Citroen C4 2.0 VTS Coupe and Astra 1.8 SRi Coupe
It's a real win to find even one, let alone two, distinctively stylish coupes below the $30K mark. No surprise, then, that the liftback C4 VTS and Astra SRi coupes stand out from the garden-variety hatchback crowd.
Though the C4 also comes in five-door 'saloon' form, the seductively attractive VTS Coupe is the pick of the bunch for style and driving's sake.
Priced from $29,990, the VTS has its own very spirited 130kW/202Nm 2.0-litre engine (shared only with the Peugeot 307CC Sport), supplied with five-speed manual gearbox; no automatic. Leather trim lifts the ante to $31,990 while a sunroof makes it $32,990. Metallic paint adds $700.
You may remember the SRi Coupe listing at $30,490, but model-range rationalisation has seen the former 110kW/210Nm 2.2-litre engine ousted by the 103kW/175Nm 1.8-litre engine used in the majority of Astras. So the Astra SRi Coupe now enters the fray at just $28,490. That's this group's lowest price point, even when $360 metallic paint is added.
The standard manual reverts from six-speed to the usual five-speed. With the $2000 optional four-speed automatic, maximum torque declines to 170Nm.
Although the smaller engine is an all-round honest worker, it inevitably costs some performance. Despite making over 57kW per litre (and above the class average), the SRi's 79kW per tonne power:weight factor blunts its utmost responsiveness. For example, even when stropped to the full, doing 0-100km/h in less than 10sec is a struggle for the SRi.
It's a very different story for the sexy Citroen. With 97kW/tonne going for it, the C4 VTS can rush from zero to 100 clicks in under 8.5sec, coincidentally keeping the Mazda 3 SP23 and Golf 2.0 Pacific (see link below) honest every inch of the way.
Astra's payback comes with group-leading fuel economy. Accepting regular 91RON petrol, where the C4 VTS cites premium 95RON, the Astra's official consumption number is a thrifty 7.2L/100km, to the Citroen's about-average 8.4L/100km.
The Astra also benefits from 64 per cent value-retention prospects, where Citroen's not-quite-mainstream standing is reflected in the VTS's high-50s forecast.
Besides driving more than competently in all respects, neither model shirks from offering impressive arrays of features. Both include six airbags and full complements of electronic driver aids. Beyond which, the SRi comes with standard with 'leather appointed' and heated front seats.
The centre-piece of the C4's Citroen-esque interior attractions is its unique steering wheel hub, which remains stationary when the wheel is turned. Tyre-pressure monitoring is provided on the love-me-or-leave-me digital dash.
WHICH ONE?
Everything considered, the C4 VTS and Astra SRi coupes prove the truism that opposites attract; in almost equal measure in this instance, though for very different reasons.
The Astra SRi steps forward as the safe bet. Although there's nothing outstanding about the underpinnings, almost all of which are shared with regular Astras, the coupe body has enough glam and individuality to brighten the SRi's aura. The sensible choice, then...
One of the market's minnows, the C4 VTS has an orthodox drivetrain and running gear, but the body design is something special from its aero-smooth nose to the vertical glass tail. And the arty interior is just what you might expect from Citroen. So, too, some ownership aspects, perhaps...
Thus the C4 VTS ranks as the less predictable choice, but conceivably could strike a stronger chord with owners wanting a car that's not just one of the herd.
See also
» Mazda 3 SP23 and Golf Pacific FSI (more here)
» Alfa Romeo 147 Monza 2.0 and Volvo C30 2.4i (more here)
» Renault Clio Renaultsport 197 and Honda Civic Type R (more here)
Article by Mike McCarthy. Updated 2009 by the Carsales Network