The next world champion?
Citroen tops its range of DS3 versions with a full-blooded racer with a street-legal look. The suffix ‘racing’ is not just a taunt ion the direction of the quickest Minis but also the vanguard of the next generation of rally cars for world champion Sebastian Loeb.
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- Thanks to a modified turbo charger and increased pressure the four-cylinder motor produces 207 horsepower. Only 2,000 RPM are needed in order to develop 275 Newton metres of torque and a hundred in just 6.5 seconds.
Broader and more aggressive
It is hardly surprising that the new model costs almost twice as much as the basic DS3. The dwarf racer sits squarely on the asphalt with its track widened by 20 millimetres, thicker tyres and a suspension lowered by 15 millimetres. The orange lacquered 18 inch rims have a serious look about them. As an alternative to the black-and-orange livery the DS3 Racing also comes in white, although buyers of this variant also get an extra carbon composite panel for the fairing.
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- Inside the car there are hints as to why the price is high: Perforated metal pedals, chunky racing seats with massive lateral support and many carbon composite components, especially on the central console.
Like a bigger car
The engine starts at the turn of a normal key and from the first moment there is a feeling of exhilaration. An amazingly round but subtle sound reverberates behind the car. When revving low in the upper gears the motor with just 1.6 litres capacity growls like that of a much bigger car. The acoustic designers have done a fine job. The pressure from the turbo charger has been improved from 1.8 to 2.2 bar, allowing the four-cylinders to put out 152 kilowatts or 207 horsepower. Only 2,000 RPM are need in order to develop 275 Newton metres of torque, enough to give the passengers a really strong push back into their seats. The standard six-gear transmission is easy to use but possibly not quite as precise or crisp as one might expect from such an ambitious automobile. Negotiating the gate feels a bit rough and raw.
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- An amazingly round but subtle sound reverberates behind the car. When revving low in the upper gears the motor with just 1.6 litres capacity growls like that of a much bigger car.
A lively drive
The steering is no hindrance to the car’s power delivery and the well formed steering wheel allows the driver to be calm but decisive in cornering the DS3. On the first kilometres the Brembo brakes at the front tend to have too much bite, but when the driver gets used to this he can dose his braking accordingly. The car can be brought to a full stop from a hundred kilometres and hour two metres sooner than the 150 horsepower turbo charged petrol powered model, but this comes as no surprise. The lowered sports suspension results in lively and agile behavior on the road; it is firm but not too stiff. However it becomes clear on rough surfaces that the rear axle is far from fond of pot-holes or asphalt joins.
Top notch performance
With a top speed of 235 kilometres per hour the DS3 has few rivals for supremacy on the Autobahn, at least rivals of similar size. At the traffic light the DS3 is also the winner, taking off and reaching a hundred in just 6.5 seconds. Spending a long time in the racing seats is surprisingly no hardship. The seats are snug but comfortable and the generous shoulder support is welcome on the twisting tracks on which the DS3 comes into its own. All three-door models call for gymnastic abilities from back seat passengers and this holds true for the DS3 Racing too. But the front seats are sprung to allow them to be moved forward far enough to avoid the most extreme of entry contortions.
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- Following the success of the slightly retro looking and two-tone paintwork of the ‘civilian’ DS3 the development of a performance version was a logical next step. Now there is the DS3 Racing at 29,990 Euros and orders for up to 2,000 units will be taken.
Sporting Citroen
Citroen’s success as winner of the Rally Manufacturers World Championship have until now failed to give the marque a truly sporting image. But following the success of the slightly retro looking and two-tone paintwork of the ‘civilian’ DS3 the development of a performance version was a logical next step. Otherwise they would be leaving the life-style conscious customers with only the tuners of John Cooper Works to turn to. Now there is the DS3 Racing as an option, at 29,990 Euros and orders for up to 2,000 units will be taken.
Evaluation
Plus: more torque, a lively engine, good level of equipment
Minus: a limited choice of colours, rough gear shifting
Technical data for the Citroen DS3 Racing
For-seater sedan with front-wheel drive. Length/Width/Height/Wheelbase: 3.96 metres/ 1.72 metres/1.44 metres/2.46 metres, Load capacity 285 litres. Tank capacity 50 litres. Engine 1.6 litre four-cylinder with turbo charging and 152 kilowatts/207 horsepower output. Maximum torque 275 Newton metres from 2,000 RPM. Zero to a hundred in 6.5 seconds. Maximum speed 235 kmh. Fuel consumption 6.4 litres of super. CO2 emissions 149 grams. Norm Euro 5. Price from 29,990 Euros.
