2003 CITROEN C2 VTS 1.6L HDi 5MT (110 HP)

Vehicle Overview

The VTS was the sportiest version of the little Citroen C2. It was built for the masses but it received approval for a Rally Car. It was a nimble and precise tool in the right hands. In the others, it was just a faster super-mini hot-hatch.

The big battle for the super-mini category was spread from the compact hot-hatches to the small and the super-mini segments. While in the other two categories Renault scored important points with its Megane RS and Clio RS, Citroen tried its luck to get the crown for a smaller category and introduced the VTS.

The C2 VTS was available as a three-door hatchback only. It’s square and swept-back headlights on the front were continued to a very short hood and almost 45 degrees A-pillars. The car just wasn’t long enough to put some proper angled windshield on it. The small cabin was abruptly ended in the back, with a roof-spoiler over the tailgate. The car featured special VTS light-alloy wheels and VTS badges.

Inside, the sport-bucket seats with leather upholstery and the aluminum pedals inspired a racy atmosphere. The silver rim around the buttons on the center stack and the ring around the gear-stick amplified that feeling. There was no white dial speedometer or tachometer in the instrument cluster. Just a big LCD in the middle and two light-rows on its sides. That wasn’t sporty at all. The car was fitted with a pair of seats in the back, good for two small children.

The magic was under the hood, where the French engineers found a way to stick a 1.6-liter gasoline engine in there. It was naturally aspirated and offered 125 hp, which were enough to move the 1084 (2390 lbs) in a fast-pace. But the 5-speed gearbox was just not enough for it.