Citroën DS3 Racing – another Geneva preview

The pre-release of images and details prior to Geneva continues with Citroën showing off its new DS3 Racing. It will be limited to just 1000 cars and is schedlued for European relase in the latter half of this year. Looking at the images, well, she’s a bit lairy, don’t you think! But in a good way. Although that opinion will vary wildly among readers I am sure.

Based on the DS3 THP 150 we first saw last August, the DS3 Racing version trades off the company’s rally success and has been sent to Citroën Racing for a bit of a going over. Le boffins fiddled around with the 1.6-litre engine and its electronic brain to increase peak power by 30% and torque by 15% to 200bhp and 275Nm.

While they were doing that some spare boffins found time to sharpen the steering, drop the ride height by 15mm and, perhaps most significantly, widen the front and rear tracks by 30mm. That last tweak should offer superior road holding to ensure there is plenty of fantastique froggy cornering goodness.

As if the orange paint detailing didn’t scream loudly enough that this is a more sporty DS3 there’s also a bunch of stickers plastered all over the car to help ram the point home. In a weird sort of way the more Citroën pushes the envelope in this regard, the more appealing it becomes.

More pics after the break, I’d love to hear what you think of the DS3 Racing’s wild looks.

UPDATE: Press release from Citroën Australia has been added below, which drops a hint that we might see the DS3 Racing in Australia.

UPDATE 21 Feb: When asked if the DS3 Racing would be coming to our shores Citroën Australia spokesman Edward Rowe replied, “It’s possible, we will not know for certain until the end of the year.”

CITROËN UNLEASHES 200HP LIMITED EDITION DS3 RACING AT GENEVA

• Citroën is unleashing a hot new DS3 at the Geneva Motor Show – the limited edition 200hp DS3 Racing.

Developed by Citroën Racing – the winning team behind five WRC manufacturer’s titles and six driver’s titles for Sébastien Loeb and Daniel Elena – DS3 Racing is a special edition with a 100% sporting pedigree. Planned for the second half of 2010, the exclusive DS3 Racing will be limited to just 1000 production units.

With integrated carbon-trimmed components and specialist motorsports equipment, DS3 Racing’s tuned and turbo-charged 1.6-litre THP 150 engine develops 200hp – a power increase of almost 30% over the standard unit – with a torque increase of 15% from 240Nm to 275Nm.

To achieve the additional power output, from 156hp to 200hp, Citroën Racing’s engineers modified and optimised the powertrain components, tuned the performance of the turbo and adjusted the mapping of the engine control unit. A special tail pipe and muffler were also added.

Allowing DS3 Racing to stick to the road, the car has undergone some significant sporting enhancements. The steering has been made even more precise, with the control system modified for the new tyres. The fitment of stiffer suspension springs, adapted front and rear shock absorbers (to handle the increased power), and the widening of the front and rear tracks by 30mm – plus lowering the car by 15mm – all dramatically change the driving dynamics.

These important developments reinforce both the stability and dynamic control of the car, and enhance the feedback between the road and the driver.

The braking system has also been up-rated to ensure control over the car’s additional horsepower. The front wheels get 4-piston racing callipers and special disc-brakes – with drilled discs at the rear. For enhanced control, the ESP has been adapted to complement the sportier handling, but can be disengaged according to the driver’s preference.

In addition to the distinctive, radical styling of DS3, the new Racing edition inherits Citroën Racing’s expertise in motorsport design to provide advanced technological and stylistic sporting prowess.

The preview model, to be presented at Geneva, is in a special livery and features sporty ‘DS3’, ‘Citroën Racing’ and chequered flag graphics on the roof, in front of the rear wheel arches, under the side mirrors and next to the fuel cap.

Measuring 3.94m long, DS3 Racing’s dark grey body is tastefully contrasted with a vibrant, bright orange-coloured roof, side mirrors and brake callipers. The alloy wheels and front grille surround – with integrated chevrons – are finished in orange chrome.

A sporty carbon finish is used around the front bumper, lower body trim and wing extensions, whilst large 18” alloy wheels, chrome door handles and even a chrome-finished exhaust complete the dynamic styling.

Inside the cabin, smart carbon trim adorns the dashboard, centre console, steering wheel embellisher, armrests and door side mouldings. The vibrant orange bodywork and decals continue into the cabin with the glossy strip of the dash, gear stick and gear stick surround finished in the same bright tone. The sporty, figure-hugging seats are also touched with orange elements and are embossed with ‘Citroën Racing’.

A DS3 Racing signature on the rear tailgate and an individually numbered identification plate fixed to the roof-lining further confirm the model’s exclusivity.

On the road, DS3 Racing’s WRC pedigree is evident. Benefiting from Citroën’s extensive knowledge of racing dynamics, a carbon-finished air diffuser stabilises the car at high speeds, whilst the chassis and suspension have been adapted to provide even more precision, control, sportier handling and swifter cornering.

Based on the existing DSport powered by the THP 150, production Citroën DS3 Racing editions will be finished in a special workshop and fitted with a parts kit developed according to Citroën Racing specifications.

Press release below is from Ateco, the Australian importer of Citroën.

CITROËN GETS HOT WITH THE DS3

Citroen will take the wraps of the hot version of its new premium model, the DS3, which is due in Australia in August, when it reveals the 147 kW Citroen DS3 Racing at the Geneva International Motor Show in March (2 March 2010).

Citroen’s dominance of the World Rally Championship – six manufacturers’ titles and seven drivers’ titles for Citroen’s Sébastien Loeb – over the past six years leaves little doubt that the French car maker has the ability to take its already critically lauded DS3 and turn it into a real performance machine.

Citroen is holding back the DS3 Racing’s performance figures for the Geneva Motor Show reveal, but there can be little doubt that with 147 kW and 275 Nm of torque on tap from its 1.6 litre turbocharged engine that was developed by the same engineers who produced the world beating Citroen C4 WRC, the DS3 Racing will offer exemplary performance.

The chassis of the DS3 has been thoroughly reworked to ensure that the DS3 Racing will go around corners as well as it goes in a straight line, with the suspension lowered, the track widened, 18 inch alloy wheels fitted, the springs stiffened and the shock absorbers re-rated. Additionally the brakes have been enlarged the ESP system has been reprogrammed to encourage more spirited driving and electronic responses that are in line with the new model’s sporting requirements.

The Citroen DS3 has set a new standard for style and exclusivity and this is further enhanced with the DS3 Racing with a special livery that enables it to stand apart from the DS3 range and ensures it looks as good as it performs.

“The Citroen DS3 Racing represents an outstanding concentration of behind-the-wheel thrills with an artful blend of performance and efficiency,” says Miles Williams, General Manager for Citroen in Australia. “The DS3 Racing will take up its place in the DS3 range with an appealing combination of verve and vitality and it provides a clear indication of what we can expect when the DS3 arrives in Australia in August.”

The DS3 Racing will be launched in Europe with a limited series of 1,000 units in second-half 2010. Australian availability will be announced when the DS3 is launched in Australia in August.