Citroen C3 WRC Concept Unveiled Before Paris Motor Show, It's Ready For WRC 2017

The all-new race car by Citroen is designed with inspiration from the 2017 C3, and it also marks the brand’s return to the FIA World Rally Championship.

Truth be told, Citroen never left per se, but the French corporation that owns it had employed the DS3 WRC as the replacement of the Citroen C4 WRC, thus the comeback. While the DS brand was driving its way through the WRC, Citroen focused on the FIA WTCC Championship with the C-Elysee.

The next season will bring a change of strategy, as Citroen will return its focus on the most absorbing branches of top level motorsport, the World Rally Championship.

We used the term "absorbing" because the WRC has plenty of show, but great skill is required to blend excellent stage times with showmanship and to finish a rally.

The new C3 WRC is built according to FIA WRC specifications, which include new front and rear aerodynamic elements, which will allow these cars to have more downforce.

Furthermore, it will also come with more power, which will reach about 380 HP thanks to the bigger turbo flange, which will be restricted to 36 millimeters.

The FIA has also let teams use wider cars, larger spoilers, cut the weight by 25 kilograms, and more aerodynamic freedom in general. Moreover, Citroen has also integrated an electronic differential control, which is another feature that is allowed by the 2017 rule book.

Citroen says that this “concept car” is very close to the race model, which still has a few tricks up its sleeve when compared to this example.

When compared to the standard car, the C3 WRC is larger and wider, for more aerodynamic performance. We already know that the side mirrors will be painted yellow on the competition model, while the concept has them in raw carbon fiber.

Citroen has even made a presentation video of the new C3 WRC, which was filmed in Portugal, on the Marão stage. The video is shot in black and white, and was digitally enhanced with ScanLab Projects to showcase the all-new concept from the French brand that has eight WRC constructor’s titles and 96 wins.