Citroen unveils 2017 C3 WRC posted in WRC22 | 12 | 2016

CITROEN HAS UNVEILED its 2017 C3 World Rally Car. The new model, which will make its competitive debut in Monte Carlo next month, conforms to next season’s less-restrictive regulations.

As a result, the 2017 car — which will be driven by Colin McRae protege Kris Meeke — uses a larger 36mm restrictor, up from 33mm, and more aggressive aerodynamics.

Based on the all-new five-door-only C3, the competition car's back doors have been welded up. It also sits on a wider track, which is hidden beneath swelled wheel arches, and is 1875mm wide, 55mm wider than Citroen’s last WRC machine, the DS3 WRC.

Powered by a 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine with 2.5bar of boost to produce 380bhp, it’s 20% more than the DS3 WRC.

The Citroen C3 WRC has already completed 10 test sessions, covering a total of 5900 miles. The car was homologated by the FIA on 13 December, five weeks ahead of the opening 2017 rally in Monte Carlo.

In addition to Meeke, who has taken a leading role in the car’s development and has won three WRC events, fellow Irishman Craig Breen and 24-year-old Frenchman Stéphane Lefebvre will also drive for the team in 2017.

Related: UK debut for Citroen C3

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Jim McGill