0 |edition=3rd |location=Iola, WI |oclc=43301709}}</ref>
!
!Coupe
!3 door hatch
!5 door hatch
!Yearly total
|-
|1980
|143,249
|210,258
|458,033
|811,540
|-
|1981
| —
|113,983
|299,396
|413,379
|-
|1982
|9,102
|29,613
|126,932
|165,647
|-
|1983
|6,456
|14,323
|71,405
|92,184
|-
|1984
|4,936
|8,783
|83,486
|97,205
|-
|1985
| —
|7,443
|55,279
|62,722
|-
!Total
!163,743
!384,403
!1,094,531
!<u>1,642,677</u>
|}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{commons category-inline|Chevrolet Citation}}

{{Chevrolet}}
{{Chevrolet vehicles}}

[[Category:1980s cars]]
[[Category:Cars introduced in 1979]]
[[Category:Chevrolet vehicles|Citation]]
[[Category:Compact cars]]
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[[Category:Front-wheel-drive vehicles]]
[[Category:Hatchbacks]]
[[Category:Motor vehicles manufactured in the United States]]
[[Category:Cars discontinued in 1985]]
[[Category:Cars of Mexico]]