|
|
| Citroen
C4 VTS |
Broadcast
dates : 14th August 2005
20th August 2005 |
|
Few
would argue that the new Citroen C4 is futuristic.
That goes double for the three-door VTS model, the top
performer in the range.
A moon-bubble roofline, reverse-slant rear windows,
future-shock alloy wheels, and a dramatic wing all add
up to a spacey concoction.
The galactical theme of the C4’s interior is given
the strongest voltage from the steering wheel. The
centre portion, or hub, remains stationary when the
wheel is turned.
There’s nothing new about digital speedos and
rev-counters – they’ve been around since the 1980s
– but they suit the character of the VTS. Which,
incidentally, is capable of a fair turn of speed.
|
 |
 |
The
VTS runs on large-diameter alloys and low-profile
tyres. And while we’ve been critical of the ride and
handling of Citroens recently, this sporty model has a
good mix of stability and ride comfort.
Despite a fairly short wheelbase, the C4 VTS rides
bumps well, with no sign of choppiness.
There’s nothing overtly Star-Wars-ish about the
engine. In fact, apart from some badge-engineering on
the valve cover, it’s identical to the unit found in
the Peugeot 206 GTi 180 and the 307 CC.
Peugeot and Citroen have been joined at the hip since
Peugeot took over the Citroen concern some years ago
and many mechanical components are shared across both
marques.
Suspension is conventional by Citroen standards, with
MacPherson struts up front and a torsion beam and
trailing arms at the rear.
And the transmission is a straight five-speed manual,
profiled towards good 0-100 times with a particularly
tall second gear.
In fact if you run the C4 VTS right up to its cut-out
at 7300 revs, it’ll take you close to a 110
kilometres-per-hour in second.
Third, fourth and fifth are fairly widely spaced, and
the C4 has a long-legged cruising gait in fifth gear,
with the speed limit achieved at around 3600 rpm.
Fuel consumption is rated at 8,6 litres per hundred by
the manufacturers, which should be achievable as long
as you don’t spend all day at the redline.
0-100 is a claimed 8,6 seconds, and top speed is 215
kilometres per hour.
Reasonable figures, but not quite in the Volkswagen
GTi league, which is where this car will be judged.
It should be noted that the similarly-priced Golf and
Opel GSi Turbo are a full second quicker to one
hundred than the VTS at sea level, and both these cars
have an extra pair of doors without compromising their
sporty style too much.
Gugu tends to feel, when all is said and done, that
the Citroen places style ever-so-slightly ahead of
performance.
Citroen C4 2,0 VTS
- Engine:
Four-cylinder petrol, 1 997 cc
- Power: 130
kW @ 7 000 rpm
- Torque: 202
Nm @ 4 750 rpm
- Transmission:
Five-speed manual, front-wheel-drive
- 0-100 km/h:
8,6 seconds
- Top speed:
215 km/h
- Fuel
consumption: 10,3 litres/100 km (claimed
figures)
- Price: R249
995
|
|
|
|
Did you enjoy reading this article?
Why not recommend it to a friend - Click here
|
|
|
|
