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I don't think it is coincidence that Xsara is one of the most reliable, if not the most reliable rally cars today. It was tested and developed for so long that it is only natural consequence. The story began after Citroen somewhat surprisingly won Catalunya and Corsica 1999 with Xsara Kit Car. FIA imposed 40 kg extra weight and air intake restrictor for F2 Kit Cars, effectively rendering them uncompetitive against WRCars. Citroen needed a new car if they were to challenge for top honours.
Since Citroen is part of the same PSA Group than Peugeot and since Peugeot already was engaged in World Rally Championship, PSA did not permit Citroen to upgrade from F2 to World Rally Car. This despite work had already begun and car was in advanced state. Five months later the decision was reversed and Citroen resumed their work.
In many ways Xsara WRC is built upon Kit Car foundation, for example front suspension and much of the bodyshell are the same. But most of the car is different or rather, completely different. Obviously, turbo charged engine and four-wheel drive system are such parts but for example also rear-suspension and clutch are entirely different. Kit Car engine was cast iron block, WRC engine is aluminium.
Guiding principle of design has been simplicity and reliability. For example gearbox is transverse because longitudinal would have complicated transmission too much, even if it offers better overall weight distribution. One curious thing about Citroen Xsara WRC is that there has not been evolution versions. Car has been constantly developed but never truly relaunched. That is why the data below is for the newest known specification and achievements span several years.
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| Debut WRC event: | Catalunya 2001 |
| Best WRC result: | 1st by Jesus Puras in Corsica 2001
1st by Sebastien Loeb in Deutschland 2002
1st by Sebastien Loeb in Monte Carlo 2003
1st by Carlos Sainz in Turkey 2003
1st by Sebastien Loeb in Deutschland 2003
1st by Sebastien Loeb in San Remo 2003
1st by Sebastien Loeb in Monte Carlo 2004
1st by Sebastien Loeb in Sweden 2004
1st by Sebastien Loeb in Cyprus 2004
1st by Sebastien Loeb in Turkey 2004
1st by Carlos Sainz in Argentina 2004
1st by Sebastien Loeb in Deutschland 2004
1st by Sebastien Loeb in Australia 2004
1st by Sebastien Loeb in Monte Carlo 2005
1st by Sebastien Loeb in New Zealand 2005
1st by Sebastien Loeb in Sardinia 2005
1st by Sebastien Loeb in Cyprus 2005
1st by Sebastien Loeb in Turkey 2005
1st by Sebastien Loeb in Acropolis 2005
1st by Sebastien Loeb in Argentina 2005
1st by Sebastien Loeb in Deutschland 2005
1st by Sebastien Loeb in Corsica 2005
1st by Sebastien Loeb in Catalunya 2005
1st by Francois Duval in Australia 2005
1st by Sebastien Loeb in Mexico 2006
1st by Sebastien Loeb in Catalunya 2006
1st by Sebastien Loeb in Corsica 2006
1st by Sebastien Loeb in Argentina 2006
1st by Sebastien Loeb in Sardinia 2006
1st by Sebastien Loeb in Deutschland 2006
1st by Sebastien Loeb in Japan 2006
1st by Sebastien Loeb in Cyprus 2006 |
| Rallies contested: | 58 | (works entries) |
| WRC starts: | 137 | (works entries) |
| Outright wins: | 32 | (wins to rallies ratio 55.2%) |
| Podiums: | 78 | (podiums to starts ratio 56.9%) |
| DNF's: | 32 | (DNF's to starts ratio 23.4 %) |
| Points scored: | 753 | (manufacturer championship points) |
| Avg points per rally: | 13.0 | |
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| Group and class | World Rally Car |
| Engine |
| Location: | Front transverse |
| Turbo: | Yes |
| Cylinders: | 4 in line |
| Valves: | 16 |
| Bore x stroke: | 85.5 x 87.0 mm |
| Cubic capacity: | 1998 cc |
| Power: | 315 hp |
| Torque: | 568 Nm |
| Dimensions |
| Length: | 4167 mm |
| Width: | 1770 mm |
| Height: | 1390 mm |
| Wheelbase: | 2555 mm |
| Front track: | 1568 mm |
| Rear track: | 1568 mm |
| Weight: | 1230 kg |
| Transmission |
| Drive: | 4WD |
| Gearbox: | Transverse |
| Gears: | 6 |
| Sequential: | Yes |
| Clutch plates: | 3 |
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Citroen's prototype of World Rally Car, known as Xsara T4, during testing. This car still uses pre-facelift body with narrow front lights.
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Citroen Xsara WRC
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