NEWS: Citroën Announce New DS3 RRC: Regional Rally Car

Following the success of the Citroën Racing DS3 WRC, here is the new WRC-inspired DS3 Regional Rally Car (RRC) for private drivers, designed to gradually replace the Super 2000 style rally cars. The car has been built to be used in championships below WRC level, including ERC and some national championships. Citroën say: "Visually different, with slight changes under the bonnet, the RRC otherwise maintains the key strengths of the DS3 WRC. We are proud to present the DS3 RRC. Faithfully derived from the DS3 WRC, the double World Rally Championship-winning car*, this version has been designed for private drivers and is suitable for use in a wide variety of competitions (WRC-2, ERC, MERC, etc.)."
Having come into force at the start of 2011, the new FIA World Rally Cars regulations allow manufacturers to produce a Regional Rally Car (RRC) variant of their models. Set to gradually replace cars in the Super 2000 category, these products are intended for use in the championships below the level of the WRC: WRC- 2 (formerly S-WRC), European Rally Championship (ERC), Middle East Rally Championship (MERC), some national championships and so on.
The World Rally Championship-winning car in 2011 and 2012*, the Citroën DS3 WRC is now available in an RRC version. Visually, the two models are different since the regulations are more restrictive as regards aerodynamic features on the RRC. The bumper intakes are smaller and the rear spoiler complies with the S2000 standards.
Under the bonnet, the 1.6-litre turbocharged direct-injection engine has been slightly modified, with a specific engine flywheel and a 30mm booster flange (compared with 33mm on the WRC). Maximum power output therefore drops to 275bhp. The other significant change concerns the brakes in tarmac configuration: the diameter of the discs has been reduced from 355 to 350mm and the water-cooling system has been removed.
Aside from these changes, the Citroën DS3 RRC maintains all the strengths of its big sister: reinforced body with welded, multi-point roll cage offering a high level of safety and resilience, MacPherson suspensions and Citroën Racing adjustable shock absorbers, six-speed sequential gearbox, etc.
Developed over the summer during test sessions on gravel and tarmac, the Citroën DS3 RRC is now available for leasing from Citroën Racing Technologies. Its modest running costs and versatility make it an intermediary option between the DS3 R3 and the DS3 WRC.

Looks terrific and we hope the new RRC cars will revitalise the privateer rallying scene. Tres bon Citroën!  

DS3 RRC TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
CHASSIS
Structure Reinforced body with welded, multi-point roll cage
Bodywork Steel and composite fibre

ENGINE
Type Citroën Racing - 1.6-litre turbocharged direct injection engine, with a 30mm
diam flange
Bore x stroke 82x75.5mm
Capacity 1,598cc
Maximum power 275bhp at 6,000rpm
Maximum torque 350Nm at 3,250rpm
Distribution Double overhead camshaft valve train driven by timing belt
4 valves per cylinder
Fuel feed Direct injection controlled by Magneti Marelli SRP-HP unit

CLUTCH
Type Cerametallic twin-disk

TRANSMISSION
Type Four-wheel drive
Gearbox Sadev six-speed sequential - Manual control
Differential Front and rear mechanical, auto-locking

BRAKES
Front Ventilated disks, 350mm (tarmac) and 300mm (gravel)
Water-cooled 4-piston callipers (tarmac)
Rear 300mm - 4-piston callipers
Distribution Adjustable from cockpit
Handbrake Hydraulic control

SUSPENSION
Type MacPherson
Shock absorbers Citroën Racing three-way adjustable shock absorbers
(low- and high-speed compression and rebound)

STEERING
Type Hydraulic power-assisted steering

WHEELS
Tarmac 8x18’’ wheels - Michelin tyres
Gravel and snow 7x15’’ wheels - Michelin tyres

DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES
Length / Width 3,948mm / 1,820mm
Wheel base 2,461mm
Track 1,618mm (front and rear)
Fuel tank 75 litres
Weight 1,200kg minimum / 1,350kg with driver pairing (regulations)

* Subject to publication of the official results by the FIA.