Citroen C4 Coupe 1.6i Review: VTR stands for...

I had nearly 250km worth of drives in this car, driving around Singapore alone, and my word, is it comfortable. For a car with a torsion beam stuck in the back, the C4 in typical Citroen style, shocks you with its hump eating capabilities. Every major bump is dealt with as if it could chew through concrete.

So comfortable is the C4, that I would not recommend you drive it while you are half asleep in traffic, or while cruising along the highway. With that speed limiter in place, it makes life even easier as you need not watch your speed.

The engine is a free spirit. It revs freely, but being a 1.6, lacks any real push. This is where disappointment sets in if you’re a fan of power. For all its stylish, fast and might I even say, unconventional looks, it really doesn’t go as fast as it should, hence the range topping VTS with the 2 litre, 180hp engine (review coming soon!)

It is a slow car. However, its whirly-burly attitude towards corners is another thing altogether. This hatch turns in very, very well – way better than the standard Peugeot 207 1.6, and almost as good as the GTI variant!

The oversized A pillar meant obstructed vision through tight right handers. That’s a little scary, but otherwise, nothing you can’t overcome if you peer over the edge.

The VTR is extremely neutral, and exhibits a slight amount of understeer when you punt the car hard into a corner without the usual progressiveness. It holds true right to the rather high limit, despite the non sporty Michelins used.

This coupe's two-panel rear windshield brings back memories. Owners and fans of the EF9 model Honda Civic CRX will know exactly what I am on about. Trying to spot that motorbike proves to be quite the arduous task, and it creates a nice line of blindspots. Not dangerous, but more of a pain in the butt.

The C4 Coupe’s looks are a personal choice. What strikes me most perhaps, is that this car brings back the good old days of the CX “crab”. Those in the know will agree. If pushed, I would have to say the hatch has a little more in terms of classic elegance as compared to the Coupe, but either way really, for just over 76 grand, this might just be the cheapest two door conti one could find on the market.

Credits: Text and Photos by Kaiser Wilhelm