Performance Review: Citroen C2 1.6 VTS 3-5dr - [2004]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Citroen C2 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Citroen C2 1.6 VTS 3-5dr is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2004. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2005 Bugatti Veyron 8.0 litre W16 and the 2005 SSC Aero SC 8T 6.3L.This particular Citroen C2 has a 1587cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The C2 shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the C2's Front Wheel Drive, Hatchback combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1080 kgs (2380 lbs) this makes the Citroen C2 1.6 VTS 3-5dr in the same weight category as the 2018 Abarth 695 XSR Yamaha Automated or the give or take 50kg.

The Citroen C2 shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp)

In terms of power the 1587cc 16V St4 engine produces 123 bhp (91 kW) @ 6500 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 105 lb-ft (142.3 Nm) @ 4000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2012 Lexus CT 200h 1.8L (105 lb-ft) or the 2012 Mini Cooper Paceman (118 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Citroen C2 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1973 Chevrolet Chevelle-Malibu SS 454 Coupe 4 Speed 2nd Gen (138.8 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Citroen C2.

The Citroen C2 has a Power to weight ratio of 113.8 bhp per ton and 97.2 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2004 C2 competing with the 1973 Chevrolet Chevelle-Malibu SS 454 Coupe 4 Speed 2nd Gen (138.8 bhp per ton) or the 1990 Toyota MR2 GT Mk2 Rev 1 (138.8 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Citroen C2 generating around 97.2 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1976 Jensen GT 2.0 16v (122.1 lb-ft per ton) or the 1986 Audi 100 2.2 Turbo Quattro (122.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 8.10 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 8.4 secs, this made the Citroen C2 1.6 VTS 3-5dr as fast as the 2014 Peugeot 308 GT 2.0 Blue HDI 180 (8.10 secs) the 2008 Fiat Grande Punto 1.4 T-Jet 155 Abarth (8.10 secs) the 2006 Volkswagen-VW Golf GT TDi 170 (8.10 secs) the or the 2005 Vauxhall-Opel Astra 2.0 Turbo SRI (8.10 secs). This Citroen C2 1.6 VTS 3-5dr is also faster than the 2006 Seat Leon 2.0 16v TDI FR (8.20 secs) the 2005 Land-Rover Range Rover 4.4 V8 (8.20 secs) the 2003 BMW X5 3.0d (8.20 secs) the and the 2000 Honda Civic 2.0i VTEC Type S (8.20 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the C2 and the 1993 Mercedes E Class 400 W124

When talking about the performance of the Citroen C2 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 16.64 secs @ 82.2 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1993 Mercedes E Class 400 W124 (16.58 secs), the 1966 Ford Mustang GT Convertible 289 4.7 V8 (16.59 secs), and the 1996 Alfa-Romeo GTV 3.0 V6 Lusso (16.60 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2004 version of the Citroen C2 1.6 VTS 3-5dr has a maximum speed of 126mph.

Top Speed of the 2004 C2 equals the 2021 Porsche Taycan 4 Cross Turismo (137 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2004 Citroen C2 1.6 VTS 3-5dr then how about the 2021 Porsche Taycan 4 Cross Turismo (137 mph), the 2020 Ford Puma ST 1.5 Turbo (137 mph), or the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.0 EcoBlue (137 mph).

Related Links:

2004 C2 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Citroen

Car Comparison