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CITROEN C2 Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

Generations: 3
First production year: 2003
Engines: Gasoline, Diesel
Body style: Hatchback
CITROEN C2 photo gallery

Sometimes, a good car is axed or marginalized by its manufacturer. It is hard to understand why Citroen gave almost no chance to survive to this little car. It was launched in 2003 and it received a mild facelift in 2008, while the world was in the economic crisis. And after two more years, in 2010, Citroen pulled the plug on it.

It had a very good image gained in the motorsport arena, where the C2 took part and was successful. Also, it had some sporty versions such as VTS and VTR, which were kept after the 2008 facelift.

The 2008 facelift was a small update over the 2006 minor facelift. The most important improvement was the introduction of the 110 hp turbodiesel engine with a particulate filter. That engine transformed the little C2 into one of the most fuel-efficient vehicles in the manufacturer's range.

Inside the tiny cabin, there are five seats, but the rear ones are too small to fit three adults in there. The sloped roof and short wheelbase didn't allow too much room. After the facelift, the C2 received a rear seat split-folding rear backseat, to extend the trunk. An interesting feature preserved by the 2008 version was the sliding rear seats, which allows the trunk to be enlarged from 193 liters (6.8 cu-ft) to 224 liters (7.9 cu-ft).

full description and technical specifications
CITROEN C2 photo gallery

Introduced in 2003 as a supermini two-door hatchback, the C2 targeted customers looking for a chic vehicle with a sporty character and a spacious interior.

When it made the C2, Citroën thought that it checked all the boxes to provide an excellent car for the urban environment. Thanks to its small size and excellent all-around visibility, it was an easy-to-live-with vehicle, especially in the cities. The automaker built the C2 based on the same platform as the five-door Citroën C3 and slit between its larger stablemate and the smaller C1. Unfortunately, the French automaker didn’t focus too much on advertising the fancy-looking C2, so the model mainly remained unknown to the customers. As a result, poor sales led to the dismissal of this car in 2009, and it wasn’t replaced by any similar vehicle in the carmaker’s lineup.

With a design signed by Donato Coco, who penned the Ferrari 456 and the Ferrari California, the C2 impressed with its unusual look. At the front, it featured tall, squarish headlights tilted backward. The rectangular grille between them sported the carmaker’s “double-chevron” badge. In 2007, the automaker added a facelift for this model that kept a similar design, albeit with a larger Citroën logo up front. Below the bumper, on the apron, the C2 had a rectangular air intake that helped with cooling, flanked by optional fog lamps.

From its profile, the flared wheel fenders created a sporty image for the supermini hatchback. Unlike most other cars on the market, the rear windows started lower than those mounted on the doors, creating a unique look for the vehicle. Still, regardless of the car’s color and grade, the 2003 C2 featured black door mirror caps but body-colored door handles. Finally, at the back, the automaker installed corner-mounted taillights that flanked the wide tailgate. Below the bumper, a tiny exhaust peaked under the apron.

Inside, depending on the trim level, the C2 featured bucket seats with low or high-bolstered areas, with matching colors for the upholstery and parts of the door cards. Despite being a budget vehicle, it featured a generous instrument cluster fitted with a large tachometer above an LCD that showed the speedometer and other information from the car’s onboard computer. As an option, customers could get the vehicle with an infotainment system that featured navigation mounted high on the dashboard, above the center stack. In the back, two individual seats could fold and expand the otherwise tiny luggage compartment.

Under the hood, Citroën installed a choice of diesel and gasoline engines ranging between 60 PS (59 hp) and 118 PS (116 hp) paired with a five-speed manual. The automaker offered a five-speed automated (single-clutch) transmission as an option for selected versions.

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CITROEN C2 VTS photo gallery

The VTS was the sportiest version of the little Citroen C2. It was built for the masses but it received approval for a Rally Car. It was a nimble and precise tool in the right hands. In the others, it was just a faster super-mini hot-hatch.

The big battle for the super-mini category was spread from the compact hot-hatches to the small and the super-mini segments. While in the other two categories Renault scored important points with its Megane RS and Clio RS, Citroen tried its luck to get the crown for a smaller category and introduced the VTS.

The C2 VTS was available as a three-door hatchback only. It's square and swept-back headlights on the front were continued to a very short hood and almost 45 degrees A-pillars. The car just wasn't long enough to put some proper angled windshield on it. The small cabin was abruptly ended in the back, with a roof-spoiler over the tailgate. The car featured special VTS light-alloy wheels and VTS badges.

Inside, the sport-bucket seats with leather upholstery and the aluminum pedals inspired a racy atmosphere. The silver rim around the buttons on the center stack and the ring around the gear-stick amplified that feeling. There was no white dial speedometer or tachometer in the instrument cluster. Just a big LCD in the middle and two light-rows on its sides. That wasn't sporty at all. The car was fitted with a pair of seats in the back, good for two small children.

The magic was under the hood, where the French engineers found a way to stick a 1.6-liter gasoline engine in there. It was naturally aspirated and offered 125 hp, which were enough to move the 1084 (2390 lbs) in a fast-pace. But the 5-speed gearbox was just not enough for it.

full description and technical specifications