Citroen C2 VTS 1.6HDi 3dr

Oct 5 2008 Peter Keenan

I didn't have the best of starts with the Citroen C2 - more of a stop actually - but the cute supermini eventually proved to be a bit of a superstar.

It always takes a few minutes with any new car to familiarise yourself initially with the controls and then when you pull away with how the car drives.

Normally there's not much of a problem, but the brakes on the C2 were sharper than Joan Rivers tongue. It seemed I merely had to breathe on the pedal and the car would be brought to an immediate halt.

After a while though I got used to them and in fairness decent brakes are just what you need as the top of the range 1.6 HDi diesel engine takes no prisoners firing the C2 from 0-62mph in shade over nine seconds.

This official time does no justice to the car's initial acceleration away from a set of traffic lights as it bolts from the blocks like an Olympic sprinter.

It's a tremendous amount of fun to drive. The steering is crisp and accurate while the C2 handles like a jet fighter and absorbs humps and hollows with aplomb.

There's loads of grip which means corners can be taken aggressively in a chassis that treats body roll like the plague.

It's clear that Citroen wants this car to appeal to the young, so it's good looking and funky immediately catching the eye.

The sporty VTS model adds aluminium pedals, an aluminium-effect gearknob, comfortable sports seats, efficient air conditioning, stability control and an alarm to a successful recipe.

There's also electric folding door mirrors, which on a supermini seem a bit strange, and front fog lights that make the C2's face even more distinctive.

For those who view the £13,895 price tag as a tad expensive for the VTS, the entry level 1.1iL petrol model starts from £8,395. A luxury pack adding goodies like cruise control, heated leather seats and parking sensors is also available on the C2 SX model.

Citroen dealers have a well earned reputation for offering healthy discounts and special offers so there may be a still better deal to be done. On the road the C2 remains easy on the wallet with the oilburner in the car I tested returning an average fuel economy figure of more than 64mpg as well as low carbon dioxide emissions and a low insurance rating.

The cabin allows the driver and front seat passenger space to breathe with good leg and headroom. The steering adjusts for height and reach while the driver's seat is fully adjustable on all but the L model.

However, things are tighter in the rear although the three-door version features an easily operated sliding seat that at least makes access acceptable. On the VTS model the two individual rear seats can be slid fore and aft or tilted forward to provide more space.

The boot is fine for small loads and the tailgate divides cleverly with the upper half lifting to reveal the boot, while the lower section drops to allow heavier items to be loaded without fuss.

It is a neat idea on what is an exciting, well designed supermini.

FAST FACTS:

Citroen C2 VTS 1.6 HDi 3dr

Price: £13,895

Mechanical: 109bhp, 1,560cc, 4cyl diesel engine driving front wheels via 5-speed manual gearbox

Max speed: 120mph

0-62mph: 9.4secs

Combined mpg: 64.2

Insurance group: 6

CO2 emissions: 119g/km

BiK rating: 13%

Warranty: 3yrs/60,000 miles, 3yrs paint, 12 yrs anti-rust