Wizened oldies might gleefully remember the Visa GTi, while a little more recently there was the iconic AX GT and the massively popular Saxo VTR and VTS twins.

Following in the footsteps of the Saxo hasn't been an easy task for the Citroën C2 but the VTS and VTR variants are starting to establish themselves as the prime pick for the nation's younger drivers who want their first quickish car without monster insurance premiums.

Virtually as strong as Citroën's reputation for building pocket rockets is its facility for attractive offers and discounts and very few customers will pay full retail for something like a C2 VTS.

The Code special edition model tacitly acknowledges this, offering a decent slug of extra equipment for a bargain price.

The C2 Code is powered by a 125bhp 1.6-litre engine that's enough to punt it to 60mph in 8.1 seconds and on to a top speed of 126mph.
This sixteen-valve unit never feels particularly rapid, but a look at the torque curve shows why.

It's so broad and flat that there's enough urge for overtaking right across the board with no awkward flat spots or the screaming peaks associated with old fashioned multi-valve engines.

This makes the car feel a good deal more relaxed than its racy looks suggest but it's an easy car to maintain pace in and deceptively quick arriving at corners.

The five-speed manual box is a good deal more conventional than the paddle shift system offered on the VTR model and features close ratio gearing to extract maximum performance from the willing engine.

Citroen could probably have made the engine a good deal more powerful had they wished, but in order to keep insurance costs manageable, they've pegged the power at 125bhp.

As you would expect from a car that measures just 3,666mm from stem to stern, there's not a whole lot of space to spare if a long-legged driver sits up front.

The sliding rear seats help divide space between the luggage bay and the rear to a certain extent, but in no way could the C2 be forwarded as practical family transport.

Two holdalls will just about fit into the boot at maximum extension although Citroen's split rear hatch helps in this regard.

Despite being even shorter than a Saxo, the C2 Code is able to seat four in comfort.

Lessons have been learned from the reception given to the C3 interior and the C2 adopts many of the funkier styling touches such as the ventilation system and the bar rev counter while introducing a few of its own.

The latest cars feature an upgraded dashboard with silver detailing, which brings a pleasantly up-market feel to the cabin.

The sports seats grip well, the air-conditioning offers a decent blast of cold air and the stereo isn't bad.

There's little doubt the C2 Code offers a lot for your money.

The £10,695 asking price is nearly £3,000 less than the Saxo VTS was at launch all those years ago, and includes air-conditioning, a CD stereo and ESP stability control as well as the Code-specific leather trim, heated front sports seats and aluminium gear knob.

On top of that, there's a full-length roof-stripe, a chrome exhaust pipe and 16-inch alloy wheels. Code customers also get to chose between iron grey pearlescent or dynamic black paint finishes.

Few retail customers will really be paying more than £10,000 for a VTS, but even then, the Code's package of extras still looks good value.

Where this car scores is in offering a beautifully-judged compromise between performance and affordability.