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Photo of a Citroën C2

Citroën C2

The split-tailgate city hatch whose S1600 won 3 Junior WRC titles.123

Researched October 26, 2026 from 31 sources

At a glance

0100200
59–123 hpPower
0125250
165–202 km/hTop speed
0150300
94–260 N·mTorque
07501,500
932–1,050 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.359101213

Engine
1.1–1.6 L gasoline I4; 1.4–1.6 L HDi diesel I4312
Layout
Front-engine, front-wheel drive3
Gearbox
5-speed manual; SensoDrive automated manual, auto or paddles, no clutch pedal3
Built at
Aulnay-sous-Bois factory, France3

The story

Designed to win young drivers alongside the C3, the C2 offered sliding, folding rear seats and a two-piece tailgate; the base model had a rear bench.134

1999: Ploué, Coco and Son shape the C219992003: The Saxo successor starts at Aulnay · 4 Euro NCAP stars · 2,250 numbered GTs for the UK20032004: 123 hp and a close-ratio gearbox20042005: Stop & Start joins the range20052007: 110 hp and 260 Nm for the diesel VTS20072008: New hood, bumpers and grille20082009: Production stops in October2009 Citroën AX: 1986–1998Citroën AXCitroën Saxo: 1996–2003Citroën SaxoCitroën C2: 2003–2009Citroën C2Citroën DS3: From 2010Citroën DS3 198519901995200020052010201520202025
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones31920
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1986–1998Citroën AX
1996–2003Citroën Saxo
2003–2009Citroën C2
From 2010Citroën DS3
1999Ploué, Coco and Son shape the C2
2003The Saxo successor starts at Aulnay
20034 Euro NCAP stars
20032,250 numbered GTs for the UK
2004123 hp and a close-ratio gearbox
2005Stop & Start joins the range
2007110 hp and 260 Nm for the diesel VTS
2008New hood, bumpers and grille
2009Production stops in October
  1. 1999

    Ploué, Coco and Son shape the C2

    As Jean-Pierre Ploué takes charge of Citroën design, Donato Coco oversees Oleg Son, whose 1999 sketch previews the C2.5

  2. 2003

    The Saxo successor starts at Aulnay

    The three-door C2 joins the C3 in replacing the Saxo, with production at Aulnay-sous-Bois in France.3

  3. 2003

    4 Euro NCAP stars

    The European C2 gets 4 of 5 stars versus the Saxo's 2. At its 2004 Australian debut, front and side airbags plus ABS are standard.36

  4. 2003

    2,250 numbered GTs for the UK

    The GT combines a 110 hp 1.6-liter engine, a five-speed manual and weight-saving measures; its 2,250-car run is reserved for the UK.78

  5. 2004

    123 hp and a close-ratio gearbox

    The 1.6-liter VTS arrives with 123 hp, a close-ratio gearbox, thicker anti-roll bars, firmer springs and quicker steering.59

  6. 2005

    Stop & Start joins the range

    The 1.4-liter Stop & Start pairs SensoDrive with automatic engine shutdown; releasing the brake restarts the engine.37

  7. 2007

    110 hp and 260 Nm for the diesel VTS

    The 1.6 HDi VTS arrives with 260 Nm and 119 g/km CO2 emissions; official fuel economy is 64.2 mpg.710

  8. 2008

    New hood, bumpers and grille

    The C2 gains a reshaped hood, bumpers and grille; the new entry-level Furio omits the separate sliding rear seats.711

  9. 2009

    Production stops in October

    October ends the C2's run; its replacement, the DS3, arrives in January 2010.3

Every generation

  • Citroën AX
    Citroën AX1986–1998
  • Citroën Saxo
    Citroën Saxo1996–2003
  • Citroën C2
    Citroën C22003–2009
  • Citroën DS3
    Citroën DS3From 2010

Power over the years

From 59 hp to 123 hp in 1 year.

050100150 2002200420062008 hp 2003 · 59 hp · Launch 1.1i, 94 Nm2003 · 67 hp · Launch 1.4 HDi, 150 Nm2003 · 74 hp · Launch 1.4i, 118 Nm2003 · 108 hp · 1.6 VTR SensoDrive, 147 Nm2003 · 110 hp · GT 1.6i 16V, manual2004 · 123 hp · 1.6 VTS2005 · 89 hp · 1.4 Stop & Start SensoDrive2007 · 110 hp · 1.6 HDi VTS, tested 0–60 mph: 9.7 s 123 hp 1.6 VTS 59 hp Launch 1.1i, 94 Nm
357891012
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
200359Launch 1.1i, 94 Nm
200367Launch 1.4 HDi, 150 Nm
200374Launch 1.4i, 118 Nm
20031081.6 VTR SensoDrive, 147 Nm
2003110GT 1.6i 16V, manual
20041231.6 VTS
2005891.4 Stop & Start SensoDrive
20071101.6 HDi VTS, tested 0–60 mph: 9.7 s

Versions

12 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • L / LX / SX / Design (UK)

    Standard

    L / LX / SX / Design (UK)

  • Standard

    Furio (early UK)

  • Standard

    Vibe / Rhythm / Cachet (UK)

    2008–2009

  • Standard

    1.4 Stop & Start

    89 hp
  • 1.6 VTR SensoDrive

    Performance

    1.6 VTR SensoDrive

    110 hp

  • Performance

    1.6 VTS

    123 hp

  • Performance

    1.6 HDi VTS

    107 hp

  • Special

    Ministry of Sound

  • Special

    Airplay / Airplay+

  • Limited

    Code

    2007

  • by Loeb

    Limited

    by Loeb

    2007

  • Limited

    GT

    2003–2004

    110 hp

    2,250 built

How to spot one

Look for

  • Rear quarter windows dip sharply at their front edges, creating a kink in the side glass.4
  • Chunky front wheel arches cut into the leading edges of the doors.4
  • Two-piece tailgate, split horizontally across the rear.4
  • Stubby three-door body with a rounded nose and abrupt tail.4
  • Upright headlamps and a pronounced domed hood.13

Year by year

  1. 2005

    Rear turn signals gain clear, crystal-style lenses.5

  2. 2005–2006

    Cabin update brings a new stereo, revised instrument displays and changes to the center console.311

  3. 2006

    Mirrors become partly body-colored, side repeaters turn clear and VTR alloy designs receive small changes.3

  4. 2008–2009

    Facelift brings a new hood, a larger front bumper and a redesigned grille edged in chrome.37

Don’t confuse it with

  • Photo of a Citroën C2
    C2
    Photo of a Citroën C2 (China)
    Citroën C2 (China)

    Citroën C2 (China)

    Unrelated Peugeot 206-based namesake with altered ends; look for this family's stubby tail and dipped rear side glass.34

  • Photo of a Citroën C2
    C2
    Photo of a Citroën C3
    Citroën C3

    Citroën C3

    The C3 has five doors and rounded styling; the C2 has three doors and an angular body.34

Prices

Value today $2.8K–$3.8K27

Price when newAuction saleValue todayPrices on a log scale
$100$1K$10K$100K 2010201520202025 Value today: $2,805–$3,795 2007 · $26,800 · UK HDi VTS; approx. £1=$2.002008 · $25,151 · UK HDi VTS; approx. £1=$1.852009 · $18,050 · UK Stop & Start; approx. £1=$1.55 2023 · $483 · 2006 C2 VTR, mileage 134,000, Osta.ee2026 · $1,955 · 2008 C2, 98,739 km, non-runner (hammer), JUSTITIA $2.0K JUSTITIA, 2026
31014153031
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
2007Price when new$26,800UK HDi VTS; approx. £1=$2.00
2008Price when new$25,151UK HDi VTS; approx. £1=$1.85
2009Price when new$18,050UK Stop & Start; approx. £1=$1.55
2023Auction sale$4832006 C2 VTR, mileage 134,000, Osta.ee
2026Auction sale$1,9552008 C2, 98,739 km, non-runner (hammer), JUSTITIA
2026Value today$2,805–$3,795

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 12 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 13 stories from its legend
    • “A 225 hp C2 concept before the road car”
    • “Three Junior titles: Sordo, Ogier and Prokop”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 4 generations

  • Market

    • 6 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 31 sources
  1. C2 citroenet.org.uk
  2. Citroën C2 S1600 - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  3. Citroën C2 - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  4. Citroen C2 | The Independent | The Independent the-independent.com
  5. Une petite sportive fiable et pas chère ? Optez pour la Citroën C2 VTS caradisiac.com
  6. Citroen C2 | Safety Rating & Report | ANCAP ancap.com.au
  7. Citroen C2 (2003-2010) — New Car Net newcarnet.co.uk
  8. 2003 - 2004 Citroën C2 GT - Images, Specifications and Information ultimatecarpage.com
  9. Citroen C2 VTS - Car Keys carkeys.co.uk
  10. Citroen C2 VTS 1.6 HDi | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  11. Coup de jeune pour la Citroën C2 - L'argus largus.fr
  12. C2 citroenet.org.uk
  13. Prova su strada | Citroen C2 motorbox.com
  14. Citroen C2 Stop And Start | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  15. Citroen C2 HDi VTS | evo evo.co.uk
  16. Citro�n C-3 Airplay citroenet.org.uk
  17. 2008 '08' Citroen C2 1.6i 16v Code | oakwood-cars oakwoodcarsalesltd.co.uk
  18. Citroën C2 en C4 'by Loeb' | Auto55.be | Nieuws auto55.be
  19. Citroën AX - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  20. Citroën Saxo - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  21. C2 Citro�n Sport citroenet.org.uk
  22. TME Motorsport Engineering LTd - Featuring - New Build of Citroen C2R2 tme-ltd.com
  23. 2005 - Citroën C2 V6 par Sbarro - Aguttes aguttes.com
  24. Autozine - Nieuws: Batman begins met C2 autozine.nl
  25. EA Sports WRC Citroën C2 Super 1600 Setups · WRCsetups.com wrcsetups.com
  26. Le Maestros DLC Details - Celebrate French Rally Dominance ea.com
  27. Cote Citroën C2 2008 : prix en France et en Allemagne | Karoto karoto.fr
  28. Used Citroen C2 (2003-2009) review | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  29. Prix occasion Citroen C2 : cote et estimation 2026 autoestim.com
  30. CITROEN C2 - Genre : VP - Carrosserie : CI…, adjugé 1 700 € adjuge.io
  31. Citroen C2 VTS (204108739) - Osta.ee osta.ee
  • citroenet.org.uk
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • the-independent.com
  • caradisiac.com
  • ancap.com.au
  • newcarnet.co.uk
  • ultimatecarpage.com
  • carkeys.co.uk
  • autoexpress.co.uk
  • largus.fr
  • motorbox.com
  • evo.co.uk
  • oakwoodcarsalesltd.co.uk
  • auto55.be

Photo credits

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