Citroën C2 VTS: First Look

Hot on the heels of the nimble C2 VTR is the even sharper Citroën C2 VTS, which will be launched at the 2004 Paris Motor Show.

The C2 VTS is fitted with a new 90kW (125hp) engine, which may sound trivial at first, but it's actually a pretty solid power output considering the naturally aspirated engine displaces just 1.6-litres, or 1,587cc to be exact.

The rev-happy engine's 90kW is up from the 80 or so kilowatts in the VTR, and is mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox, plus an uprated chassis also makes the grade.

The exterior styling of the new C2 underlines the sporty character of the car, gifting it with a 0.31 co-efficient of drag, thanks to a bodykit comprising ground-hugging front and rear bumpers, plus side skirts and a rear spoiler.

With clean, sharp lines symbolised by the deep-cut side windows, its unique personality and dynamic looks provide the ideal basis for a sporting model.

16-inch alloy wheels shod with 195/45 profile tyres give the car a more athletic stance, and together with a 1045kg kerb weight, the grip and roadholding potential of the VTS should be impressive to say the least.

Citroën took the 80kW mill from the VTR model and boosted power and torque by modifying the intake and exhaust valve timing and new camshafts were also fitted, contributing to a more aggressive fuel delivery.

A special intake manifold was added to the 16-valve engine, while a new injection system with higher injector flow rates and a new exhaust system and rear silencer also contribute to the engine's improved power output.

The under-bonnet tweaks help the 4-cylinder engine develop 90kW @ 6500rpm, with maximum torque of 143Nm at 3750rpm, offering a wide powerband with which to play.

The 1.6-litre powerplant's rev limiter kicks in @ 7200rpm and together with the aforementioned 5-speed manual gearbox will accelerate from 0-100km/h in 8.3 seconds, which is about a half-second shy of the highly-acclaimed Renault Clio Sport (reviewed here).

With a claimed quarter-mile run of 16.1 seconds, and a top speed of 202km/h, Citroën's compact hot-hatch has the anchors to match, with 266mm ventilated discs up front and 247mm solid disc brakes at the rear.

Though Citroën has paid great attention to the C2 VTS's acceleration and deceleration performance, the car's real strength lies in its sure-footed roadholding and well balanced handling.

Compared with the VTR, springing and damping have been deliberately firmed up in order to adapt to the sports positioning of the VTS. It gets a new anti-roll bar of increased stiffness (diameter of 21mm compared with 20mm on the VTR) and firmer front and rear springs.

Electrically assisted power-steering comes as part of the VTS package and the ratio is quicker than on the VTR @ 2.6 turns lock to lock, compared with 3 turns on the other C2 models. As is becoming more and more popular on many makes and models, the power-steering is also variable electrically assisted, meaning it is more responsive at low speeds, making parking and what not easier on the wrists, and firming up as the vehicle accelerates and reaches higher speeds for more precise steering input.

In addition to all the performance mods in the front wheel drive C2 VTS, a switchable electronic stability program (ESP) also makes the cut, and inside the French potential buyers will be met with black sports seats, a leather steering wheel and an aluminium pedal array.

Citroën's new pocket rocket will make its official debut at the Paris Motor Show, entering a market segment that has grown in leaps and bounds, particularly as the Japanese have weighed in with some piping-hot product in recent years.