Citroën to unveil DS4 Racing 'concept'

Citroën is set to debut its all-new DS4 Racing concept at next month's Geneva show as part of its evolution of the DS lineup.

The concept, developed by Citroën Racing – the company's seven-time WRC winning motorsports division – is host to a range of new features courtesy of the Citroën Racing engineers.

The chassis has been lowered by 35mm from that of the DS3, with the track being widened by 55mm at the front and 75mm at the rear along with the inclusion of 19-inch wheels. This has the effect of further confusing the DS4 proposition, whose raised ride height both marked it out as a crossover and differentiated it from the more conventional C4 hatchback.

To attract attention to the lines of the car, Citroën engineers have used textured-effect matt grey paint, designed to capture the DS4's surfacing.

The concept has been fitted with a two-tone roof and two-tone wheels complete with a special DS4 Racing design. The DS4 Racing concept features new carbon-fiber components including an air diffuser, front splitter and wheel arch extensions.

While it is billed as a concept, it is fully expected to hit production later in 2012.

By Rufus Thompson