Citroen enthusiasts will be pleased to hear the new premium model DS3 is scheduled for Australia in the second half of 2010 – but before then, the French brand is taking the wraps off the DS3 ‘Racing’ version at the Geneva Motor Show.
It’s available in one colour – dark grey with bright orange paint and chrome finishes plus lots of racing decals…a bold move from the traditionally conservative Citroen boffins. Inside is some carbon detailing and further bright orange trim.
Powered by the same 147kW/275Nm 1.6-litre turbo engine that propels Citroen’s World Rally Championship winning machines, the DS3 Racing is a limited edition with only 1,000 scheduled to be built at the Citroen Racing workshop. Citroen Australia hopes to have details of local plans for the hot version when the standard DS3 launches here in August.
The DS3 Racing certainly looks the part and features significant engineering upgrades. It runs sporty 18-inch alloy wheels with larger brakes (and wing extensions to fit), the track has been widened by 30mm, the modified suspension provides stiffer springs/dampers and a 15mm lower ride height, brakes feature four-piston calipers and bigger discs and the power steering has been re-mapped for more precision.
Citroen also modified the DS3 Racing’s Electronic Stability program (ESP): “to encourage more spirited driving and electronic responses that are in line with the new model’s sporting requirements
