Citroën had unplanned but runaway success with its sporting Saxos. Although the less powerful VTR took the bulk of sales, the 16-valve VTS proved surprisingly adept on the road with a potent blend of fizzy acceleration and agile handling. For a marque that had usually been the runner-up to sister company Peugeot and arch rival Renault when it came to hot-hatch sales, it made a welcome change. But as the Saxo aged the MG ZR and the new Mini stole sales.
The UK was the biggest market for the Saxo VTS and we’re the first to receive the new C2 VTS – even ahead of France. This time, the VTS is aimed at the young driver/modifier market that adopted the Saxo with such fervour.
Visually, it’s identical to the C2 VTR save for different alloys. It’s a chunky, eccentric and upright little car. Like the VTR, it uses a 1587cc, 16-valve engine which, after attention to the cams, valve springs, fuel injection and intake and exhaust systems, now produces 123bhp at 6500rpm (up from the VTR’s 110bhp and three bhp more than the Saxo VTS offered). Torque is down 2lb ft on the old Saxo but it peaks at a more accessible 3750rpm.
Unlike the VTR, which is only available with Citroën’s clutchless manual Sensodrive transmission, drive is via a conventional five-speed gearbox with closely-stacked ratios.
Citroën has upgraded the VTR’s chassis, fitting a quicker steering rack (with just 2.6 turns lock-to-lock), firmer springs and dampers and thicker anti-roll bars front and rear. Although the wheels have the same 16-inch diameter as the VTR’s, they are half-an-inch wider and wear a new Michelin Exalto 2 tyre. Of course, the C2’s body shell is far stiffer and stronger than the old Saxo’s, but inevitably that means kerbweight is up – 1083kg compared to the Saxo’s 975kg – something that’s bound to have an impact on performance.
Both anti-lock brakes and ESP are welcome standard equipment on a car that will be driven hard, possibly in young and inexperienced hands.