New look and aerodynamic package for DS3 WRC in Portugal

Citroen Total Abu Dhabi World Rally Team will use new DS3 WRC car at next championship round – 49. Vodafone Rally de Portugal (21-24 May). French racing machine has got new livery and more efficient aerodynamic package.

Visually, new look features unprecedented design codes, combining Polar White, Perla Nera Black and Aluminium Grey with newly-designed geometric shapes to create an appealing new signature. In line with the unique style offered to every DS3 customer, the Citroen’s drivers were able to customize the roof of their own World Rally Car: white for Kris Meeke, grey for Mads Ostberg and red for Khalid Al-Qassimi.

Except new design, significant changes was made in aerodynamic performance. An initial series of upgrades were made to the DS3 WRC few months ago for Rallye Monte-Carlo: a new turbocharged 1.6-litre direct injection engine derived from the Citroen C-Elysee WTCC, semi-automatic gearbox controls, a rear spoiler with vertical winglets and a redesigned rear suspension. All of these changes have proven effective as the team has enjoyed a good start to the season in which it has recorded three podiums, including a win in Argentina.

In Portugal, the next phase of the upgrades will be introduced with a new front end, featuring a totally redesigned bumper and wings, which aims to improve the aerodynamic performance of the car by lowering drag and increasing downforce.

“Citroën Racing hasn’t stopped working on the development of DS3 WRC since the current regulations were introduced in 2011. If you take the new features unveiled in January and this second batch, this is the most significant upgrade since the DS3 WRC was first homologated. We’ve already seen that the work of the teams is bearing fruits. So to that extent, the recent one-two at Rally Argentina has just made everyone even more motivated! The aerodynamic upgrades introduced here should help us to keep improving. Confirmed during wind tunnel and pre-event testing, the gains achieved in terms of drag coefficient and downforce are significant. For the 60th anniversary of the Brand, we also felt it was important to share the values of DS through a new graphic identity. So far, the reactions of the people who have had a sneak preview of the car have been extremely positive. We hope our supporters also like this new signature!”, quoted Yves Matton, Citroën Racing Team Principal.