Heat's On As Citroen Unleashes C4 VTR

Round the back, a distinctive spoiler sits on the hatch, and the model rides on 17-inch alloys. It will be available only as a three-door coup΃©, although there's speculation that a diesel variant using a 149bhp 2.2-litre HDI engine will be offered. But it won't be the flagship C4; in keeping with the company's model strategy, there will be an even hotter VTS version.

Inside, the VTR will come equipped with special sports seats, plus a leather-trimmed steering wheel and gearknob. The wheel's 'fixed centre' hub is to remain the same as in standard cars, although VTR badging will distinguish it from lesser models.

Aluminium details on the pedals, dashboard and instrument binnacle will hint at the car's sporty pretensions, while the seats are to be offered with the vibrating 'emergency lane change' function which appears in the rest of the line-up. It's designed to alert dri-vers if they fall asleep at the wheel. However, it's underneath those stylish body panels where things really start to hot up. This C4 will feature modified suspension and dampers, as well as revised steering with a quicker rack.

A sports exhaust system is new, too, producing a fruity engine note to appeal to enthusiasts while boosting the engine's efficiency and delivering greater performance. Power will be transferred to the front wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox, although Citroen's semi-automatic SensoDrive transmission will be available as an option.

However, the VTR won't be the most hardcore version of the C4 - we can reveal that a more driver-oriented rival to the Vauxhall Astra VXR and forthcoming Ford Focus ST is set to appear in 2006. The range-topper is to be called VTS in the UK, but is likely to have a different name on the Continent, where the derivative hasn't been as popular. Its styling will echo the look of the firm's C4 WRC rally car and it is expected to develop about 225bhp.

Other upgrades will include 18-inch wheels, a sporty mesh front grille and an even larger boot spoiler. The feisty newcomer is expected to have a top speed of around 150mph and is likely to be able to accelerate from 0-60mph in less than seven seconds. Other modifications over the VTR will include larger brake discs and a close-ratio six- speed gearbox. An automatic model is unlikely to be available.

The C4 VTS will be in stark contrast to the old Xsara VTS which, despite the name, offered very little in the way of driver involvement. It wasn't a great success on the forecourts, either.

Buyers can expect to pay around ΂£16,000 for the C4 VTR, which will be on sale by the middle of next year. Meanwhile, the VTS is set to cost approximately ΂£21,000 when it arrives in British showrooms a year later.