Citroen aims for repeat performance with DS3 WRC
Twin-chevron marque aims to remain at the pointy end of the WRC field as new regulations kick inThe World Rally Championship has been a virtual Citroen benefit for the past several years, and the French manufacturer has designs on again steamrolling the opposition in the 2011 championship.
Pictured alongside is the brand-new DS3 WRC, which may well extend the marque’s stranglehold on the manufacturers' title in the hands of the peerless Sebastien Loeb and Daniel Elena, who will be gunning for their eighth successive drivers' title.
They'll be backed up by Sebastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia, who have been promoted full-time to the works squad after an impressive run in 2010 that saw them notch up two victories.
Three more Citroen DS3 WRCs will be driven by privateers -- 2003 champ Petter Solberg, ex-F1 ace Kimi Raikkonen and Peter van Merksteijn.
Solberg and co-driver Chris Patterson will start all 13 rounds, Raikkonen and Kaj Lindstrom will do 10 rallies, while van Merksteijn and Eddy Chevaillier will start their season at the Portuguese Rally (March 24-27).
The DS3 WRC has illustrious wheeltracks to fill as the Xsara and C4 that preceded it racked up three manufacturers' world titles each. The first proof whether the newbie is dud or demon will be provided at the Swedish Rally (February 10-13).
Team boss Olivier Quesnel has made clear his goal of retaining the manufacturers' and drivers' titles in the WRC, which this year debuts new regulations, most notably in relation to the dimensions of the cars.
The DS3 WRC is more compact than the C4, which, according to Citroen, gives it "much more spectacular behaviour".
The revolution continues under the bonnet with the car powered by a 1.6-litre turbocharged direct-injection four-cylinder engine, designed in-house by Citroen Racing.
The engine is coupled to a four-wheel drive transmission with a manually controlled sequential gearbox and a constant power sharing system between the front and rear axles.
Although publicly unveiled at last September's Paris Motor Show, Citroen says the DS3 WRC has since undergone multiple test sessions to be ready for the nine-month season consisting of 13 rallies.
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