The Citroen C-Elyse WTCC will be the first vehicle to be designed in accordance with new regulationsWith a truly global audience, the WTCC provides an ideal platform to showcase the  Citroen C-Elysee to key marketsCitroen C-Elyse WTCC to make its public debut at Frankfurt International Motor Show in SeptemberOne month after confirming that it would be entering the World Touring Car Championship in 2014, Citroen can now reveal the model that will be driven on the circuits by Sbastien Loeb. The Citroen C-Elysee WTCC will be the very first vehicle to be designed in accordance with the new regulations, currently being prepared by the FIA for the category next year.On 26 September of last year, at the opening of the 2012 Paris Motor Show, Frdric Banzet, Yves Matton and Sebastien Loeb announced that Citron was considering taking part in the World Touring Car Championship. A few minutes earlier, the C-Elysee had just been unveiled for the first time to the worlds media. Ten months on, these two events come together again with the release of the first pictures of Citroen C-Elysee WTCC!Benefitting from the best of the Brands expertise in terms of style, development and quality, Citroen C-Elysee is a C-segment saloon aimed principally at high-growth, international markets such as those in Latin America, the Mediterranean region, China and Russia. Widely acclaimed by customers, Citron C-Elyse is already 30% ahead of its initial sales target, with 30,000 orders placed.Choosing C-Elysee as the basis for our WTCC car reflects very clearly our determination to use racing as an active means of supporting our commercial development,emphasised Frdric Banzet, CEO of the Citron Brand. With rounds in Latin America, Morocco, China and Russia, the WTCC race calendar is genuinely global, and it will be a real advantage to run a C-Elyse, a key driver of our growth, in front of large crowds of enthusiastic motorsport fans.From a strictly technical perspective, the choice of a three-box saloon body was ideal in terms of aerodynamics. C-Elysee was therefore the perfect choice, added Xavier Mestelan-Pinon, Citroen Racings Technical Director. Apart from this aspect, we were able to install the various components fairly easily. Insofar as this is our first track racing car, we constantly had to ask ourselves questions about the relevance of our choices, but that's what makes this a particularly exciting challenge.Firmly anchored to the tarmac on its 18-inch wheels, C-Elysee WTCC is, quite simply, formidable. Featuring an integrated aerodynamic splitter, the front bumper accentuates the radiator grille with its prominent double chevron. The widened front and rear wings lend the car's bodywork a decidedly racing feel. At the rear, the stylish rear wing will ensure that the car hugs the track.Under the bonnet, Citroen C-Elyse WTCC is powered by the same 1.6-litre direct injection turbocharged engine as the DS3 WRC. With a wider booster flange, power output is now close to 380bhp. The car comes with a front-wheel drive transmission, controlled by a six-speed sequential gearbox.After making its first track outing a few days ago, Citron C-Elysee WTCC has now begun a programme of development tests. The car will make its first public appearance at the Frankfurt International Motor Show (12-22 September).TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS - C-Elysee WTCC

CHASSISStructure - Reinforced body with welded, multi-point roll cage

Bodywork - Steel and composite fibre

ENGINEType - Citroen Racing - 1.6-litre turbocharged direct injection engine

Bore x stroke 82x75.5mm

Capacity 1,598cc

Maximum power 380bhp at 6,000rpm

Maximum torque 400Nm at 4,500rpm

Specific output 237.8bhp/litre

Distribution - Double overhead camshaft/ 4 valves per cylinder

Fuel feed - Direct injection controlled by Magneti Marelli unit

CLUTCHType - Carbon-fibre twin-disk

TRANSMISSIONType - Front-wheel driveGearbox - Sadev six-speed sequential Manual controlDifferentials - Mechanical self-locking differential

BRAKESFront - 380mm ventilated discs with four-piston callipersRear - 300mm ventilated discs, with two-piston callipersDistribution - Adjustable from cockpit

SUSPENSIONType - MacPherson (front and rear)Shock absorbers - Adjustable

STEERINGType - Hydraulic power-assisted steering

WHEELSDimensions 10x18-inch wheels Yokohama tyres (0 660 x 275)

DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES

Length/width - 4,577mm/1,950mm

Wheel base - 2,700mm

Track - 1,750mm (front and rear)

Fuel tank - 50 litres

Weight - 1,100kg with driver (regulations)