Citroen C2

After weeks of trying, I've finally figured out where the Citroen C2 VTS is most at home. Despite its city car credentials, it's really a B-road specialist. This is a relief, as intensive town driving and the odd motorway blast had left me wondering where the car's appeal lay.

I've been using the Citroen for my 16-mile commute through the stop-start traffic of south London. The poorly surfaced roads are bad news for the VTS's hard suspension, delivering a crashy, unforgiving ride, while smooth progress is hampered by the all-or-nothing brakes. It's no better on multi-lane roads, either, as the firm set-up and low gearing make it a restless and noisy companion.

However, an enlightening drive on a good rural B-road revealed the C2's natural habitat. There, it handles sharply with minimal body roll. Its performance isn't electrifying, but extracting all 125bhp from the 1.6-litre powerplant is good fun.

My rush hour crawl has given me plenty of time to admire the cabin, however. By city car standards it's not bad, although there are a few gripes. Firstly, the limited reach adjustment of the steering wheel means taller drivers have to accept a compromised seating position. I'm not a fan of the plastic door pulls, either, as they look unfinished. Finally, while the in-dash CD changer is excellent, the stereo has fiddly push-button volume controls. Admittedly, there are auxiliary switches on the stalks, but the radio-mounted items irritate.

Since the previous report, the VTS has taken part in our Greatest Drives shoot-out in Wales, and after many hot laps of the Anglesey circuit, the front tyres needed changing. But the low-profile rubber is rare, and tracking down replacements was tricky.

In the end, Vulcaniza Tyre Centre in Clapham had to order them specially - and charged £210.05 for the privilege. It looks as if we'll be going back soon, because now there's a nail in one of the rears! A trip to a Citroen dealer also beckons, as a stone has left a hole in one of the foglight lenses.

Once both problems are fixed, the C2 will be back on form. It's just a shame there are no twisty B-roads on my way home from central London...

Second opinion

Sorry Citroen, but like Ross, I think our C2 VTS is uncomfortable around town and noisy on the motorway. Worse still, the interior doesn't feel particularly well put together, either. And although I agree that the hot hatch is good fun on a twisty B-road - where you can start to enjoy the nimble handling - the Ford Fiesta Zetec S is a much better driver's car, and would be my choice every time.
Sam Hardy, motoring writer