It’s been three months since Citroen has shown us their 2017 World Rally Car contender, and for the first time this ultra-aggressive C3 is showcasing its talents on asphalt instead of gravel.
Visually, Citroen’s 2017 WRC car boasts 55 extra mm (2.1 in) in width, large air scoops, a rear diffuser, a massive wing and several other FIA-approved mods. As for performance, its 1.6-liter turbocharged petrol engine is good for about 380 HP, while overall weight has been reduced by 25 kg (55 lbs).
By first testing the car on gravel, Citroen Racing engineers basically prioritized a surface used in most WRC events. Now, in order to further calibrate the suspension, the team has moved onto asphalt tests.
“By test-driving the car in the toughest conditions first, we were able to check the reliability of all the components,” said technical director Laurent Fregosi. “What is more, there isn’t just one type of gravel. Finland and Mexico offer completely different surfaces. So we wanted to explore that diversity by testing the car on asphalt, where the operating window is narrower.”
While the differences between a WRC car’s gravel and asphalt setups are minimal, they can still be vital, as Fregosi points out. “The biggest change is in the suspension. We use lighter parts that allow us to reduce the ground clearance. The drivetrain kinematics are also adapted to the 18″ wheels. Large wheels mean we can increase brake disc diameter and use water-cooled calipers.”
“We should also mention the lighter body protection. On the aerodynamic front, we now have the ability to adapt the lower part of the front bumper specifically for asphalt.”
Fregosi goes on to say that during tests, the drivers were able to “assess the effects of mechanical parameters, such as spring stiffness, the anti-roll bar and the differential. Overall, the results were positive and we know where we are at. Once again, the car’s reliability allowed us to get plenty of kilometers in.”
Right now, all of these tests are vital in order for the engineers and drivers to meet their main objective, namely the Rallye Monte-Carlo on January 16th 2017.
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