Citroen heads to Monte Carle to kick of the WRC season
Sebastien Loeb and Daniel Elena will return to action in a DS 3 WRC contesting the opening round of the 2015 World Rally Championship season, Rallye Monte-Carlo.
Winners of nine world titles and 78 rallies, including seven wins in Monaco, the legendary crew are set to cause a stir with the Citroen Total Abu Dhabi World Rally Team. To start the new season, several significant upgrades have been made to all three of the DS 3 WRCs entered, from engine and suspension to aerodynamics and gearbox.
Xavier Mestelan-Pinon, Citroen Racing's Technical Director, said: "The DS 3 WRC is a very accomplished car, but we have worked hard to make it even more competitive. For example, we have focused our efforts on the engine so that it delivers more power and torque, whilst also improving reliability. Taking advantage of the changes in the regulations, we have reintroduced steering wheel-mounted paddles for the gear changes.
"Other significant improvements have been made to the aerodynamics, with a new spoiler and a new front end that will be introduced shortly, as well as to the weight distribution with the use of lighter parts. Lastly, we have altered the kinematics of the rear suspension. Work is ongoing and, in the next few months, we will be presenting another aerodynamic upgrade."
The legendary Rallye Monte-Carlo opens the new World Rally Championship season. The Monaco-based rally is a special event in the WRC calendar. With the DS in the 1950s and 1960s, then the Xsara, C4 and DS 3 in more recent times, Citroen Racing has one of the best competitive records at the event.
Sebastien Loeb and Daniel Elena hold the record number of wins there, with seven victories between 2003 and 2013. Third in the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) in 2014, Sebastien Loeb returns to the WRC after more than a year away from world rallying. Accompanied by long-time co-driver Daniel Elena, the French ace didn't hesitate when Yves Matton offered him the chance to drive the DS 3 WRC again.
by: Becca Chaplin