Citroen has launched its hottest mini hatch on to the Australian market. The new C2 VTS arrives with 90kW and will line up alongside its 80kW C2 VTR stablemate.

The basis for Citroen's reigning Junior World Rally Championship winning car, the C2 VTS is powered by a version of the same 1.6-litre engine that graces the VTR.

Along with an extra 10kW, the VTS gets a conventional five-speed manual gearbox. This replaces the VTR's unloved and unsuccessful SensoDrive automated manual.

The VTS now boasts 90Kw at 6500rpm compared to the VTR's 80kW at 5750. Torque is marginally down at 143Nm/3750rpm versus 147/4000.

Thanks to the added power and significantly lower gearing, the VTS accelerates from 0-100km/h in 8.3sec – down from the VTR's 10.9 according to the car makers own figures.

Top speed is marginally higher (202 v 195km/h) and academic Down Under. Of more interest to most purchasers is fuel consumption – up from 6.3lt/100km but still a frugal 6.9.

The C2 VTS gets four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and rolls on 16-inch alloy wheels and 45-series tyres. Front and side airbags are standard equipment as is aircon, power steering, power windows, remote central locking and so on.

The arrival of the VTS will see Australia's allocation of the baby Citroen increased explained Citroen Australia's Miles Williams:  "We are doubly pleased to be able to welcome the VTS to the Australian Citroen range, as it also marks a significant increase in the C2 allocation for this market."

According to Williams, VTR numbers have been stock constrained since the VTR's launch locally in 2004.

"It's the ideal combination," said Williams. "We now have a significantly better car and we have full free supply of the C2 VTS. There can be no doubt that the C2 can now, finally, fulfill its full potential in Australia!"

The Citroen C2 is priced from $23,990 ($2000 more than the C2 VTR) and is in dealers now..