CITROËN C-ELYSÉE WTCC TO TAKE ON THE WORLD’S CIRCUITS

Citroën C-Elysée WTCC

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).

Technical Specifications - C-Elysée WTCC

Chassis
Structure  : Reinforced body with welded, multi-point roll cage
Bodywork  : Steel and composite fibre

Engine
Type : Citroën Racing - 1.6-litre turbocharged direct injection engine
Bore x stroke : 82x75.5mm
Capacity : 1,598cc
Maximum power  : 380bhp  at 6,000rpm
Maximum torque :  400Nm  at 4,500rpm
Specific output  : 237.8bhp/litre
Distribution : Double overhead camshaft / 4 valves per cylinder
Fuel feed  : Direct injection controlled by Magneti Marelli unit

Clutch
Type : Carbon-fibre twin-disk

Transmission
Type  : Front-wheel drive
Gearbox  :  Sadev six-speed sequential – Manual control
Differentials  : Mechanical self-locking differential

Brakes
Front  :  380mm ventilated discs with four-piston callipers
Rear :  300mm  ventilated discs, with two-piston callipers
Distribution : Adjustable from cockpit

Suspension
Type  : McPherson (front and rear)
Shock absorbers : Adjustable

Steering
Type : Hydraulic power-assisted steering

Wheels
Dimensions  :  10x18-inch wheels – Yokohama tyres (Ø 660 x 275)

Dimensions, Weight and Capacities
Length/width :  4,577mm/1,950mm
Wheel base :  2,700mm
Track  :  1,750mm (front and rear) Fuel
tank : 50 litres
Weight  : 1,100kg with driver (regulations)

[Source : CITROËN]