Citro"en reveals limited-edition DS3 Cabrio Racing

Wed, 18 Dec 2013

We know it may be hard to believe for those of us now covered in snow, but the summer wasn't that long ago, and won't be that long away, either. Just this past summer, Citroën rolled in to the Goodwood Festival of Speed with the DS3 Cabrio Racing Concept, a show car that – not unlike the Fiat 500C Abarth – combined the best attributes of the DS3 Cabrio and the firecracker DS3 Racing hot hatch. It wasn't long after that the concept was mooted for production, and now that day has come.

Announced together with Citroën's motorsport program for next season (when it will contest both the World Rally Championship and World Touring Car Championship), the most we've seen until now of the production DS3 Cabrio Racing has been a solitary image released with little in the way of details. But with a little prodding, the folks at Citroën were kind enough to spill the full beans on the new cloth-top hot hatch.

What we're looking at is a fairly faithful translation of the concept to production, with only a few discernable trim differences (like black mirror caps instead of chrome and body-colored front lip spoiler instead of red) to be gleaned. Power comes from the same 1.6-liter turbo four as the DS3 Racing hatchback (now quoted at an incrementally higher 207 horsepower that likely comes down to a rounding error), driving the front set of 18-inch wheels through a six-speed manual. Only instead of the glossy grey paintjob with flashy graphics and bright orange roof, this version has a matte grey finish with subtle anodized red accents and a fabric roof panel that folds back.

Weighing only 55 pounds more than the hatchback, performance is quoted at 6.5 seconds to 62 mph, covering the standing kilometer (3,280 feet) in 26.5 seconds. Only a limited quantity of individually-numbered examples will be available – though just how many, we don't know – starting next month. See the press release below for details and the image gallery above for a closer look on this particular piece of forbidden fruit we wouldn't mind getting our hands on.

Paris, 16 December 2013
CITROËN LAUNCHES LIMITED EDITION CITROËN DS3 CABRIO RACING

After turning heads at the Goodwood Festival and the Frankfurt Motor Show in concept car form, the CITROËN DS3 Cabrio Racing is hitting the road in production model guise. The limited edition, numbered model willbe available to order starting in January 2014.

This edition, directly inspired by the concept-car DS3 Cabrio Racing, combines all the qualities of
the CITROËN DS3 Racing with the pleasure of open-top driving provided by the DS3 Cabrio. A
coherent combination, as the CITROËN DS3 Cabrio has adopted a streamlined architecture
(only 25 kg heavier than the hatchback version), which means the car boasts responsive, agile
handling.

From the very first look, the CITROËN DS3 Cabrio Racing immerses the onlooker in a world of
ultra-customisation and athleticism.

Sporting the same distinctive design features as the CITROËN DS3 Cabrio, this model also
comes with resolutely Racing attributes such as the chrome-finish, twin exhaust pipes and the
genuine carbon finish deployed on numerous bodywork components (air diffuser, a semi-rigid
splitter in the front bumper, wraparound body stills, wing flares, etc.).

The CITROËN DS3 Cabrio Racing is available with an all-new body colour, matte Moondark
grey, combined with a black roof and gloss black 18-inch Nemesis wheel rims. The Carmin red
paint specific to the DS line is used on the wheel centres along with the DS logo, and on the
doors in a wide side strip that further underscores the sporty feel.

The cabin has also been given a very specific treatment. For example, the exclusive, matt-finish
Moondust Grey bodywork colour is also used on the upper dash and on many interior trim items
such as the central console of the instrument panel. The steering wheel inserts and the fascia
panel cap are finished with a carbon fibre effect. Lastly, the dashboard also features the Crimson
Red colour used on the vertical strip on the door interiors. The exclusive nature of the CITROËN
DS3 Cabrio Racing is clearly displayed with the CITROËN Racing signature on the headrest of

the front seats and a numbered identification plaque located on the base of the gearshift lever.
Performance lies at the core of the CITROËN DS3 Cabrio Racing. Its 207 bhp, 1.6-litre engine,
developed by CITROËN Racing, benefits from the expertise of the eight-time World Rally
Championship-winning team.

The CITROËN DS3 Cabrio Racing is a bespoke vehicle, with bold design choices and refinement
down to the last detail, a top-down DS3 with the performance and athletic looks of a CITROËN
Racing model.

Orders for the CITROËN DS3 Cabrio Racing open on 2 January 2014. The first people to order
will be able to take to the road in the limited edition model from the end of January.

Main characteristics
Dimensions (L x W x H) (mm): 3,962 x 1,717 x 1,443
Wheelbase (mm): 2,464
Engine: Racing 207 bhp with a 6-speed manual gearbox
CO2 emissions: 149 g/km
Combined fuel consumption: 6.4 l/100km
Engine type: 4 cylinder / 16 valve petrol + turbo
Capacity (cm3): 1,598
Maximum power bhp/kW: 207 / 149 at 6,000 rpm
Maximum torque (Nm): 275 at 2,000 rpm
Tyres: 215 / 40 R 18
1,000 m from standing start: 26.5 seconds
0 to 100 km/h: 6.5 seconds

Main equipment in addition to CITROËN DS3 Cabrio Sport Chic trim
Carbon finish inside and out
18-inch aluminium wheels
Navigation system (optional or standard depending on country)

Colours available
Matte Moondark grey / black canvas roof
Gloss Onyx black 18-inch Nemesis wheels
Carmin red wheel centres with DS logo

Upholstery
Trami Mistral mesh fabric upholstery / Alcantara with Brillant red overstitching
Sport seats (reinforced support) embossed with CITROËN RACING
Special protective mat and plip design

By Noah Joseph