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. 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 silencer 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 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. 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. 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. |
DS3 RACING S.LOEB
The new Special Edition DS3 is named after Citroën's French superstar Sébastien Loeb, who has won the World Rally Championship a mind-blowing record eight times in a row. Only 200 examples of the DS3 Racing S. Loeb are scheduled for production.
The most visible feature of the DS3 Racing S. Loeb is the unique paint job on the outside as the body is finished in a bespoke matte black colour with a textured effect. In addition, the roof, door mirrors, grille, dashboard fascia and gearstick base, all feature a contrasting shade of red, while we also find special decals on the outside and a numbered identification plate on the roof lining inside. The special edition model is fitted with Citroën’s MyWay navigation system while it retains the regular DS3 Racing's 1.6-liter four-cylinder petrol engine with a twin-scroll turbocharger producing 204bhp and 202.8 lb-ft (275Nm) of peak torque. |
DS3 RACING CABRIO
The new limited-run Citroën DS3 Cabrio Racing is now officially on sale in the UK. Citroën Racing-developed, only 10 right-hand-drive examples will be brought to the UK out of a full production run of just 100. As with the three-door DS3 Racing, the 207bhp version of the DS3 Cabrio was developed in conjunction with Citroen’s WRC division using a tuned version of the 1.6-litre engine. The 0-60 sprint takes 6.5sec, and the DS3 can hit a top speed of 143mph - and, the simple roof mechanism means a negligible weight increase of 25kg. The racing credentials are corroborated by the special running gear, brakes and carbon kit, also taken from the hatchback. Additional racing paraphernalia include red brake calipers, wheel hubs, lettering and side strips on the doors. Lavishly equipped with all the usual high-quality trimmings, the cars will include special ‘Moondark’ matt grey paint, 19-inch gloss black alloy wheels and black chrome inserts on the handles, door mirrors and boot trim. The distinctive ‘DS’ logo makes an appearance on the door mirror covers as well as on the black fabric roof, where it is woven in with a glossy carbon fibre-esque look. Citroen has continued this DS Racing theme on the inside of the car as well, installing bucket seats with a bespoke DS ‘watchstrap’ design and finished in DS-embossed Nappa leather with additional Alcantara trim. Carmin red DS pearl top-stitching extends from the seats to the dashboard and the gear lever. |