After grabbing nine World Rally Championship titles and decimating the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb record, Sebastien Loeb is set to make an appearance in the World Touring Car Championship in 2014. Racing under Citroen’s flag, the French auto manufacturer had just unveiled the car that the racing star will be driving in.
The race car will be based on the new C-Elysee compact sedan, and it will be the first to be designed in accordance with WTCC’s new regulation that the FIA will be introducing in the next season. Although the regulations are yet to be finalized, the WTCC will be featuring cars that pack more power, larger wheels, better aerodynamics and a lighter weight next season.
The C-Elysee WTCC will be powered by the same direct-injected 1.6-liter turbocharged engine found in the Citroen DS3 WRC car. Giving it a wider booster flange, the car now runs close to 380-horsepower. All the power is sent to the front wheels via a six-speed sequential gearbox and self-locking differential.
Stopping power is provided by four-piston calipers clamping on the ventilated discs, and MacPherson strut suspension is used on both front and rear. In line with the regulation and including the driver, the car has a minimum weight of 1,100kg.
The Citroen C-Elysee WTCC race car will be making its official appearance in September at the 2013 Frankfurt Auto Show.
