Category: Citroen

Categories
Citroen Video

Come as you are

Jeff Suhy's Citroen DS

Jeff Suhy one of the guys who helped bring the 1990s grunge phenomenon Nirvana into your world. He’s now pottering about in a delightful Citroën DS. In a small way, with this Petrolicious video, maybe Suhy is once again helping to spread the word of an equally influential icon.

The video’s YouTube description provides a great intro:

Whether it was the hydraulic suspension, the safety features (such as an engine that, on front impact, was designed to slide under the car instead of into the driver’s solar plexus), or the self-leveling headlights that turn with the front wheels, the Citroen DS was remarkably ahead of its time. Indeed, the car was a a true product of the Space Age, when auto manufacturers found themselves awash in technologies that they were itching to use in the wake of World War II. Citroen was ultimately rewarded handsomely for its innovative efforts, selling more than one million DSs over the model’s twenty-year-lifespan.

Continue reading “Come as you are”
Categories
Citroen Motorsports Video

VIDEO: Sebastien Loeb tackles the Nordschleife

Sebastien Loeb, Citroen C-Elysee WTCC, Nurburgring

In case you missed it the WTCC crews have been to the Nordschleife and even better they will be holding a full on race meeting there as part of this weekend’s Nürburgring 24 Hour support program.

With thanks to Citroën here’s a full lap of the Grand Prix track and Nordschleife with motorsport icon Sebastien Loeb at the wheel. The low angle of the camera is awesome, even if it flattens out the dramatic elevation of the Nordschleife.

For what it’s worth Loeb’s Nordschleife time is a bit over seven minutes, while his best time during the official test day for the full 25+ kilometre lap, including GP track, was 8:40.517. That’s fast for a FWD racecar and within around 20 seconds of the fastest GT3 machines.

It’s also worth noting that Sabine Schmitz will be racing a Chevy Cruze in the two WTCC races this weekend as well.

[Thanks to Stu for the tip]

Continue reading “VIDEO: Sebastien Loeb tackles the Nordschleife”
Categories
Citroen Ford Hyundai Volkswagen WRC

2015 Rally Mexico in pictures

2015 Rally Monte Carlo

We’re just three races into the 2015 WRC season and dual world champion Sebastien Ogier already has a commanding lead in the drivers’ championship. Here’s a pictorial look back at how he conquered the dust and gravel in Rally Mexico.

It’s okay, unlike Sebastien, we give all of his main rivals equal time in the spotlight too. Enjoy the pics!

Continue reading “2015 Rally Mexico in pictures”
Categories
Citroen Ford Hyundai Volkswagen WRC

2015 Rally Sweden in pictures

2015 Rally Monte Carlo

Well, whaddya know, time flies when you’re having fun and Rally Mexico is almost upon us. By the barest of margins here’s your chance to check out the ice cool pics from Rally Sweden, which was one of the most exciting WRC events we’ve ever seen.

Let’s hope Rally Mexico provides as much entertainment and another chance to look at those silly hats!

Continue reading “2015 Rally Sweden in pictures”
Categories
Citroen Ford Hyundai Volkswagen WRC

2015 Rallye Monte Carlo in pictures

2015 Rallye Monte Carlo

Before Rally Sweden kicks off next weekend, take some time to relive Volkswagen’s dominantion of Rallye Monte Carlo, where the reigning world champions went Ogier one, Latvala two and Mikkelsen three!

Continue reading “2015 Rallye Monte Carlo in pictures”
Categories
Citroen WRC

Citroën launches 2015-spec DS3 WRC

2015 Citroen DS3 WRC

Citroën has unveiled its 2015-spec DS3 WRC which will be earning its money this weekend when Rallye Monte Carlo is underway.

The most successful rally pairing of all time, Sebastien Loeb and Daniel Elena, will be making a one-off appearance for Citroën and they have been designated as one of the two crews who can score points for Citroën in the championship.

Kris Meeke is the other driver contributing to the manfacturers’ championship, while Mads Ostberg is probably secretly hoping he can beat both Loeb and Meeke and embarrass his bosses in a nice way.

All three of the DS3 WRCs will be racing in 2015-trim which have new upgrades to the engine, suspension, aerodynamics and gearbox.

“The DS 3 WRC is a very accomplished car, but we have worked hard to make it even more competitive,” Xavier Mestelan-Pinon, Citroën Racing’s Technical Director explained.

“For example, we have focused our efforts on the engine so that it delivers more power and torque, whilst also improving reliability. Taking advantage of the changes in the regulations, we have reintroduced steering wheel-mounted paddles for the gear changes.

“Other significant improvements have been made to the aerodynamics, with a new spoiler and a new front end that will be introduced shortly, as well as to the weight distribution with the use of lighter parts. Lastly, we have altered the kinematics of the rear suspension. Work is ongoing and, in the next few months, we will be presenting another aerodynamic upgrade.”

Continue reading “Citroën launches 2015-spec DS3 WRC”
Categories
Citroen Ford Hyundai Volkswagen WRC

Best photos of the 2014 WRC season

2014 WRC Rally Australia

Following on from our Best of 2014 WEC gallery, we’ve trawled through our 2014 WRC image archive and picked out the best 13 pics from the 13 rallies.

And here they are!

Continue reading “Best photos of the 2014 WRC season”
Categories
Citroen WRC

Mads Ostberg keeps job with Citroën

2014 Wales Rally GB

Mads Ostberg will remain with Citroën Racing next year, meaning the French outfit will continue with the same driver lineup as this year. Also making a one-off appearance at Rallye Monte Carlo will be nine-time world champ Sebastien Loeb.

“I’m very happy to be able to keep working with the Citroën Total Abu Dhabi World Rally Team,” Ostberg said. “I have learned a lot just by being in contact with this fantastic team and I feel that I’m a better driver.

“With the DS 3 WRC, I had to adjust my driving style. The work I put in has enabled me to discover new techniques, and they have helped me get to grips with certain surfaces and conditions more easily.

“I’ll be using this experience to go even further in 2015. I’m really looking forward to seeing the upgrades that have been made on the DS 3 WRC.”

The 27-year-old Norwegian has a single rally victory to his name, Rally Portugal in 2012 at the wheel of a Ford Fiesta RS WRC.

Continue reading “Mads Ostberg keeps job with Citroën”
Categories
Citroen WRC

Sebastien Loeb to make one-off Monte comeback

Sebastien Loeb, 2013 Rallye Monte-Carlo

Sebastien Loeb and Daniel Elena will be making a one-off return to the WRC by taking part in the 2015 Rallye Monte Carlo.

Under the guise of promotion for Citroën’s DS brand the seven-time winners of the event have been nominated, along with Kris Meeke, to score championship points for Citroën’s WRC manufacturer’s title campaign.

“I didn’t hesitate for a second when I was offered the chance to compete at the opening round of the 2015 World Rally Championship in the DS 3 WRC,” said Loeb. “I think Daniel and I would agree that Monte-Carlo is one of our favourite events. The beautiful roads, the fact of having to gamble when it comes to tyre choice and the party atmosphere that you get on the stages: we can’t wait to experience it all again!

“Obviously, it’s going to be a personal challenge for me, as I haven’t competed in a rally for over a year. A few days from now, I’m going to take part in the Rallye du Var and that will give me the chance to reacquaint myself with the car. We have also managed to find a few available slots in my schedule so I can take part in testing. I’m absolutely delighted about this opportunity to meet up with the big rallying family during the FIA WTCC off-season!”

Loeb and Elena last competed in Rallye Monte-Carlo in 2013. It was the start of their WRC swansong and they won the event for the seventh time.

Continue reading “Sebastien Loeb to make one-off Monte comeback”
Categories
Citroen WRC

Kris Meeke keeps his job with Citroën

2014 Wales Rally GB

Put Kris Meeke in a rally car and you’ll soon learn he has raw pace. Consistency is where Meeke struggles and, of course, he’s partial to the odd spectacular crash. Yet, after his full WRC season in a top team he has progressed enough to keep his job. And that’s good news for the WRC, because as well as pace Meeke is great to watch.

“When we chose Kris Meeke for this season, we took a bit of a gamble,” said Yves Matton, Citroën Racing Team Principal. “But he has improved with pretty much every race and has now become a complete driver.

“The real turning point was at Rally Finland. He adopted the right approach. He has managed to acquire experience throughout the season. He has shown that he not only has real pace, but that he can be more patient sometimes as well.”

Meeke’s ability to perform well on numerous surfaces impresses his bosses and helped his cause. He scored podiums in Monte-Carlo, Argentina, Finland and France.

“This first full season has been spent learning about the WRC,” explained the 35-year-old Meeke. “In the second half of the year, I was able to show part of my potential.

“There’s room for improvement, but I now have some decent foundations to build on next year, in order to keep progressing.”

Continue reading “Kris Meeke keeps his job with Citroën”
Categories
Citroen Ford Hyundai Volkswagen WRC

2014 Wales Rally GB in pictures

2014 Wales Rally GB

Will you just look at all that bloody mud! It’s the signature look for the Wales Rally GB and, for once, being first on the road was a nice advantage for rally winner Sebastien Ogier who made the most of the wet conditions before the stages became too rutted and dug up by all the cars.

There’s some great photos below and we trust you will enjoy your last gallery of rally pics for 2014. Until Rallye Monte Carlo… if in doubt, flat out!

Continue reading “2014 Wales Rally GB in pictures”
Categories
Citroen Ford Volkswagen WRC

Sebastien Ogier wins 2014 Wales Rally GB

2014 Wales Rally GB

Sebastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia have capped off a stunning WRC season with their eighth victory of the year at the Wales Rally GB. It’s the twelfth win for Volkswagen from the 13 race calendar and a season of success like this has to be savoured, for you can never expect it to be repeated.

“That is obviously the best way to end a season: with a win,” said Ogier after the rally. “We really had to go flat-out on Friday and had a close battle for the lead with my team-mate Jari-Matti Latvala. That allowed us to open up a big lead over the rest of our rivals.

“When Jari-Matti made a mistake on Saturday, it obviously completely changed the character of the rally for us. I just had to get the car to the finish line. However, that is anything but easy given the typical conditions here in Wales. All in all, it has been another magnificent season for Julien and me, with a fantastic team behind us.”

In perhaps his best achievable result in his final WRC start Mikko Hirvonen ended his career on the podium, a bit over 37 seconds behind Ogier. It was a great way for the popular Finn to say goodbye to his fans.

“I couldn’t really think of a better way to end my career,” Hirvonen said. “We had a great fight all through the weekend and to finish with the second place is absolutely fantastic.

“Today it was a bit emotional for sure. Before this morning I manage to be pretty on it and concentrate on the rally, but today it was a bit more difficult!”

Mads Ostberg finished third, meaning the healthy sight of three different manufacturers on the podium was a pleasing way to end the WRC season, dominated by Volkswagen.

Ostberg’s points proved valuable for Citroën and allowed them to claim second place in the manufacturers’ championship, just two points ahead of M-Sport (Ford).

Given their all-conquering season Volkswagen might have hoped the final event could end like the championship standings, with their drivers filling the first three places. But for some minor errors by Jari-Matti Latvala and Andreas Mikkelsen that might have been the case too. The Polos certainly had the pace in the muddy conditions, but not the consistency from the men behind the wheel.

Still, 2014 has been a great season for Volkswagen and we hope Citroën, Ford and Hyundai can raise their game in 2015.

Continue reading “Sebastien Ogier wins 2014 Wales Rally GB”