These are the first shots of Citroen's new World Rally Championship competitor, the DS3 WRC, undergoing serious testing ahead of its debut next year. Six-time World Rally Champion Sebastien Loeb drove the car for two days in France last week, the new car's first serious hit-out on gravel.
Citroen Australia has confirmed the regular, road-going DS3 will hit local showrooms in July or August this year; shortly after the new C3 goes on sale in June. The DS3 will be the French brand's answer to the growing list of premium compact cars that includes the MINI, Alfa Romeo MiTo and forthcoming Audi A1.
Loeb's chariot is a lot different to the standard DS3. Built to meet the new-for-2011 WRC regulations the DS3 WRC will be powered by a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine and run a state-of-the-art all-wheel drive system to help with traction on the slippery WRC stages.
Loeb was joined at the test by his Spanish teammate Dani Sordo and Citroen's test driver Philippe Bugalski.
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