Tuesday 17th October 2017

C3 hot hatch still on?

Latest comments from Citroen CEO would suggest a WRC-inspired hot hatch could still happen

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Remember earlier this year when Citroen confessed it needed a bit of help with a hot hatch project? It sounded bizarre, for two reasons: not only had Citroen never delivered a hot hatch to capitalise on its incredible WRC success, it hadn't really done a genuinely exciting small hot hatch since the Saxo VTS.

Still, the suggestions rolled in and now the latest comments from CEO Linda Jackson - reported by Autocar - are suggesting that a new pocket rocket Citroen might still happen. While saying that she would "like to see some links between the C3 on road and track" is hardly a commitment to a new model, it does signal some intent; Kris Meeke winning in Spain recently won't have harmed the C3's cause either.

Product planning boss Xavier Peugeot - and yes, that really is his name - has suggested that a bridge should be made between the road car and the competition car, but with Citroen elements to it and not simply loads more power. What exactly that means we don't know yet - hydropneumatic suspension? A single-spoke steering wheel? Yellow foglamps? Let's see.

Evidently the prospect of a faster C3 continues to be discussed, but without making a great deal of progress. Hopefully the imminent arrival of the new Polo GTI and Fiesta ST may expedite the process a little, plus the WRC-inspired Yaris GRMN. Another small French hot hatch in the world has to be a good thing, doesn't it?

Inspired? Buy a Citroen C3 here

[Source: Autocar]

[dunnoreally]

I forget, does this C3 share it's architecture with the Pug 208? Because if so, surely most of the work has already been done in the form of the GTi. I mean since we're talking about the Saxo vts here...

[300bhp/ton]

No relation to rallying. And modern rallying sucks!!!! Shame as I’d love to own a newer road going rally car.

But I guess car makers and the FIA just like deluding themselves.

[DanielSan]

Anyone who'd actually watched WRC this year wouldn't say it's boring. But given it doesn't festure anything with the chassis from an old cart or a Mustang badge it might be a bit beyond your comprehension

[300bhp/ton]

DanielSan said:

Anyone who'd actually watched WRC this year wouldn't say it's boring. But given it doesn't festure anything with the chassis from an old cart or a Mustang badge it might be a bit beyond your comprehension

How little whit you have my friend. And yes have seen some rallying this year. And it still sucks. Just visited Prodrive this past weekend. Which only reinforces the opinion. Which odly tallies with some of the people who work there.

Don’t own a mustang either. But please don’t let facts interrupt you

[redroadster]

How hard is it to produce road going body kits it panels that can be dealer fitted ? Firms Luke puma speed do for fiestas maybe this is way forward instead of full production line models for smaller volumes ?