Citroen Racing is getting ready for its big comeback to the FIA World Rally Championship, bringing with it a new challenge and adventure for a team with renowned expertise. It is also another way for the brand to support the launch of New Citroën C3: an energetic car with a unique shape that packs a real punch under the bonnet.
The world is getting an exclusive first look at the C3 WRC concept car at this year’s Paris Motor Show.
Designed by the Citroën style centre in partnership with Citroën Racing, the concept car offers an extreme version of New Citroën C3, muscular and chiselled, with striking visual design. The concept car heralds the arrival of the new rally car that will compete for the first time at the Monte Carlo Rally in January 2017.
Already boasting three Drivers’ World Championship titles* in the FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC), Citroën is also on the way to winning its third manufacturers’ title with the C-Elysée. The C-Elysée has encountered both sporting and commercial success in Citroën’s major international markets.
Citroën is making another push in its product offensive with New C3, and is preparing for success in the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC). The Citroën team is already more than familiar with the WRC, having won eight manufacturers’ titles and boasting a record 96 wins. Such a competitive championship is perfectly suited to the technical foundations of New C3 and its energetic character.
Very close to the finished WRC challenger, the C3 WRC concept car hints at the intentions of the Citroën style centre without giving away its final form. Based on New C3, it retains all of its curves and fresh appeal. This ultra-sporty, brawny, and chiselled version incorporates the stylistic elements of the production model: with its two-level light signature, two-tone body/roof and accents matching the colours of the roof. The exterior also stands out with a chassis 55mm larger than New C3, affording greater aerodynamic freedom including a spoiler for the front bumper.
The C3 WRC’s exterior has been adapted for the racing world with bumpers that accentuate the car’s look, as do the dual chrome chevrons that extend across towards the LED daytime running lights. The decorative touches have also been enhanced: the roof is adorned with a gel capsule and a yellow border.
As for the wing mirrors, they have been sculpted from carbon for a real racing look, and come in yellow to echo one of the colours available on New C3.
While the final version that will compete in the WRC will be fully compliant with FIA WRC regulations, the C3 WRC concept car is already almost there. Its width has been designed with these new regulations in mind, as have the front and rear aerodynamic spoilers. The final racing version will take all of these changes into account:
- Enhanced engine power to around 380bhp, made possible by enlarging the diameter of the turbo flange to 36mm
- Greater freedom with aerodynamics with a maximum width of 1875mm, a protruding front bumper and a rear bumper fitted with a diffuser
- An enlarged rear spoiler moved further back for even greater aerodynamic support
- The car is 25kg lighter
- Electronic differential control is now allowed.
Committed to an innovative approach, the brand is also unveiling a video showing the C3 WRC concept car in action. Filmed especially for the Paris Motor Show, it was produced by Citroën and ScanLab Projects, a specialist in ‘3D scanning’: an innovative image processing technique using scans and data. The video was filmed in late May at Rally Portugal, along 26km of the Marao course. Filmed entirely in black and white, this artistic direction fits perfectly with the brand’s desire to innovate.
While waiting for the C3 WRC’s debut on the Monte Carlo Rally in January 2017, visit the Citroën stand in Hall 1, Aisle C, Stand 320.
