Skip advert
Advertisement

Watch Citroen's new, more powerful WRC car in action

Citroen's 2017 rally car makes a spectacular first appearance with Kris Meeke at the wheel

If initial impressions are anything to go by then Citroen’s new 2017 WRC car must be pretty good, good because Kris Meeke’s face was apparently wreathed in smiles when he stepped from the car after his first test. The car was wearing a disruptive camouflage livery, but we know new cars are more powerful, with around 380bhp, and the scope for aerodynamic influence is also much greater. Crucially they also get a centre diff.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Meeke has developed several cars during his career and was impressed with how much driving he was able to get done on this first outing in the 2017 car. He knows that there is a long road ahead, but with Citroen’s focus now switching back from the WTCC to the WRC it bodes very well for the French team. The reason for this is that the touring car programme has given them a greater understanding of aerodynamics and they have also spent the last couple of years running a 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine with similar outputs and durability requirements those required by the new WRC car.

Some have said that the 2017 cars will be like a return to the glorious Group B era but to be honest that seems a little unlikely. The cars should certainly be more exciting to look at and will undoubtedly be faster, but diff, suspension and tyre technology have all moved on so much that a return to the sort of cars where the engine totally outclassed the chassis is just not going to happen. Thankfully the cars are also going to be much safer in terms of crash protection than anything in the Group B era, with Citroen working diligently on side-impact protection in particular.

It’s an all-Irish driver line-up developing this car at the moment, with Craig Breen helping Meeke bring the car up to speed. Breen is fresh from a win on the Circuit of Ireland rally and you can watch his amazing run through the Glens stage here

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Mercedes-AMG GT 43 2025 review – £100k four-cylinder lacks Affalterbach soul
Mercedes-AMG GT 43
Reviews

Mercedes-AMG GT 43 2025 review – £100k four-cylinder lacks Affalterbach soul

Affalterbach’s flagship GT range now begins with a four-cylinder, lifted straight from the A45 hot hatch. It might have reasonable performance on tap,…
15 Sep 2025
Audi R8 V8 (2007 - 2015) review – the Porsche 911’s equal is a bargain super sports car
Audi R8 V8
Reviews

Audi R8 V8 (2007 - 2015) review – the Porsche 911’s equal is a bargain super sports car

The Audi R8’s launch was perhaps one of the biggest moments in 2000s performance motoring. It’s as sweet today as back then
9 Sep 2025
Mini Cooper and Cooper S (2001 - 2006) review – the 'new' Mini is now a classic
Mini Cooper S
Reviews

Mini Cooper and Cooper S (2001 - 2006) review – the 'new' Mini is now a classic

The ‘new’ Mini was perhaps motoring’s most anticipated sequel. BMW didn’t get it wrong – quite the opposite, as it transpired
11 Sep 2025