Citroën's new car: The C4 WRC

[-Fred-]

Citroën's press release:

When it presented the C4 Citroën Sport concept car as a world premiere at the 74th International Motorshow in Geneva, Automobiles Citroën was giving out a clear message concerning its intention to continue its involvement the highest level of world motorsport. Through its elegant and dynamic lines, the C4 Citroën Sport gave a seductive picture of what life could hold after the Xsara WRC.

The Xsara, with six wins from eleven races, is currently leading the 2004 Manufacturers’ Championship. Sébastien Loeb is leading the Drivers’ classification, while Carlos Sainz is lying fourth. This proves that the Versailles-Satory team is working relentlessly to further improve the 2003 World Championship-winning car.

At the same time, Citroën Sport is actively preparing for the future. Based on the C4 coupé and the WRC regulations, the team has used all its creative powers. After a well-planned gestation period, the long-awaited moment arrived : after the assembly process was finished in early September, the C4 WRC made its first roll-out on the track situated alongside the Versailles-Satory workshops.

Now in the development phase, the C4 WRC should make its race debut at the end of next season, and replace the Xsara WRC in the World Rally Championship from 2006 onwards.

Main technical characteristics : C4 WRC

Engine
Turbo-compressed, developed from the XU7JP4 engine
Position : transversal, inclined 25 ° towards the rear
Number of cylinders : 4 in line
Aluminium engine block
Capacity (cm3) : 1998
Maximum power (hp/revs/min) : 315 at 5 500*
Maximum Torque (mkg/revs/min) : 58 at 2750 ( or 419lb-ft)

* 315 hp? I thought WRC regulations specified a maximum output of 300? Obviously it's not the final product yet, which is stated to start competing at the end of the 2005 season, and fully replace the aging Xsara by 2006. It's not a pretty car, unlike the Xsara, but as far as WRC cars go, it's perhaps the most pedestrian looking one.

 

[Mike Rotch]

It's not a pretty car, unlike the Xsara, but as far as WRC cars go, it's perhaps the most pedestrian looking one.

Agreed. It is a shame they are replacing the Xsara, which looked so good, with this. It was the same with Peugeot replacing the butch looking 206 with the naff 307 CC. Not to mention the Mitsu which looks like a dogs breakfast.

 

[animateria]

At least they are introducing something new..... But What the Hell is wrong with those Head lights? It looks like somebody stretched it out or something!!

 

[VIPFREAK]

I'm not thrilled about it...

 

[Tosk]

It looks a little small...

 

[Darin]

I actually Like the car their using now. What is it called? Blah. I forgot.

But I first saw the new yesterday right here.

http://www.speedarena.com/news/publish/rally/article_5120.shtml

then the pictures.

http://www.speedarena.com/gallery/gallery2.php?mode=album&album=/Rally/WRC/2004/99 Citroen C4

Not sure about makers switiching to smaller cars though. Peugoet did it and went to a 307, I mean, that thing is monsterous.

Skoda went from a larger car, to a small car thats ass ugly. But It'll be interesting to see what this car can do.

 

[Cosmic]

Nice car 👍
Citroen's (sp?) currently car looks a little bit better

 

[Freddie]

Citroën's press release:
Main technical characteristics : C4 WRC

Engine
Turbo-compressed, developed from the XU7JP4 engine
Position : transversal, inclined 25 ° towards the rear
Number of cylinders : 4 in line
Aluminium engine block
Capacity (cm3) : 1998
Maximum power (hp/revs/min) : 315 at 5 500*
Maximum Torque (mkg/revs/min) : 58 at 2750 ( or 419lb-ft)

* 315 hp? I thought WRC regulations specified a maximum output of 300? Obviously it's not the final product yet, which is stated to start competing at the end of the 2005 season, and fully replace the aging Xsara by 2006. It's not a pretty car, unlike the Xsara, but as far as WRC cars go, it's perhaps the most pedestrian looking one.

Those numbers are just for the fans to have something nice to look at, and to keep the organisers happy. The reality is usually 20-25 percent higher than the official figures. Rally drivers among the lower ranks have stated that one can usually expect a car like that to have around 380hp and 735Nm. Besides, I believe the only major engine regulation, to keep power down, is the 34mm restrictor.

 

[-Fred-]

Not sure about makers switiching to smaller cars though. Peugoet did it and went to a 307, I mean, that thing is monsterous.

Skoda went from a larger car, to a small car thats ass ugly. But It'll be interesting to see what this car can do.

The 307 is bigger than the 206. The 206 was so small it was borderline on not being legal for WRC rules, and Peugeot found a loophole and extended the bumpers a few centimeters so no one would complain. They're still fixing gremlins because it's a new car, but watch them next year, or in 2006.

 

[Darin]

The 307 is bigger than the 206. The 206 was so small it was borderline on not being legal for WRC rules, and Peugeot found a loophole and extended the bumpers a few centimeters so no one would complain. They're still fixing gremlins because it's a new car, but watch them next year, or in 2006.

Yeah, same must go with Mitsubishi. They are just not as fast this year. It just surprises me that they have been in rallying so long, its just getting killed by the entire field. I hope they are better next year.

And they need to dump that Lancer ES model... They need to use the Eovlution Series.

 

[ND4SPD]

Man, Is that new car ugly, why don't they just keep the Xsara body.

 

[Tosk]

Yeah, The Xsara does have a cool look!!

 

[-Fred-]

Man, Is that new car ugly, why don't they just keep the Xsara body.

Because the platform on which the Xsara is built dates back to 1987 or so... They felt, appropriately, it was time to move on into the new millenium.

 

[Sleek Stratos]

I feel it has the potential to grow on me.
I'm more interested in who is going to be driving for Citröen in '05 and onwards though, Loeb will still be in it, but I want to know Sainz's decision regarding his WRC career.

 

[VIPFREAK]

Because the platform on which the Xsara is built dates back to 1987 or so... They felt, appropriately, it was time to move on into the new millenium.

Why change something that doesn't really need to be fixed?! It's not like it was an aging Skoda?? 87... that's pretty good IMO. Not to mention their "new millenium" vision sucks ass.

 

[kinigitt]

A little bland perhaps, but this little thing is going to accomplish some big things, I just know it.

I read somewhere that they're (Citroen) the only ones (along with Peugeot) to completely reverse the direction of the motor for better weight distribution, center of gravity, and to improve the efficiency of their exhaust manifold.

Plus they have a huge budget.

 

[Tosk]

Nothing like having money to burn!

 

[dcr22B]

Most WRC cars now put out about 340bhp but to be honest, peak power isn't what's important in rallying. It's the torque figure that really counts.

 

[kinigitt]

who said anything about peak power?

 

[9mm]

It's a trend in whole car industry, cars are just getting uglier and uglier.

 

[Tosk]

And some of the new cars from Japan.....

 

[pimp racer]

Hmm looks kinda bad in the front then I saw the back now thats just messed up! hopefully it runs better then the Xsara unlike the 207 which sucks compared to the 206.

 

[kinigitt]

Hmm looks kinda bad in the front then I saw the back now thats just messed up! hopefully it runs better then the Xsara unlike the 207 which sucks compared to the 206.

the 207 is still finding its legs. It all comes down to testing. Give it some time.

 

[dcr22B]

You do mean the 307, don't you?

 

[Arwin]

I actually quite like the looks of the 307. Yes that WRC version of the 206 looks mean, but the 307 isn't bad looking either. This C4 on the other hand, well, I don't quite like it in it's current shape. Especially the wing looks out of place.

 

[kinigitt]

You do mean the 307, don't you?

oops. Yeah.

I can't keep up with all these new numbers.

 

[pimp racer]

You do mean the 307, don't you?

Oh crap my bad yeah the 307

the 207 is still finding its legs. It all comes down to testing. Give it some time.

Yeah hopefully by next year it will be good enough to actually win a few races also Subaru is probably gonna change their car design since almost everyone has done it.

 

[Danny]

Not trying to be contrary or anything, but I think that thing is gorgeous!
The automotive quivalent of Kate Moss.

 

[LegacySTI]

The frontend looks like the EVO7 with the grill upside down..

 

[LegacySTI]

The 307 is bigger than the 206. The 206 was so small it was borderline on not being legal for WRC rules, and Peugeot found a loophole and extended the bumpers a few centimeters so no one would complain. They're still fixing gremlins because it's a new car, but watch them next year, or in 2006.

In 2003, Gronholm made a lot of mistakes in the 206WRC, in the 307WRC, he's making many of the same mistakes but his car is failing gives him something to blame.

I don't think the 307WRC is that fast compared to the 206 but I think the 307 is better balanced and you can see with those airborne stages, it lands smoother than being nose-heavy like the 206.