This Rare Citroen C4 VTS Is A Weirdly Tempting £3750 Warmth Hatch

Citroen’s forgotten performance hatch of the mid-noughties is our classifieds is more heat than sizzling, but don’t let that build you off

We’re having one thing of a Citroen-themed week. As you comprise considered on our social media channels, we’re out in each the tiny Ami (video coming soon), and the unique C4.

The engine line-up for the latter is wholly predictable. You’ll have the option to comprise it with a 1.2-litre inline-three in considered one of three states of tune, with a 1.5-litre diesel, or as an ‘e-C4’ BEV. All wrapped up in a crossover physique. How very 2021.

The first C4, on the other hand, got right here along at a truly varied time. Comparatively natty, naturally-aspirated petrol engines had been the allege of the day for C-phase hatchbacks encourage then, and Citroen even stuck a high-powered one in a VTS-badged sizzling hatch.

Well, it became any other time tepid than sizzling. To assemble the VTS, Citroen elected to fit the rapid-named EW10J4S, in every other case identified as the 2.0-litre inline-four sister impress Peugeot fitted in its 208 GTI 180. Within the bigger-boned C4, which shared a platform with the 307, the 175bhp unit made for a 0-62mph time of 8.2 seconds. Now not terrifying, but not excellent either, angry about the critical faster Ford Focus ST became once the same designate when it got right here along a year after the VTS’d C4’s originate.

Whereas you happen to read some of the reports encourage then, it seems the coping with became once deemed to be moderately heart-of-the-motorway, too. The categorical enchantment goes beyond such things, even though.

First off, we now comprise to preserve up in thoughts the seems to be. The three-door ‘coupe’ C4 became once given an angular, glass-heavy rear with a determined Honda CRX vibe, giving an gleaming that’s level-headed attention-grabbing all these years on. Including the spoiler and bigger wheels of the VTS into the combo increase the oddball Frenchie extra.

Inner, it gets madder level-headed. It’s nearly stubbornly varied from the likes of the Mk5 VW Golf and the aforementioned Focus, with its centrally-positioned digital speedometer. The rev counter is in a separate existing factual in the encourage of the steering wheel, which features a static central boss. Handiest the rim of the wheel moves, allowing Citroen to plaster the heart phase with controls and declutter the dashboard.

The odd touches didn’t tempt too many UK traders into C4 VTS possession, and as such, few surviving examples are kicking round these parts. This one on Autotrader is the excellent one we can acquire for sale in Britain, but fortunately, it’s a right’un.

It’s done in Oriental Blue with heated Magnolia leather and has some trim choices along with the upgraded sound system and a panoramic sunroof. Mileage is below moderate at 86,000, whereas the fleshy-carrier history involves evidence of a cam belt commerce at 58,000 miles. It’s currently up for £3749.