Citroen Xsara 2.0 HDi VTR Coupé review
by Ross Finlay (6 May 2003)
We've driven several examples of the Xsara, in various body styles and with various powertrains, but it's a fair bet that this is the one with which most people are unfamiliar. In fact, a quick straw poll of a small group of motoring writers proved that a majority of them didn't even know there is such a thing as a turbo diesel Xsara coupé.
The 2.0HDi comes in the same general VTR specification as the 1.6-litre petrol version, with which it shares a 108bhp power output, but in performance and economy terms that's where the resemblance stops.
For torque, of course, the HDi obliterates even the much more powerful two-litre VTS, providing 184lb/ft at 1750rpm compared with the top-of-the-range petrol car's 144lb/ft at 5000rpm. So it's a strong machine for overtaking and, as many miles on hill roads proved, it has an excellent attack on long gradients. There's also a considerable attraction in a sporty-looking car which has an extra urban fuel consumption figure of 67mpg.
But how sporty is the Xsara? Well, the current front-end appearance, with the revised headlamp design and more pronounced double-chevron motif goes very well with the coupé styling. It certainly looks the part.
To repeat the question, though, how sporty is the Xsara? Well, despite the fact that the Xsara WRC is Citroen's rally-winning car, the showroom turbo diesel model isn't set up for throw-around driving. That's not its proper milieu, although it's quite a mile-eater on any kind of main road or motorway. In fact, this is a very satisfactory car for the kind of long day's motoring to which we subjected it on several occasions.
It's fine to feel the momentum keeping up on long climbs, where the 2.0HDi engine can see off many cars which keep pace on the level, but at high cruising speeds there's no doubt that there's an oil-burner engine under the bonnet. The two-litre HDi engine doesn't sound as quiet in this application as in some other models.
While there are no complaints about the open-road performance, this Xsara isn't all that flexible when it comes to pottering around in town traffic. At 30mph, to maintain a suitable throttle response, I'd rather be in third than fifth.
The interior layout is neatly done, although I didn't think there was much pzazz about the white instrument faces used on the VTR. There's a certain amount of aluminium and carbon fibre-effect trim, and the fascia design, although very familiar by now, seems to have curves in all the right places.
There's plenty of space in the front cabin and, being a rebodied hatchback rather than a dedicated coupé, the Xsara has better rear seat space than some other cars in its class. Generous luggage space is a strong point too, even without any folding forward of the split rear seats. As with a number of other Citroens, though, there's a rather disconcerting amount of "give" in the front seat backs.
Equipment levels are pretty good for the price, with ABS, EBD, brake assist, front and side airbags, automatic air conditioning, variable power assistance for the steering, an automatic rear wiper, a stereo radio/CD player and guide-you-home headlamps all as standard. The hazard lights come on automatically in the event of panic braking.
There are plenty of small stowage spaces scattered around the passenger cabin, including those armrests on the doors which hinge open to reveal a very useful hideaway for odds and ends, and were, I think, pioneered by Citroen.
It has certainly taken a great deal of care with the exterior presentation of the VTR, whichever engine is fitted. There are 15" alloy wheels, front foglamps, and body-coloured bumpers, skirts, side rubbing strips, doorhandles and door mirrors.
And what body colours! The coupé styling can cope with - in fact, just loves - strong shades like Topaz Metallic (available only with this bodywork) and the stand-out Wicked Red Pearlescent. Yet if you prefer the chillier areas of the Xsara palette, there are metallic colours with no-compromise names like Arctic Steel and Icelandic Grey. Really, though, the coupé does look its best with juicier colours.
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