Designed by the Citroën style centre in partnership with Citroën Racing, the concept car offers an extreme version of the new Citroën C3 supermini – muscular and chiselled, with striking visual design.
Citroën is making another push in its product offensive with its 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.
Very close to the finished WRC challenger, the C3 WRC concept racecar hints at the intentions of the Citroën style centre without giving away its final form. Based on the 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 longer than the new C3’s, affording greater aerodynamic freedom that includes 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 looks, 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 for the new C3.
While the final version that will compete in the WRC will be fully compliant with FIA WRC regulations, the C3 WRC concept racecar 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’s weight has been reduced by 25kg
• Electronic differential control is now allowed. 
Read about another Citroen star car at Paris Motor Show 2016, the CXperience Concept.
