If Citroen's C2 VTS typifies the spirit of the new Max Power generation, then maybe middle class England needn't worry. Here's a Hot Hatch that is clean, safe and not overly fast. It's even quite visually restrained. All of this, you'd think, wouldn't endear the car to those into drainpipe exhausts and go-faster furry dice. You'd be wrong however. All the signs are that this hotted-up little Citroen is taking up where it's Saxo VTR and VTS predecessors left off.

It was to find out why that we added this C2 to our long term test fleet and it's rarely been without an enthusiastic keeper ever since. That's more unusual than it might sound. Hot Hatches tend to have a sharp but short appeal, with the buzz wearing off when the downsides in noise, hard ride and practicality become apparent. This car has proved to be different.

Maybe we should have expected as much. After all, Citroen have been quite open about the compromises made to give this car a broader appeal. They could, for example, have given the VTS much more power than the 125bhp actually on offer. But that would have upped the £12,895 asking price and certainly upped the group 8 insurance. The 40mpg combined fuel consumption figure would have taken a nose-dive too.

All this has ensured that the flagship C2 has been well received by those who have to use it as everyday transport. More surprising has been the reaction of those young 'Max Power'-generation customers who see it as a starting point. These people wouldn't have thanked Citroen for going all the way with potent engines and wild bodykits. These things can be added according to (dubious) taste. What they wanted was a good chassis, cheap insurance and easy finance - and Citroen have happily provided all three.

"You could spend twice as much on a Hot Hatch and in many situations, end up not having as much fun."

The 125bhp engine offers up its power in a very smooth, linear fashion. There are no discernable flat spots in the rev range where you're left twiddling your thumbs waiting for the acceleration to kick in. Instead, the high-revving unit promptly oozes into action whenever you tickle the throttle. This means that overtaking is rarely a chore and, in proper sportscar style, the real fun is to be had when you venture into the screaming upper extremities of the rev range. Conversely, the real bonus so far as this engine's measured power delivery is concerned, is in it's relaxed low speed performance. Like it or not, most C2 VTS models will be spending most of there time pottering around town at 30 or 40mph but the car is quite at home in this scenario.

Unlike many more focused hatchbacks, you don't feel like the engine is chomping at the bit as you crawl along in traffic. The VTS is much like a regular 1.4 supermini until you ease the power on and let the engine note rise, then 0-60mph in 8.1s is on the cards. Keep things sensible and 40mpg average fuel consumption might be achievable - that's definitely more regular 1.4 supermini than hot hatchback.

The suspension on the VTS has a pronounced sporty edge but the feedback from the wheels that you need in a hot hatch isn't too intrusive. Speed humps present little problem, either in terms of grounding at the front or the catapulting of rear seat passengers into the roof lining, and manhole covers aren't made to feel like cattle grids. The front end has plenty of grip with the traction control intervening only under serious provocation or in slippery conditions and the steering is accurate on the turn in.

Driving another car then getting behind the wheel of the C2 VTS, it's important to make a mental note concerning the brakes. There's some considerable travel on the middle pedal but when the ventilated discs bite, they do so in tenacious fashion. It's easy to apply them a little too firmly in an absentminded moment, in which case a look in the rear-view mirror at the sheepish face of the driver behind should be indication enough of how abruptly the C2 has halted. Of course, when it comes to avoiding accidents, anchors this effective could be invaluable and there's ABS, EBA and EBD to ensure optimum stopping power is always applied. So far as the other key controls go, the gearchange is not the slickest you'll come across with its loose, long-throw action but the thick steering wheel feels good in the hand. The drilled aluminium pedals look the part but caution is required in the wet because a damp-soled trainer can easily slip from the polished surface at an inopportune moment.

Dark grey plastic predominates inside the cabin of the VTS and although it may be a trifle dull for some tastes, the quality of the materials is good. The simple ball and socket air-vents are an ingenious piece of design and, along with their silver boarders, these do much to raise the tone. The buttons on the centre console are large, chunky and solid to the touch as is the fat handbrake lever, you get the impression that the VTS will stand the test of time with some aplomb. Storage space is less of a strongpoint with only a seriously confined glovebox and a couple of narrow door pockets to speak of in the cab and just enough room for a large holdall or similar in the boot. Rear seat accommodation seems confined when you glance over your shoulder from the front but climb back there and things aren't so bad. The long base section to the seats means that two adults could be accommodated on a short journey so long as the front seats aren't in their rearmost positions.

As you may have gathered, we've enjoyed our time with this car a lot more than we expected to. You could spend twice as much on a Hot Hatch and in many situations, end up not having as much fun. Whoever would have thought that joining the Max Power generation could make this much sense?

TOP 2 C2 DEALS

The results below show the top C2 deals on buyacar

	Citroen C2 1.6i 16V VTS 3dr Hatchback
	ETR	Mthly £180	Saving £2,522	Price £10,196
	Citroen C2 1.6 HDi 16V VTS 3dr Hatchback
	ETR	Mthly	Saving £2,764	Price £10,930

typical 12.83% APR

PCP finance quote over 48 months,  10,000 miles pa,  deposit of £1000