8 times World Rally Champion Sebastien Loeb has been testing the Citroën DS3 WRC on the roads of the Monte Carlo just weeks ahead of the first round of the WRC season, which will take place between the 17th and 22nd of January in the Principality of Monaco, and here is a short video documenting the event. The Monte Carlo rally has just been reinstated in the World Rally Championship calendar after a 3 year long absence, but this fact did not dent its status as the most prestigious and famous rally race of the planet, and Mr.Loeb knows that only too well having won the event no less than 6 times. We will see whether this year it will be a good start for the Frenchman’s 9th title campaign.

video | Motors Television

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This last weekend Citroën DS3 won its 1st manufacturer World Rally Championship during the last WRC event of the season in Wales, which is also the 7th one for the French manufacturer in the last 9 years (with 3 wins each for the Xsara and the C4). Contextually, French legend Sebastien Loeb was crowned World Champion for the 8th consecutive year - strengthening his status as the most successful driver in the sport’s history - even though he couldn’t finish the race because of an accident with a spectator in a hire car.

Citroën DS3 WRC is powered by a four-cylinder, 1,598 cc turbocharged engine, with 4 valves per cylinder and direct injection controlled by a Magneti Marelli SRP-HP unit. Designed and built from start to finish by Citroën Racing, this engine delivers 300 hp at 6,000 rpm and 350 Nm at 3,250 rpm. The power gets to all four wheels through a manual 6 speed sequential transmission by Savel mated to a cerametallic twin-disk clutch. The car uses ventilated 4 piston calipers and disc brakes on both ends - whose diameter changes according to the surface - while the suspension (McPherson type for both axles) has been specifically developed by Citroën Racing.

Pictures | Citroen-wrc.com

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Be still my beating heart! I always kind of liked the Citroen DS3 and this DS3 Racing model, driven by Sebastien Loeb, has got me sold. Cute guy, cute car….although I was up for a car chase that never happened. The DS3 Racing model is the more performance version of the DS3, equipped with a 1.6-litre THP with 202 hp. The DS3 is Citroen’s new WRC model and will be driven by Loeb in the next championship. You can see pics of the DS3 WRC model from our 2010 Paris motor show coverage.

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We thought we’d get patriotic on behalf of the French and check out the the Citroen stand at the 2010 Paris Motor Show. The new Citroen C4 and Citroen DS4 are on display, as is the remarkable DS3 WRC model - it’s a real head-turner just for its paint job if nothing else. The five-door C4 is an elegant model, not particularly riské but then if you want something more eye-catching, Citroen is betting that you’ll go with the DS4. It’s got good looks even if interior comfort is perhaps not the best.

The Citroen C4 Picasso gets a restyling as well as the C5 with new headlights with LED technology. The Citroen Lacoste concept car is also on display as Citroen’s take on the partnership-with-a-stylist theme. The Lacoste looks like it could be a summer successor to the Mehari model, created strictly for free-time fun.

Live in Paris Citroen C4, DS4, DS3 WRC and Lacoste Concept

Continue reading: Citroen DS3 WRC, DS4, C4 and Lacoste live at the 2010 Paris Motor Show

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In what could be his last World Rally Championship, Sebastien Loeb will drive this Citroen DS3 WRC next year and while we only get a fleeting, in-the-dark glimpse of the car in this video, we can’t wait to see it revealed on September 30th. The 2011 Citroen rally model will be presented at the 2010 Paris Motor Show in what will be a busy event for French car manufacturers. Meanwhile, the WRC is getting awfully sexy, with the Mini Countryman competing next year as well. Bring it on!

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