Citreon Saxo Afterburner lights
Afterburner lights —became a defining visual mod for the Citroën Saxo during the height of the Max Power era. Often found on modified Saxos in the early 2000s, these lights were as polarising as they were popular.
Afterburner lights typically featured clear or smoked lenses with individual circular red/brake and indicator lights housed in chrome or black backgrounds. Inspired loosely by the tail lights of high-end performance cars (like the Toyota Altezza, aka Lexus IS200), they aimed to give the humble Saxo a “custom” or even “JDM” look.
On a heavily modified Saxo with body kits, lowered suspension, and big alloys, these lights fit right in. They stood out compared to the standard red-and-orange tail clusters and gave the rear end a much more distinctive appearance.
However, they were divisive. To some, they added a cool, aggressive edge. To others, they screamed "Halfords special"—a shortcut to style that aged quickly as tastes changed.
The quality of Afterburner lights varied significantly by manufacturer. Some brands (like FK Automotive or Jewel) produced well-made units with decent seals and a good fit. Others suffered from condensation, loose wiring, or plastic that yellowed or cracked over time.
Installation was generally straightforward—plug-and-play with standard wiring in most cases—but a bad fit could lead to leaks or rattling.
Functionally, they worked fine if properly wired. Most supported standard bulb fitment and followed UK/EU lighting regulations. However, cheaper units sometimes had poor reflectors or lenses that reduced visibility, which could potentially make them an MOT fail or a safety issue.
Also, some variants didn’t include proper fog light positioning, which was another common problem when it came to legality.
Afterburner lights became part of the 'boy racer' stereotype in the UK—alongside big exhausts, loud subs, and body kits. As car culture evolved and OEM+ or cleaner looks became more fashionable, the popularity of these lights waned. Today, they’re often viewed with a sense of ironic nostalgia.
That said, on a well-built period-correct Saxo show car, they can absolutely work. When integrated thoughtfully into a full Max Power-era build, they now have retro charm and offer a snapshot of early 2000s youth car culture.
Verdict:
Afterburner lights on a Saxo were once the
epitome of street modding.
Today, they’re a bit of a throwback, either cringe or cool depending on your
perspective. On the right car, with the right build, they still hold nostalgic
value and can bring some early-2000s flair to a retro project.