Citroen C2 test drive since 2003 hatchback

Citroen C2 VTR

Everything, it would seem, is simply and understandable: the new C2 is the heir to Citroen Saxo, published since 1995. But the same role has been partially assigned C3. In order to deal with the true mission of C2, as well as for a thorough acquaintance with the novelty, we took the most expensive version - VTR for the test.

The new line of Citroen models is confusing. Previously, everything was simple: Saxo, Xsara and Xantia so accurately corresponded to the segments B, C and D of the European market that there was no confusion. Now everything is more complicated. The C5 had to be replaced by Xantia two years ago, and C3 definitely got into the segment B, that is, in fact was the Saxo successor. But the debuting in the fall C2 confused all the cards. A new picture is built: C3 will represent the interests of Citroen as a 5-door model of segment B, and C2-3-door. The original marketing trick, designed to arouse interest among customers twice. Remember the classic cinema version of a good policeman - a bad policeman? Citroen marketers essentially also offer something close. Only you have to choose between a little more serious C3 and a little more young in spirit C2.

There is no doubt that the new C2 will become a bestseller in Europe. The very French origin of the car obliges this. All three French car manufacturers may not feel it in the D and E segments, but in the class of compact cars they have long set tone. Renault had Twingo and Clio, Peugeot had 106 and 206, and Citroen has AX and Saxo. The only question is what C2 will bring to his class. After all, it is here that the developers of cars allow themselves bold experiments, which are then recognized by legendary models that set new standards. And the same Twingo and 206 can be attributed to their number.

For the first acquaintance with the novelty, we chose a difficult version of C2 for the test. She received a branded console in the name - VTR, which reveals the whole essence of the car. Before us is not just a compact hatchback, but also hot. Recall that the European term Hot Hatch denoting the factory charged versions of the kids. And if in Germany this class is not given so much attention, then in the south of Europe and in the UK it has long become a cult. Models such as Peugeot 205 GTI, Renault 5GT Turbo and Clio Williams still cause no less enthusiasm in these countries than genuine first-generation BMW M3. The concept of these cars is simple. The car manufacturer is actually engaged in deep tuning of his mass model. Under the hood, the engine is installed from the model with one or two classes higher.

Along the way, new gearbox settings are selected, preference is given to a more rigid and reduced suspension, more effective brakes and brighter design. At the same time, the price of such a monster can be 1.5-2 times higher than that of the base version of this model range. So, with a successful set of circumstances, small legends are created, addressed primarily to young, but wealthy Europeans who are not yet ready to purchase real sports models.

Like other factory tuning products, hot hatchbacks help automakers draw attention to their usual models. Although it is in this class that charged cars can boast of significant sales volumes. And the predecessors of the C2 VTR - Saxo VTS and VTR were in demand in Europe.

Just a pretty

For all the time of a long trip around the city on C2, nothing has ever spoiled us the mood. The reason is simple: appearing on the street, the small Citroen fills it with goodwill and a positive mood. And if something similar has already done the Peugeot 206 and C3, then C2 is more natural. The car not only attracts attention - it directly bathes in the rays of positive assessments.

At the same time, in the design of C2 there are several elements that look very unusual, but do without comparison with the older brother - C3, with whom the beginner is related by almost 60% of the total nodes. C2 has become shorter, but a little higher. A smaller wheelbase helps him achieve the image of a small but strong athlete. But what about the new aerokitis promised in the VTR specification? He does not particularly attract attention, but simply complements the alpine appearance of C2. And the front bumper with large fog lights, although it looks serious, does not turn the car into an aggressive creature. A stronger impression is left by 16-inch wheels.

Impeccable style

Finding a C2 cabin is difficult. The most important thing is that his style is sustained perfectly, despite some shortcomings, however, excusable for a compact and inexpensive car. We are offered to plunge into the atmosphere of youth and cheerfulness. This is a fun finish with colored inserts and many pleasant surprises prepared by the creators of C2. Citroen honestly declare four seats for C2. But it should be borne in mind that here we really get four seats independent of each other. Not only the front seats are made separately, but also the rear.

In this case, the rear have enviable possibilities for transformation. As if in a modern minivan, you can adjust the tilt of the backs, as well as fold and shift these seats separately. This is how the ability to choose between an increase in the volume of the trunk or winning in the space of the legs of the rear passengers. But in order to truly fold the rear seats, the front ones will also have to be significantly moved forward. And tall people from behind will not be very convenient for any layout. The design of the rear door is interesting: it consists of two halves, which lean up and down, as on expensive SUVs. Resting in nature, it can be used as an impromptu bench.

Front passengers can enjoy the impressive free space above their heads. For this, let's say thanks to the curved roof line and front rack. It was pleasant to learn the place of the driver thanks to a good set of adjustments of both the steering column and the seat itself, including the microlift of the chair with a wide range of choice.

The digital speedometer distracts attention from the narrow scale of the tachometer, which can be useful to the driver C2, at least in the first days of acquaintance with the novelty. And the most promising details of the C2 VTR interior were silver petals hidden at the wheel. There are associations with Ferrari 360 Modena F1 and BMW M3 SMG, which have steering wheel levers for manual control of a sequential checkpoint. This Citroen received something similar - an advanced Sensodrive box capable of working in both automatic and manual mode, but still without a clutch pedal.

Impressive drive

First, using Sensodrive is quite inconvenient. Due to the poorly distinguishable scale of the tachometer and a window with the number of the selected gear in the city, you can make a lot of errors by controlling the box in manual mode. Therefore, we advise you to get acquainted with the algorithm for the work of the checkpoint in some kind of quiet place. It is enough to do a few full starts from the place to find a common language with Sensodrive. Everything turns out to be simple: with the help of levers, it is necessary to switch the gears up or down, focusing primarily on the sound of the motor. In the VTR version for C2, a special exhaust system was prepared, which received a noble, but not too bass and sound acting.

Unlike the BMW M3 with a SMG box on C2, you should not count on the special speed of Sensodrive. In manual mode, it will switch the programs no faster or smoother of an ordinary European, because the main advantage of Sensodrive over the usual mechanics is just the possibility of choosing gears in fully automatic mode. And with this, the unusual node copes quite satisfactorily, not causing a desire to take the leadership in urban traffic jams.

And if 10.9 passport seconds of acceleration to hundreds are not presented to something outstanding, we recommend that you test C2 VTR on a winding suburban highway. It is here that you can feel the character of the machine, which was created not only in order to achieve good dynamic characteristics, but also to satisfy real driver ambitions. On such a road when driving at speeds of 80-150 km/h, C2 will ahead of many more powerful and large Germans. Here a small mass of the car and excellent suspension settings come to the fore. The compact C2 is literally glued to the asphalt canvas, causing associations with the map. The absence of tangible rolls is pleased - they simply cannot be due to a rigid low suspension of the VTR modification and low -profile dimensions of 195/45 R16. Suspension settings showed themselves perfectly on a broken road. I don’t want to drive along such a canvas, but there are no special concerns for the safety of the suspension nodes.

Alas, it will be difficult to achieve absolute understanding with C2. The reason for this is the power steering, which does not provide the degree of feedback to which we are used to the predecessors of C2. Moreover, with speed growth, it is possible to achieve more information from the steering. And you can afford to fuck without fear: at the exit from the turn by a sharp movement of the steering wheel and press the brake pedal, provoke a slight skid. It is easy to adjust it, and this should also attract young drivers to C2 VTR.

And finally, the brakes deserve a good word. They impressed both their effectiveness and predictability. Moreover, the VTR brakes with honor even survived the test of numerous power overloads, without betraying their fatigue in anything.

Predictable success

Do not exaggerate the meaning of the new C2 for the world automotive and even for Citroen. It will not be possible to repeat the history - C2 will not be produced not a record 42 years, as its legendary predecessor 2CV, but 7-8 years. But there is no doubt that this will be a happy period for C2 and its future owners. As for the VTR version, it met most of our expectations: it is a fairly fast car with good controllability. And true fans of hot hatchbacks, we recommend hoping for the emergence of a more uncompromising version of VTS, with even more evil settings of the chassis, motor and the old, kind hand gearbox.

Some technical characteristics Citroen C2 VTR
(manufacturer data)
Dimensions, mm: 3666x1659x1461
Base, mm: 2315
Front/behind, mm: 1439/1439
Trunk volume, l: 193-879
Equipped mass, kg: 1055
Engine type: 4-cylinder gasoline
Working volume, cubic meter. See: 1587
Max. Power, L.S./rpm: 109/5800
Max. moment, nm/rpm: 147/4000
Drive: on the front wheels
Transmission: Automatic 5-band with the possibility of manual switching
Tires: 195/45 R16
Max. Speed, km/h: 195
Acceleration time 0-100 km, s: 10.9
Fuel consumption (city/highway), l/100 km: 8.3/5.2
Top volume, l: 41
Fedor Oldin
 

A source: Avtopanorama magazine