Citroën’s World Touring Car revealed!

Published Jul 25, 2013

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Only a month after confirming that it would enter the World Touring Car Championship in 2014, Citroën has released these pictures of the car that will be driven in the series by Sébastien Loeb.

And it's actually the first touring car to be to be designed in accordance with the new regulations, currently being prepared by the FIA for the category next year.

At the opening of the 2012 Paris Motor Show on 26 September - just after the world debut of the new C-Elysée sedan - Frédéric Banzet, Yves Matton and Sébastien Loeb said Citroën was considering taking part in the World Touring Car series.

Turns out the timing was no coincidence, as these pictures of the C-Elysée WTCC car show.

The C-Elysée is a C-segment sedan aimed principally at high-growth, international markets such as those in Latin America, the Mediterranean region, China and Russia.

Citroen CEO Frédéric Banzet said: "The World Touring Car calendar is genuinely global, with rounds in Latin America, Morocco, China and Russia, so it will be a real advantage to run a C-Elysée in this category, in front of large crowds of enthusiastic motorsport fans."

'RACY' LOOK

Firmly anchored to the tarmac on its 18" tyres, the C-Elysée WTCC has an integrated aerodynamic splitter under a front bumper that accentuates the double-chevron grille. Wider front and rear wings lend a decidedly 'racy' look, as does the full-width rear wing.

Prime mover is the same DOHC 1.6-litre, direct-injection turbocharged engine as in the DS3 WRC, with a wider booster flange to take power output up to 280kW at 6000rpm and 400Nm at 4500rpm, driving the front wheels through a Sadev six-speed sequential gearbox and a mechanical limited-slip differential.

Suspension is by McPherson struts with adjustable dampers all round, braking by ventilated discs with four-piston front and two-piston rear callipers, adjustable from the driver's seat.

The C-Elysée WTCC completed a shakedown run a few days ago and has now begun a programme of development tests; it will make its first public appearance at the Frankfurt motor show from 12 September.

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