Citroen Saxo VTR vs VTS - which hot hatch is best?

Motoring presenter, Paul Woodford brings nineties car forum debates to life in his latest car film, featuring the Saxo VTR and VTS.
After all, are there two more discussed cars anywhere on the internet? Probably not.
Which is best; 8 valve or 16 valve; cloth or velour, power or airbags? You choose with this latest film from www.CarFilms.co.uk.
For more motoring content, visit the site, subscribe to Paul's motoring channel, and join the debate on Twitter - @PaulWoodford84.
Featuring rally car footage from Kevan Neal and Paul Adams.
#CarFilms

[@jimmyfarley5581]

I miss the days when cars were genuinely lightweight and 100bhp was decent.

[@iDayno]

My mum used to drive a black VTR a few years back and I remember it being quite a nippy little car. She sold it to a guy that wrote it off not long afterwards, which I'm sure is how most met their fate.

[@deankay6033]

Miss my little pocket rocket vts.

[@barryherron5351]

VTS was the better of the 2 by far, I had a VTR and my dad had a VTS about 19 years ago. My dad let me borrow his VTS and the difference in acceleration was very noticeable, that VTS engine was a proper little beauty.

[@azzy274]

I had both, I found they were very similar up to about 4000 RPM, after that is when you really noticed the extra 8 valves at play. Both handled absolutely brilliantly! Although I would say the VTR was a bit more reliable. But the VTS was definitely the more fun of the 2 as long as you took it past 4000 RPM. Having the red line at 7000 was also a god send. It would pull right up to the 7000 RPM Redline without hesitation

[@argonautsuk]

U took me back in the memory lane. Fab video. Thanks ☺

[@richmpiblue5220]

Picked a 2001 Citroen Saxo VTR up today. Love it!

[@mrtncpr7]

Nice one Paul, keep up the good work. I was driving company cars at the time, how I missed having these choices.

[@banksroadmodernimage7358]

Im stil running two saxo vts ive had since new back in 2002. Great fun little hatches..

[@DildosForChristmas]

I had a VTR a while back and even today it was super fun. It's like a go-kart and imo still looks pretty good.

[@DJ-JAY-Q]

One of the Best hot hatch ever made, this colour is one the best as well as being attractive 👍🏻😀

[@tiagobernardo6807]

great video, really well writen!

[@beany1987]

Had 2 vtrs and loved them nippy light easy to work on not complicated at all, only let down was the back suspension even with uprated shocks it was a little tail happy never really had a problem with understeer which you would expect from a front wheel drive car.

[@ron925]

Great video Paul! (the watch dude haha)

[@aleksandarjovicin6045]

You sound like the young R. Hammond. Keep the good work!

[@chakapitchou4458]

nice review mate

[@JT.Aquarist]

Miss my vtr. Good times.

[@danielgreener4574]

My friend had one and I remember it being a nippy little car with a good engine. I think it may have even been the 1.4 or the 1.1 but it was a fun car. Probably because it weighed similar to an empty drinks can and would provide a similar level of protection in a crash. Depressing to think that it was replaced by the C2. They simply don't make cars like this anymore though, not with ultra low emissions targets and euro crash tests to pass.

[@ektrolleyboy]

VTR had 90 BHP. Not 100! And the reason the VTS was so rare was the insurance packages that were available at the time. Citroen offered free insurance across their range. 17 year olds plus got free insurance on the regular model. 19+ on the VTR and 21+ on the VTS. I was 17 when it launched and it was the dream-machine for us all!

[@rip4273]

Mk1 VTR's had 90 bhp. The mk2 VTR had 100 bhp

[@-DC-]

I must have bought the last Citroen approved used Saxo vtr a 03 plate had done 27k in 2007, was a absolute bloody riot to drive.

[@samstevenson2520]

I’ve got one that’s a 03 plate.

[@goldminegaming6242]

I had the 16v with ITB's and a different pistons cams/head etc, had like 180hp and the car was stripped to the bare metal, just two race seats infront, thing was faster then a BMW M3 in corners and some straigt bits that werent too long lol... Sadly it got rammed by a truck on the highway when I needed to do heavy braking due to a traffic jam..

[@planes124]

I got a VTR brilliant cars they are worth driving around it as it’s fun and feels pretty fast especially for the size of the car.

[@MrFilmer87]

loved my vtr

[@sleepyrasta14820]

I haven't seen one of these cars in a long time

[@jamie123b]

I’ve got a VTS but it’s sorned in my grandparents garage atm

[@informediatech-bruno5766]

here in portugal i picking a mk2 saxo and covert it in to a 106 gti the vtr in portugal is called saxo CUP istead of saxo vtr

[@keithbeef]

I had a VTR and my bro had the VTS. Great times. I miss my dark blue VTR a lot.

[@warriorharj79]

What do you have now?

[@keithbeef]

@@warriorharj79 I don't have a car anymore :(

[@warriorharj79]

@@keithbeef oh that's unfortunate, planning on getting anything?

[@flyingwithmatt1986]

My first car was a Poseidon Blue 2001 VTR. I loved that car more than anything. Unfortunately wrote it off going too fast round a corner lifting off 😩. Replaced it with 2 more VTRs, then hit the big league and finally could insure an Icelandic Blue VTS. Which I ruined by lowering too much 😔. Replaced that by a Xsara VTS, that was miles faster and super comfy. Unfortunately it looked horrific and sold it for a Racing Blue 5:51 Clio 182. Ahhh to be 22 again 😢😢

[@signekreslina8022]

Proud to be an owner of a VTS loud little thing

[@macska7940]

Me too👍

[@dalejenkins1558]

Must admit I was always attracted to the saxo, having had mates with them that would give me a considerably hard time in races! The only reason I stayed away from one was the bad reputations most French cars had with their electrics during that era... My suzuki swift gti used to make mince of the vtr's though plus it was rare and had more looks than I would in a saxo

[@Soulrollsdeep]

I had a VTS for yonks and never had any electrical issues. The alarm would set itself off, but that was easily solved by simply not arming it.

[@kyle9025]

I owned a Saxo VTR in 2002, and I will have you know... I only went to mcds in the evenings. Not all the time.... apart from breakfast.... and lunch!

[@Mk7adxm]

Owner of a 2002 completelty standard saxo vtr in mint condition👍🏻

[@mrdaykurutakuchannel]

A cute n cool hatch with the french version of toyota's 4A-GE (both DOHC 16V and 1587cc displacement)

[@joshuaminke6629]

i have the c2 VTS code limited edition, pretty much the saxos replacement, and its brilliant

[@PugBoiGti]

No where near as good as a saxo vts or a vtr, I have a few french hot hatches from the late 80s like my MI-16 205 gti, mk1 vts, mk2 vtr, 106 gti, 206 GTI 180 and my latest one a 59 plate c2 lobe I like the extra room but the seating position, handling, gear ratio and flyby wire throttle ruins it for me

[@LorenzoClara97]

@@PugBoiGti gear ratio is better than the vts stock. The c2 has the 14x60 Yes it is slower, higher but with 195 45 r16 you can buy many semi slick tires, with r15 there aren't any good tires.. if the saxo had 50 sidewall instead of 45... The c2 is way faster than a vtr. To match a saxo with cup intake, 60mm exhaust and remap (140hp) you need to have at least 160hp on the c2

[@richmpiblue5220]

Might be buying a VTR on Sunday! lmao... Love them!

[@Alex-oh9ic]

did you buy it?

[@JohnSmith-lb6ww]

?

[@themisterwithnoname]

The portuguese Citroen Saxo Cup ! :)

[@Theguitarskater1]

Bruno Mansonaty ya, o vts!

[@fredschriks8554]

The Netherlands had Saxo Cup racing class. That was great fun!

[@EdgyNumber1]

I wouldn't want to crash in any of 'em though... VTR was the most popular boy racer hatch because of Citroen's free insurance and get-you-into-debt-quick 0% finance deal at the time. VTS wasn't covered by this.

[@LawrenceTimme]

Damn that was Harewood hill climb

[@familyman831]

I have owned both mk1 saxo VTR and VTS. and my favorite was my VTR, yes it was slower but it was more reliable and weirdly more fun to drive.

[@PugBoiGti]

Both just as good as each other, you could get the vtr with abs aswell, the vts "sports" seats had slightly more foam to bring the bolsters out compared to the vtr and the rear seats came with headrests. the spare wheel was also a series 2 106 michelin rallye steel (I have about 5 sets now from the old saxos and 106s I have sold and broken for spares)

[@warriorharj79]

The rims used on the 106 rallye?

[@PugBoiGti]

@@warriorharj79 the white steel wheels that the Rallye come with from factory, are unpainted under some saxos and certain 106's they come as a spare in black

[@warriorharj79]

@@PugBoiGti ah okay thanks, they look so good. I'm sure they suit the saxo too!

[@JohnSmith-lb6ww]

Is it worth upgrading to vts? I've got a vtr, just needs a little more power

[@PugBoiGti]

@@JohnSmith-lb6ww if you can get one for the right price I would 100%

[@aleddavies770]

99 vts is the one I want with the square lights and sunroof

[@dumifashion1]

Citroen Saxo 1.6, 16V, 72.000 km, 1998 for sale! I buy the car in 1999!

[@martinallenuk]

I've revived a few VTS now. Very difficult to get an unmodified example now.

[@Chief81]

Martin Allen I’ve got an unmodded VTS, silver 114,000 miles looking to sell but don’t know what it’s worth?

[@beany1987]

I had the lowest saxo in the uk, it was lowered all the way down, then the torsion spring collapse then it went and cracked the rear arches and was using the bodys flex as suspension 😂😂.

[@marnix484]

question in the netherlands (as far as i've seen) there is also a 1.4vts and 1.6vts,anybody knows if there is a difference?

[@vascovilhena7412]

In Portugal the VTR is called VTS and the VTS is called "Cup". I don't know about the Netherlands dough. Guess they fiddled a bit with model names from country to country...

[@ukkanjo5906]

The vts was defiantly the better of the two, I had two of them, a black 1998 vts which had the square headlights which looked far better and more aggressive imo, this I wrote off shame as it was mint with only 60k miles. I was gutted so bought another black 2000 reg vts end up doing quite a bit of work to this one, cams, port n polish, injectors straight through saxsport exhaust among other things ended mapping to 160bhp was a little go cart, sold it and the new owner wrote it off shortly after lol rip.

[@geckopubg]

i picked up my mk1 2002 in 2008 with 60000 miles, only cost 1400 at the time, absolute blast to drive, im trying to find an untouched one atm.

[@CarFilms]

Sam Prince this one is for sale at the moment - check it out on eBay and email [e-mail] if you’d like more details.

[@familyman831]

I bought my mk1 saxo vtr for 450 with 90k on the clock in 2011 and I bough my VTS in 2014 for 600 I think with 70 on the clock.... but came to find the piston rings were blown and I sold it for £250.... what a tool

[@michaelcurrie58]

Had the vtr myself, came up cheap and loved it, brilliant car till it got written off Fully fledged in boy racer

[@andrewfield8562]

Had a v reg poseiden blue VTR lowered 40ml front and back with Oz multi spoke 17s and lexus lights back in the day thought I was the dogs bollocks 😂😂😂

[@SA-zoom1]

driving around a 52 plate car and going on about the 1990s? the hot hatch market was pretty much shafted in the nineties due to insurance costs.

[@JacobEjgaard]

52 plate?

[@shughume]

When did the Saxo come onto the market? You'll find it was the 90's...

[@Schwarzwald1933]

I suddenly felt like high school kids 1:31 90s

[@GeorgeAusters]

Ahh the 2002 90s hatchback!

[@d31zzz_]

Pre facelift was late 90s but they were mostly 2000s

[@solitaryclusterofneurons598]

1996-2004 model years dude. Technically 1991 if you consider it's just a 106 with a different badge

[@gwl78]

Thought it was Richard Hammond at first.

[@EugVR6]

16v is best....more power more torque and lots of revs and better economy. It was also faster to 60 mph and 100mph and top speed of the 205 1.9 of my generation...whats not to like about that😊

[@69bock69]

never had vts. always wanted one. had 3 door cosworth , corrado vr6, mr2 turbo and missed it .

[@Thorndyk3]

Still have my untouched, unmodified, less than 60k milage VTR. Just saled through it's MOT!

[@germalean88g77]

Joseph McLean 😂😂😂😂 u say that like its worth sumthing???!!! Its a piece of shit 😂😂

[@mikeh2006]

I had one when i was younger, a vtr. Sold it to my dad ten years ago. He's still using it now. It's only ever had a brake caliper replaced and new exhaust in 100k miles. Terrible ride, terrible cheap plastic interior. Great fun to drive and pretty quick. I think the biggest surprise is how reliable it's been. Still on its original clutch...

[@slideways8022]

@@germalean88g77 An Expensive turd now (if you so believe). Probably £4k for something like that

[@andrewwright.]

Vtr lower compression so better for boost.

[@wadebiddlecombe5486]

I went for the 106 sxi 1.6 it looked alot better

[@aleddavies770]

Will these go up in value?

[@willhaer2894]

They already are

[@barnahalo6916]

Yes, they did. :(

[@leejones7139]

I'd much rather have a 106 gti, basically the same car with nicer styling and better seats.

[@familyman831]

I prefer the looks of the saxo. Plus the interior was much nicer in the saxo but that's imo. But the 106gti are going for big bucks atm

[@happychappers8311]

You forgot your burberry cap init 😎 i think the 106 gti looks better, i know it's the same car under the skin but it dosen't have that chav, counsil estate image attached to it like the saxo does.

[@69bock69]

saxo looked more sporty

[@mrroadrage6804]

That maccies cup is as empty as my life...

[@leoshedden9199]

Vtr 1.6 8v ohc 90bhp, vts 1.6 dohc 16v

[@dkz_neko_8631]

I love vtr

[@GeorgeAusters]

I bet all the lights don’t work on either of them!

[@jobbiejew]

I’ll continue to think I drive a Lambo when in reality I drive a shitty 2012 232k 92hp Citroen Berlingo Multispace B9 1.6 HDI 8v 9HP. Anyone for any ideas how to make a popemobile slightly faster other than replacing said popemobile and replacing the slightly fat driver?

[@AsekiBekovy]

The Saxo is a car to avoid no matter what engine.

[@aleddavies770]

Reminds me of Aaron Paul

[@jeancharlesrabaux5658]

The saxos vts the big boss the saxons is the saxos gtr bie turbo the cars is 530 hoseepower motors bie turbo 0 60 3s speed maxi is 325 kmh

[@jeancharlesrabaux5658]

The saxos is one disign saxons the yes nem in frenchy

[@j_c2225]

Why do you keep saying 90s. These cars were a pure 2000s ting

[@CarFilms]

Both of these cars came out in 1997, and while the cars in the film are post 2000 models, the concept, design, spec and soul (?) of the sporting Saxo belongs to the nineties. By the time the 2000s came along, these cars were getting left behind - they are both nineties hot hatches. But, it’s an opinion - you’re welcome to your own. That’s how this works - thanks for watching. 👍🏻

[@j_c2225]

@@CarFilms i experienced the early 2000s. Every single one of my mates bar one had a saxo. And everyone I knew raged about them and Vauxhall corsas. Not in any way were these cars left behind until around 2008. But like you said, it’s an opinion

[@j_c2225]

@@CarFilms the saxo was the 2000s equivalent to the 90s Nova. I’m sure anybody who enjoyed our boy racer days would agree

[@CarFilms]

@@j_c2225 sure, good point. But they were designed and made in the ‘90s - can you imagine any performance car having such a long shelf life today? Crazy!

[@j_c2225]

@@CarFilms Old means gold. They don’t make cars like they used to. My Neice’s boyfriend has just bought a saxo for his first car. I think it’s an 03 plate. Performs like brand new!

[@DAN-xb3vm]

I had a vts tour de corse number 13/20 when I was about 18, it got put through someone's house literally 2 days after I swapped it for a s14a 200sx by the blokes girlfriend

[@jasonjuggler3457]

where did this happen? Swansea?

[@usedtobeindemo1299]

why is my man carrying round an empty maccies cup 😂

[@irish-thinker4429]

If you get it wrong on a bend your on your roof Trust me

[@ewanmartin1386]

Drinking out of a empty cup😂

[@mrorangepeel659]

I refuse to watch.. it’s like saying which is better out of an XR3i and RS Turbo

[@roberthorne7335]

My insurance figures ( for a 17 year old ) vtr = 2k and the vts = 18k 🤣

[@LorenzoClara97]

18k to insure a saxo vts? Are you drunk? In italy it is about 300€ ahah

[@slideways8022]

@@LorenzoClara97 UK insurance prices for you, the motto is get old or get fucked

[@JamieR1988]

It's from the 00's not 90's lol

[@tommcmahon14]

Saxo vtr came out in 1996

[@michail_iliadis]

just throw the cup...

[@ungurdani8346]

.. Salut my friend super car super video subscribe subscribe

[@massimogiuliano2055]

Allora la r fa più schifo della s? Pensavo il contrario

[@jeancharlesrabaux5658]

The saxos on gtr bie turbo is 2012 one cars miamiam the super cars just one cars look normal passe partout mais en réalité one big sleeper 530 hoseepower 0 60 3s no serious one cars in 2012 is _ 90 mil euro one cars mangeuse de super cars immaginer c est gros riche dans leur porsche lamborginie ferrarie boumm une saxos saxons the numbergrin adios amigos just one leteel cars frenchy

[@kjbaccordtypes1512]

It ain't a hot hatch lol

[@carsnracing8200]

It is

[@robertkloppner4803]

Warum juckt mein Saxo?

[@tokestermarshall]

I miss my Nova GSI that creamed these rubbish ha ah

[@joshyy9417]

I dont really like it🤐

[@willhaer2894]

Its a car you need to drive to understand how fun they are

[@gianluigiragonese]

Ugly cars.... in the dump, both!