Facelifted Citroen C2 cheaper

CITROEN Australia may have sold only 229 examples of its diminutive C2 VTR SensoDrive hatch – plus a further 210 in 2004, its launch year – but already the exclusive French three-door has come in for facelift.

One sale now, the 2006 C2 features an updated dashboard, instruments, ergonomics, suspension and transmission – plus a $500 lower pricetag of $22,990.

Mechanical changes to Citroen’s smallest hot-hatch include revised MacPherson strut/solid beam front/rear suspension settings to improve ride quality, plus a second-generation version of the brand’s SensoDrive five-speed sequential manual transmission, which is claimed to make gearshifts both faster and smoother.

Based on the same platform as the slightly larger C3 – and the PSA Peugeot Citroen group’s recently revealed 207 hatch, for that matter – the C2 VTR retains the exclusive bodyshell and shorter bumpers that set it apart from the five-door upon which it’s based.

Also unchanged are the revised C2’s 195/45-section tyres and 16-inch alloy wheels, unique sports seats, colour-coded translucent plastic gearknob and door handles, two-piece rear hatch and twin multi-function rear seats.

Similarly, the 1055kg C2 VTR continues to be powered by an 80kW/150Nm 1.6-litre four-cylinder delivering 0-100km/h acceleration in 10.9 seconds, a top speed of 190km/h and a frugal 6.3L/100km combined-cycle fuel consumption average.

Standard equipment remains the same too, including power steering, electric windows/mirrors, climate-control air-conditioning, trip computer, a height and reach-adjustable steering wheel, rain-sensing wipers, automatic headlights and an integrated digital audio system.

C2 scored an impressive (for a sub-light car or "super-mini") four-star European NCAP crash test rating and its safety features include four airbags, anti-lock brakes (ABS), electronic brake-force distribution (ABD) and emergency brake assist (EBA).

"Demand for the Citroën C2 has always run ahead of our ability to supply in Australia," said Citroen Australia general manager Miles Williams.

"But that hasn’t stopped us working hard with Citroën to get an even sharper price for the C2, despite the added refinements for the 2006 model year."