CITROËN UNLEASHES 200HP LIMITED EDITION DS3 RACING AT GENEVA
Citroën is unleashing a hot new DS3 at the Geneva Motor Show — the limited edition 200hp 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. Planned for the second half of 2010, the exclusive DS3 Racing will be limited to just 1000 production units.
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 muffler 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 increased 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.
In addition to the distinctive, radical styling of DS3, the new Racing edition inherits Citroën Racing’s expertise in motorsport design to provide advanced technological and stylistic sporting prowess.
The preview model, to be presented at Geneva, is in a special livery and features sporty ‘DS3′, ‘Citroën Racing’ and chequered flag graphics on the roof, in front of the rear wheel arches, under the side mirrors and next to the fuel cap.
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.
On the road, DS3 Racing’s WRC pedigree is evident. Benefiting from Citroën’s extensive knowledge of racing dynamics, a carbon-finished air diffuser stabilises the car at high speeds, whilst the chassis and suspension have been adapted to provide even more precision, control, sportier handling and swifter cornering.
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.
DS HIGH RIDER: Taking dynamics into a new dimension
Citroën created a stir in February 2009 with the announcement of a new line of distinctive products, the DS line. The new line-up reflected one of the facets of what is a true reinvention of the Marque, symbolised in its new tagline, “Créative Technologie”. Rounding out the main CITROËN range, the DS line features products with more radical design choices aimed at customers looking for stand-out styling, architecture, driving feel and refinement.
Just one year after this major event, and with the DS3 now on show in CITROËN showrooms, the Marque is taking a new step in the evocation of the DS line with the DS High Rider. The new concept car embodies a contemporary vision of dynamics with compact design as a fundamental value. It opens the way to new vehicle uses, new motoring pleasure, and an innovative technological approach founded on a Full Hybrid 4 drivetrain.
The DS line moves forward into a new universe
With DS High Rider, Citroën is clearly remaining faithful to the philosophy behind the DS line, namely products with bold choices in terms both of styling and architecture.
Without reneging on the charms of conventional coupés, CITROËN has discovered new ways of expressing automotive vitality with this new creation – less restrictive and exclusive and more adapted to today’s driving conditions, while boasting a renewed sense of driving pleasure.
Unlike regular 4-seater coupés that are long and low-slung, DS High Rider places the emphasis on muscular compact design. The body styling combined with the height of the car underline the compactness of the whole, in turn strengthening the dynamic feel.
Behind the wheel, this promise of vitality is delivered in the shape of a unique driving experience based on a blend of the following:
a windscreen that stretches far back into the roof, a passenger-focused interior architecture of the highest standards, running gear that benefits from all the Marque’s expertise in driving sensations and standard-setting ride comfort.
Design embodying a new vision
Because it takes its inspiration directly from the values it vehicles, the styling of DS High Rider eschews all clichés in favour of an all-new, radically modern and inherently elegant shape. DS High Rider does not attempt to express vitality or versatility; rather, its body styling is a lively and pure reflection of these qualities.
DS High Rider is an object of desire that stands apart through its coherent design, that of a “beautiful automobile” placing the emphasis on harmonious forms through sensual and physically-present design that avoids caricature. Raised ground clearance and the strong on-road presence of the 19-inch diamond-effect alloy wheels structure the car’s proportions and make a defining contribution to DS High Rider’s character. The priority focus on authentically elegant forms also served to avoid the generic effects often used to typecast vehicles. The wheel arches and the forms of the car, particularly the flanks, are enough in themselves to express the robustness and protective character of the concept car. Components such as the front and rear bumpers, while also expressing vitality and agility, are perfectly integrated in the body styling and underline the overall harmony.
A handsome automobile and a good-looking coupé, DS High Rider also has an exclusive and elegant edge, with the beauty of its lines underlined by touches of contemporary luxury. Perfectly matching the all-new, sensual Golden Gloss body paint chosen for the initial manifestation of DS High Rider, the smoked chrome surrounds on the side windows accentuate their distinctive shape and literally highlight them. This lighting effect is also at play on the front and rear ends in the form of lamp and position light surrounds.
An animate object with a unique personality, DS High Rider is all CITROËN. It is instantly recognisable as such from the double chevron in the centre of the front end through to the compact and taut styling at the rear.
All-new, agile and attractive
DS High Rider brings a dynamic edge to versatility with a good dose of agility. Straight off, it comes across as a coupé redolent of movement with tightly drawn proportions. A coupé that reassures the onlooker with its subtly muscular character, one that refrains from outrageous aggression. Ground clearance is raised, giving drivers a commanding view of the road and traffic. The feeling of safety and protection is strong, but devoid of arrogance or brutality. Neither does it give the impression of taking up an exaggerated amount of space in the street, especially considering the car’s interior volume. DS High Rider is roughly as long as the C4, and boasts a similarly spacious cabin.
The elegance-laced practicality of DS High Rider also hints at other pleasures, such as the textile-covered roof suggesting a top-down position.
DS High Rider’s evident agility and its ability to break free of restrictions are naturally reflected in the Full Hybrid 4 drivetrain combining: an HDi DPFS diesel engine, and an electric motor fitted on the rear axle.
This set-up combines dynamic performance with environmental protection. The Full Hybrid 4 system balances the frugality of a latest-generation diesel engine with zero-emission electric mode, continuously switching between or combining the two engines. When drivers have to accelerate fast, the electric motor instantly adds its torque to that of the HDi diesel powerplant. In addition, this torque is transmitted to the rear wheels, effectively providing four-wheel drive grip and total control – and sublimating DS High Rider’s dynamic qualities.
