Citroen is set to debut its latest concept WRC car at the forthcoming 2016 Paris Motor Show.
The 2017 Citroen C3 WRC will compete in next year’s FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) as the automaker makes a move back to the motorsports world after taking a year off.
Several changes have been made to Citroen’s WRC model, with this concept featuring an increase in overall length and width, as well as the addition of a larger front spoiler, bigger rear wing and wider wheel arches.
The alterations mean the car is now 55mm longer than the 2015 Citroën DS3 WRC and a total of 1875mm wide.
Under the hood, the car is equipped with a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine capable of 380bhp – about 80bhp more than Citroen’s 2015 WRC model. Changes to the engine regulations in the championship means the car comes with a bigger restrictor that has helped push up the power.
In terms of overall look, the car has clearly been adapted for racing, with carbon wing mirrors, dual chrome chevrons and a gel capsule put on the canopy.
However, the concept C3 WRC remains relatively close to the new C3, so Citroen may be considering the release of a version to rival other popular sporty options such as the Fiesta ST.
As well as the new C3 racing concept, the Paris Motor Show will also see the appearance of a number of other new Citroen models, such as the E-Mehari, SpaceTourer, and the C4 Picasso.
Citroen Racing has a strong record with the WRC, having picked up eight manufacturer titles and 94 stage wins over the years.
The team is currently putting the C3 WRC through its paces as testing continues in Portugal – ahead of the car’s debut at the Monte-Carlo Rally in January 2017.
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