GENEVA MOTOR SHOW: Citroen DS4 Racing Concept
Twin-chevron brand set to unleash storming version of its newly released DS4 compact hatchbackCitroen will use the coming Geneva motor show to reveal its DS4 Racing Concept, which previews the high-po version of the hatchback line-up that just landed in Australia.
As with the DS3 Racing that preceded it, the latest hotshoe is claimed to benefit from the know-how Citroen has gained from multiple World Rally Championship titles and, fittingly, it’s adorned by a carbonfibre diffuser, front splitter and wheel arch extensions.
The amped-up DS4 derives propulsion from a Citroen Racing-tweaked 1.6-litre engine that kicks out 191kW, making it the most powerful engine the Gallic brand has ever offered in a road car. It’s a relatively clean-running unit too, with CO2 emissions of just 155g/km.
Citroen has yet to reveal any performance figures for the DS4 Racing, but we’d guesstimate it will be capable of a sub-6sec 0-100km/h split and a top whack of 250km/h – putting it more or less on par with the Volkswagen Golf R and Renault Megane RS 265.
Naturally, the chassis has been uprated to complement the added grunt, and the DS4 Racing sits 35mm lower than the standard car, while front and rear tracks have been pushed out by 55mm and 75mm respectively.
Stopping power should also be up to the mark, thanks to 380mm front discs with four-piston calipers. The concept is also fitted with larger diameter 19-inch wheels and 235/40 tyres.
The concept isn’t festooned with decals or stripes, but the brawny stance hints at its brisk performance, while the textured-effect matt grey paint emphasises the muscular contours of the car. Other visual clues to its identity include a two-tone roof and two-tone wheels with a special DS4 Racing design.
The good news or bad news – depending on how you view it – is that the eventual production version of DS4 Racing is yet to be confirmed for the Australian market based on whether it complies with local homologation rules, and whether the local bean counters feel the business case adds up.
Hot-hatch aficionados will recall we missed out on the DS3 Racing as it didn’t meet local design rules. Let’s hope history doesn’t repeat itself…
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