Citroen Saxo VTS 16V

Citroen Saxo VTS 16V

The Citroen Saxo VTS was the spiritual successor to the beloved AX GTI, and while it carried more weight than its predecessor, it retained the essential character that made small Citroen hot hatchbacks so appealing. Produced from 1996 to 2004, the VTS combined PSA's excellent TU5J4 1.6-liter 16-valve engine with a lightweight platform to create one of the finest budget hot hatchbacks of its generation.

The TU5J4 engine displaced 1,587cc and produced 120 horsepower at 6,600 rpm, with 145 Nm of torque at 5,200 rpm. This was a classic high-revving naturally aspirated four-cylinder that rewarded enthusiastic driving. The engine pulled cleanly from low revs but truly came alive above 4,000 rpm, where the 16-valve head's breathing advantages became apparent. The exhaust note was characteristically busy and eager, encouraging the driver to use all the available revs.

Mated to a precise five-speed manual gearbox with a delightfully short throw, the Saxo VTS was a joy to drive briskly on twisting back roads. The steering was quick and communicative, with excellent feel through the small-diameter wheel. The chassis balance favored mild understeer in normal driving but could be provoked into adjustable oversteer with trail-braking or lift-off techniques, making it a rewarding car for skilled drivers.

At 935 kilograms, the Saxo VTS was heavier than the AX GTI but still remarkably light compared to its contemporaries. This low weight gave it a power-to-weight ratio of 128 horsepower per ton, ensuring that the modest power output translated into genuinely brisk real-world performance. The 0-100 km/h sprint took approximately 8.3 seconds, and the car would reach 203 km/h flat out.

The VTS shared its platform and most mechanical components with the Peugeot 106 GTI, and there was intense debate among French car enthusiasts about which was the better car. The Saxo was slightly softer in its setup, with marginally more comfort-oriented tuning, while the 106 GTI was considered the purer driver's car. Both were excellent, and the rivalry only served to enhance both cars' reputations.

In the UK, the Saxo VTS became enormously popular in the modified car scene of the early 2000s, with many cars receiving aggressive bodywork modifications, lowered suspension, and engine tuning. This period has unfortunately claimed many examples, making unmodified, standard-specification VTS cars increasingly rare and desirable.

The Saxo VTS is now recognized as one of the last great lightweight, naturally aspirated hot hatchbacks before turbocharging became the dominant approach to small car performance. Its combination of low weight, rev-happy engine, and engaging chassis dynamics offers a driving experience that modern turbocharged superminis struggle to replicate.