Paris Preview: Citroën shows off Loeb's new ride
The Paris Motor Show will be the venue for the formal unveiling of the final version of Citroën's C4 WRC rally car, the successor to the company's dominant Xsara, the car which propelled Sebastien Loeb to World Rally Championship stardom, and Citroën to three manufacturers championships (with Loeb's results in 2006 likely to make it four in a row).
The C4 WRC will replace the Xsara when Citroën re-enters the WRC with its factory team in 2007, led once again by Loeb. Like the Xsara, the C4 WRC features four-wheel drive, a 315 hp 2-liter turbocharged engine and a six-speed transverse-mounted semi-automatic gearbox. Front and rear differentials are mechanical, while the center diff is electronically controlled. The C4 WRC is larger than the Xsara, providing a larger, safer compartment for the driver and navigator. Unlike the last factory-run Xsara, the new C4 is more limited by the new WRC rules in the area of electronic driver aids, and major subsystems (engine, gearbox, differentials, shocks) must last longer before replacement.
More pics after the jump.
[Source: Citroën Sport]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
fizzandpop 2:59PM (9/07/2006)
I'll admit I know nothing about this year's rules, but isn't this a little bit, er staid? I expect my WRC cars to have massive wheel arch extentions, shortened wheelbases, aggressive wings and ridiculous air scoops. This looks like they've bolted on a few parts and are ready to go. Maybe the C4's design is so good they don't have to do much to the shape, but I'd expect it to be a bit more cartoonish.
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zeroSignal 3:21PM (9/07/2006)
That's a very good point, it looks a bit.. tame.
I just hope that Citroen won't go the way of Peugeot - their 206 kicked butt in the WRC, but when they changed to the 307 CC, their chances went down the drain.
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dt 10:00PM (9/07/2006)
"I expect my WRC cars to have massive wheel arch extentions, shortened wheelbases, aggressive wings and ridiculous air scoops. This looks like they've bolted on a few parts and are ready to go. Maybe the C4's design is so good they don't have to do much to the shape, but I'd expect it to be a bit more cartoonish."
Nah, you're thinking Evo or Scooby. Most WRC are a little more tasteful.
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Toby 8:51PM (9/07/2006)
Still should be a good show. Owners may like the fact that it looks more like their car.
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DAN SMITH 6:19PM (3/02/2007)
HOMOLOGATION SPECIAL:
DESPITE HAVING A GRILLE THAT LOOKS LIKE THE CARDIOGRAPH OF A NEAR-FLATLINED PATIENT, CITROEN'S C4 WRC PROTO LOOKS EXTREMELY HOT. BUT THE FRENCH DESIGNERS SEEM TO HAVE MISSED AT LEAST ONE VERY CRITICAL ELEMENT REQUIRED OF A SUCCESSFUL RALLY CAR; A SIZEABLE GAP BETWEEN THE FLOOR PAN AND THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE IN THESE PHOTOGRAPHS HAS ABOUT AS MUCH GROUND CLEARANCE AS A DUSTBUSTER. NOW, I IMAGINE THAT THERE ARE SOME OF YOU OUT THERE WHO ARE GRUMBLING TO YOURSELVES. "BOY, THAT DAN SMITH IS AN INSUFFERABLE TWIT! DOESN'T HE KNOW THAT CITROEN SIMPLY ISN'T GOING TO GIVE ANYONE A FREE PEEK AT THEIR REVOLUTIONARY NEW AVANT-27 SUSPENSION SYSTEM? HOW CAN HE BE THAT STUPID...!" WELL, PUTTING ALL OF THAT UNPLEASANTNESS ASSIDE, LET ME JUST SAY THAT AN STI-TYPE C4 HOMOLOGATION SPECIAL FOR US REGULAR GUYS WOULD BE PRETTY COOL; EVEN IF IT "ONLY" MADE ABOUT 290 BHP. THE WAY I SEE IT, MEETING OUR DOT/EPA SAFETY AND CLEAN AIR REGS WOULD PROBABLY ADD AT LEAST 200 LBS TO THE WEIGHT OF THE CAR, BUT THAT'S A COMPROMISE THAT I WOULD BE PERFECTLY WILLING TO MAKE. I'M DAN SMITH
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show cars 12:41PM (9/15/2006)
Who sad it have a 315 hp engine ?
All WRC - World Rally Cars are limited to 300 hp.
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