Having formalized its commitment last June for the next FIA WTCC* with Sébastien Loeb driving, Citroën unveiled the car with which the nine-time World Champion Rally champion will vie for a new international crown: the C-Elysee WTCC.
“The choice of the C-Elysée as the basic model to build our WTCC car illustrates our willingness to actually use the competition as an active means to support our business development,” said Frederic Banzet, Managing Director of Citroën. “With locations in Latin America, Morocco, China and Russia, the WTCC calendar is truly global and it will be a real asset to run a C-Elysee as a key driver to our growing audience of motorsport enthusiasts.”
The Citroen C-Elysee is relatively unknown in Europe, because it is manufactured abroad, primarily for emerging markets, where the WTCC is very popular.
Powered by the 1.6-liter direct injection engine which is already the DS3 WRC, the C-Elysee WTCC will have an output of 380 hp (transmitted to the front wheels). It will be equipped with a six-speed sequential gearbox, 18-inch wheels and an extensively revised bodywork (rear spoiler, front blade and flared fenders).
The C-Elysee WTCC has already been on the track for a few practice sessions before its debut. It will be officially presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show (Sept.12 – 22 / 2013).
* – The FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) is an international Touring Car championship sanctioned by the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile).