Citroen C-Elysée Revealed As 2014 WTCC Car

[OverTake.gg]

A month after confirming that it would be entering the World Touring Car Championship in 2014, Citroën can now reveal the model that will be driven on the circuits by Sébastien Loeb. The Citroën C-Elysée WTCC will be the very first vehicle to be designed in accordance with the new regulations, currently being prepared by the FIA for the category next year.
On 26 September of last year, at the opening of the 2012 Paris Motor Show, Frédéric Banzet, Yves Matton and Sébastien Loeb announced that Citroën was considering taking part in the World Touring Car Championship. A few minutes earlier, the C-Elysée had just been unveiled for the first time to the world’s media. Ten months on, these two events come together again with the release of the first pictures of the Citroën C-Elysée WTCC!

Benefitting from the best of the Brand’s expertise in terms of style, development and quality, the Citroën C-Elysée is a C-segment saloon aimed principally at high-growth, international markets such as those in Latin America, the Mediterranean region, China and Russia. Widely acclaimed by customers, the Citroën C-Elysée is already 30% ahead of its initial sales target, with 30,000 orders placed.

“Choosing the C-Elysée as the basis for our WTCC car reflects very clearly our determination to use racing as an active means of supporting our commercial development,” emphasized Frédéric Banzet, CEO of the Citroën Brand. “With rounds in Latin America, Morocco, China and Russia, the WTCC race calendar is genuinely global, and it will be a real advantage to run a C-Elysée, a key driver of our growth, in front of large crowds of enthusiastic motorsport fans.”

“From a strictly technical perspective, the choice of a three-box saloon body was ideal in terms of aerodynamics. C-Elysée was therefore the perfect choice,” added Xavier Mestelan-Pinon, Citroën Racing’s Technical Director. “Apart from this aspect, we were able to install the various components fairly easily. Insofar as this is our first track racing car, we constantly had to ask ourselves questions about the relevance of our choices, but that’s what makes this a particularly exciting challenge.”

Firmly anchored to the tarmac on its 18-inch wheels, the C-Elysée WTCC is quite simply formidable. Featuring an integrated aerodynamic splitter, the front bumper accentuates the radiator grille with its prominent double chevron. The widened front and rear wings lend the car’s bodywork a decidedly racing feel. At the rear, the stylish rear wing will ensure that the car hugs the track.

Under the bonnet, the Citroën C-Elysée WTCC is powered by the same 1.6-litre direct injection turbocharged engine as the DS3 WRC. With a wider booster flange, power output is now close to 380bhp. The car comes with a front-wheel drive transmission, controlled by a six-speed sequential gearbox.

After making its first track outing a few days ago, the Citroën C-Elysée WTCC has now begun a programme of development tests. The car will make its first public appearance at the Frankfort International Motor Show (12-22 September).

Source: Citroen Press Release

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[Nox]

Well, I think the car looks quite good. I'm looking forward to seeing them on the grid.

 

[M1GHTY M4VS]

I'm on this Loeb getting WTCC title if the car holds atleast Top 10 Potential

 

[Kacper Kolodziejczyk]

Oh my, they didn't joke around when they say next year cars are going to be more powerful... 380hp, in a front wheel drive, going to be interesting for sure. On the car, it looks good, looking forward to seeing it on track

 

[Trebor901]

380bhp isnt much more than they have now and they have limited slip diffs so not really an issue with the fwd thing

 

[M1GHTY M4VS]

380bhp isnt much more than they have now and they have limited slip diffs so not really an issue with the fwd thing

well atleast an additional 60-80 hp, seeing of how much this does in KERS is quite something still
They could bring this to pikes peak and still get a decent amount of a rallye car if they will.

 

[Kacper Kolodziejczyk]

As far as I know, Cruze's 1.6T engine has 310hp, so around 70hp increase and more developed aero should make these a whole lot faster. I don't think I've ever seen before a fwd race car with such power

 

[Xosé Estrada]

Not sure why they choosed the low-cost model for the WTCC instead the DS4 for instance.

 

[JvMr]

I thought wtcc is RWD, BAH.

 

[Bram Hengeveld]

The BMW is the only RWD car in the WTCC.

Must say the Citroen looks fantastic.

 

[Marcel vd Aa]

Xosé Estrada From what I understand they opted for this model because of marketing benefits. With the Western-European car market almost at a standstill and this model being built for the Eastern-European, South American and North African market it makes sense to use this model over the more expensive DS cars. The potential sale numbers could be big if this car scores strongly.

 

[Bram Hengeveld]

Gosh you would almost think that this and last years "choice" of "quality" race circuits would have something to do with marketing benefits

Lets hope when the economy is out of the crisis the WTCC chooses to visit the UK and Germany again.

 

[M1GHTY M4VS]

Gosh you would almost think that this and last years "choice" of "quality" race circuits would have something to do with marketing benefits

Lets hope when the economy is out of the crisis the WTCC chooses to visit the UK and Germany again.

Yeah right now they rather have to rely on their own series tho, the bigger series are there but UK has BTCC still, germany a mix of cups.
DTM, GT Masters and VLN are quite growing.
And both have PCC and Scirocco Cup but having another mixed entry would be cool.
It seems weird that F1 grows every year and small series struggle to fill the calender.

 

[Nox]

This is the second season of WTCC I've watched (was previously unable to see it where I live - and I absolutely love it!) so go easy on me if I am wrong, but isn't the next race at Argentina a new track for WTCC? Is that a good move?

And, what tracks were previously in WTCC that you'd like to see return?