Skip advert
Advertisement

New Citroen C3 WRC unveiled ahead of 2017 season

Citroen reveals its 2017 World Rally Championship contender, the C3 WRC, with Britain's Kris Meeke leading their challenge

This is the Citroen C3 WRC, the definitive version of the rally car that will shoulder the hopes of Briton Kris Meeke in the 2017 World Rally Championship. 

Unveiled at an event in Abu Dhabi, the all-new machine has been developed to rallying’s new regulations, which allow a bigger turbo restrictor for increased power, an active centre differential for improved handling and more extreme aerodynamics. The last of those changes is clearly visible in the undisguised car, with a huge double-element rear wing and aggressive vanes on the C3’s front bumper. 

The C3 WRC marks Citroen Racing’s full-time return to the series after a spell when the French brand was concentrating on World Touring Cars. Apart from Meeke, the team has signed up Frenchman Stephane Lefebvre and Irishman Craig Breen, plus Sheikh Khalid Al Qassimi. It plans to run two C3s on the opening rounds but by the time the WRC arrives in its ‘European season’, from Portugal in May, Citroen should be fielding three or four C3s in each event. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

Meeke has spent much of 2016 developing the car - although his limited seven-rally programme still allowed him to claim two victories. Citroen Racing says the C3 has racked up more than 9,500km (6,000 miles) of testing, everywhere from France and Finland to Portugal and Wales. 

Citroen Racing team boss Yves Matton said, “The previous World Rally Cars were often criticised for lacking aggressiveness at certain points. I think rallying remained spectacular in terms of the scenery and backdrop of the events, but the cars undoubtedly lacked a wild, crazy side. I think we'll see that again now. I hope that the changes will stimulate interest among younger fans and will have a positive effect on the championship.” 

He described Meeke as “vital” to the programme and said, “We needed a leader, who had plenty of technical experience and knowledge in terms of development. Kris has been developing racing cars for the PSA Group for more than ten years. He is a trained engineer and that means he has been able to provide detailed analysis at certain points. He is undoubtedly one of the main reasons we were able to stick to the schedule and meet our goals.” 

Meeke’s main rivals for the 2017 WRC title will be four-times champ Sebastien Ogier, who has joined Cumbria-based M-Sport to drive a Fiesta WRC, Belgian Thierry Neuville at Hyundai and Finnish star Jari-Matti Latvala, who will drive Toyota’s all-new Yaris WRC. The season starts on 20 January with the famous Rallye Monte-Carlo.

What do you think of Citroen's new C3 WRC? Can it win the 2017 title? Let us know below...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Editor-at-large

John started journalism reporting on motorsport – specifically rallying, which he had followed avidly since he was a boy. After a stint as editor of weekly motorsport bible Autosport, he moved across to testing road cars. He’s now been reviewing cars and writing news stories about them for almost 20 years.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Rétromobile 2025: inside France’s giant classic car show
Rétromobile 2025

Rétromobile 2025: inside France’s giant classic car show

Classic car shows can draw in massive crowds but Rétromobile is on a different scale…
News
5 Feb 2025
No new Citroen 2CV! Boss disappoints fans of the classic but promises 'affordable' and 'different' cars
No new Citroen 2CV

No new Citroen 2CV! Boss disappoints fans of the classic but promises 'affordable' and 'different' cars

Contrary to reports, Citroen isn’t eyeing up a modern 2CV, but will double down on offering “different” family cars
News
22 Jan 2025
Stellantis bets big on hybrid cars with expanded line-up plan
Peugeot 5008 - badge

Stellantis bets big on hybrid cars with expanded line-up plan

Parent company of Peugeot, Citroen and Alfa Romeo won’t hedge its bets, with plans afoot to bolster HEV offer
News
14 Jan 2025
Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2025, 2026 and beyond
Best new cars coming soon - header image

Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2025, 2026 and beyond

These are the biggest and most important new cars headed our way, from brands including Audi, BMW, Dacia, Ferrari, Ford, Skoda and more
Best cars & vans
1 Jan 2025

Most Popular

New Renault Clio to shun electric power and stick with petrol and hybrid options
Renault Clio design render - front

New Renault Clio to shun electric power and stick with petrol and hybrid options

Renault’s sixth-generation Clio hatchback will get a clean look and hi-tech kit, and our exclusive images show what it could look like
News
12 Feb 2025
Car Deal of the Day: VW Golf GTI hot hatch legend for a very cool price
Volkswagen Golf GTI - front corner right

Car Deal of the Day: VW Golf GTI hot hatch legend for a very cool price

The Golf GTI has skilfully combined racy performance with everyday useability for nearly 50 years. It’s our Deal of the Day for 10 February
News
10 Feb 2025
The small petrol car lives! Pint-sized Fiat Pandina due in 2027
Fiat Panda Cross - front static

The small petrol car lives! Pint-sized Fiat Pandina due in 2027

Fiat will build a new city-sized Pandina based on the new 500 platform, bringing a proper, petrol powered A-segment city car to market as early as 202…
News
12 Feb 2025

Find a car with the experts