Citroën reveals its WTCC 2014 challenger – the Citroën C-Elysée WTCC

• Citroën reveals its WTCC 2014 challenger – the Citroën C-Elysée WTCC
• The Citroën C-Elysée WTCC will be the first vehicle to be designed in accordance with new regulations
• With a truly global audience, the WTCC provides an ideal platform to showcase the  Citroën C-Elysée to key markets
• Citroën C-Elysée WTCC to make its public debut at Frankfurt International Motor Show in September

One month after confirming that it would be entering the World Touring Car Championship in 2014, Citroën can now reveal the model that will be driven on the circuits by Sébastien Loeb. The Citroën C-Elysée WTCC will be the very first vehicle to be designed in accordance with the new regulations, currently being prepared by the FIA for the category next year.

On 26 September of last year, at the opening of the 2012 Paris Motor Show, Frédéric Banzet, Yves Matton and Sébastien Loeb announced that Citroën was considering taking part in the World Touring Car Championship. A few minutes earlier, the C-Elysée had just been unveiled for the first time to the world’s media. Ten months on, these two events come together again with the release of the first pictures of Citroën C-Elysée WTCC!

Benefitting from the best of the Brand’s expertise in terms of style, development and quality, Citroën C-Elysée is a C-segment saloon aimed principally at high-growth, international markets such as those in Latin America, the Mediterranean region, China and Russia. Widely acclaimed by customers, Citroën C-Elysée is already 30% ahead of its initial sales target, with 30,000 orders placed.

“Choosing C-Elysée as the basis for our WTCC car reflects very clearly our determination to use racing as an active means of supporting our commercial development,”emphasised Frédéric Banzet, CEO of the Citroën Brand. “With rounds in Latin America, Morocco, China and Russia, the WTCC race calendar is genuinely global, and it will be a real advantage to run a C-Elysée, a key driver of our growth, in front of large crowds of enthusiastic motorsport fans.”

“From a strictly technical perspective, the choice of a three-box saloon body was ideal in terms of aerodynamics. C-Elysée was therefore the perfect choice,” added Xavier Mestelan-Pinon, Citroën Racing’s Technical Director. “Apart from this aspect, we were able to install the various components fairly easily. Insofar as this is our first track racing car, we constantly had to ask ourselves questions about the relevance of our choices, but that's what makes this a particularly exciting challenge.”

Firmly anchored to the tarmac on its 18-inch wheels, C-Elysée WTCC is, quite simply, formidable. Featuring an integrated aerodynamic splitter, the front bumper accentuates the radiator grille with its prominent double chevron. The widened front and rear wings lend the car's bodywork a decidedly racing feel. At the rear, the stylish rear wing will ensure that the car hugs the track.

Under the bonnet, Citroën C-Elysée WTCC is powered by the same 1.6-litre direct injection turbocharged engine as the DS3 WRC. With a wider booster flange, power output is now close to 380bhp. The car comes with a front-wheel drive transmission, controlled by a six-speed sequential gearbox.

After making its first track outing a few days ago, Citroën C-Elysée WTCC has now begun a programme of development tests. The car will make its first public appearance at the Frankfurt International Motor Show (12-22 September).

Ford India sells 30,000 EcoSports in 17 days

•  Ford India records 30,000 bookings for Ford EcoSport in 17 days
   
• Ford EcoSport’s captivating design and smart package draws buyers from different vehicle segments and demographics 
• Ford dealerships are witnessing a significant surge in footfalls 

Indian consumers have recognized the compelling value proposition the all-new Ford EcoSport offers them, resulting in the SUV attracting over 30,000 bookings in just 17 days of its launch. Having witnessed unprecedented enquiries and growing order bank for the Ford EcoSport, Ford India is working hard to optimize deliveries and reduce the waiting time for delivery.

 

Joginder Singh, president and managing director, Ford India said, “We had high expectations of  the Ford EcoSport and the unabated response post the launch has been truly gratifying. Consumers are appreciating the value-for-money proposition that we are offering in the EcoSport’s compelling and smart package. We thank our customers for their overwhelming response and appreciate their patience. The Ford India team is working closely with the  suppliers at our Chennai facility to enhance output of the Ecosport to reduce the waiting period and to meet the high demand.”

 

Ford EcoSport’s unique positioning, combined with its versatile “power of choice” with three engine options available, has been increasingly drawing the attention of consumers from varied demographics and those consider purchasing vehicles of other bodystyles. The Ford EcoSport delivers the feel and dynamics of a car wrapped in an SUV bodystyle and epitomizes Ford India’s product-led transformation.

 

Since the launch of EcoSport last month, Ford India is experiencing a significant rise in footfalls at dealerships across all regions and most dealerships are witnessing record levels of daily bookings, with enquiries extending to other Ford nameplates as well. Out of the 260 dealer touch points in 138 cities, 40% cover Tier II and III, and these have been in readiness for this overwhelming demand for the Ford EcoSport.

 

Joginder Singh added, “We are happy to see consumers spending time in our showrooms, wanting to know more about our vehicles and acknowledging the value proposition we have been always offering on our other nameplates also – Ford Figo, Ford Classic, Ford Fiesta and the Ford Endeavour.”   

 

The Ford EcoSport was launched on June 26, 2013 with its entry-level variant priced at Rs. 5.59 lakh (ex-showroom, New Delhi). Offered in 10 variants across four trims, three engine options in manual and a petrol automatic transmission option, and seven colours, the EcoSport also comes with an array of smart segment-first features like Ford SYNC® and Emergency Assistance.

 

Ford also offers its globally acclaimed EcoBoost technology with the patented 1.0-litre EcoBoost engine on the all-new Ford EcoSport. The award-winning three-cylinder engine delivers power and performance of a traditional 1.6-litre engine with a class-leading fuel economy of 18.9 km/L. The revolutionary engine has won the ‘International Engine of the Year’ award twice consecutively in 2012 and 2013. Additionally, the SUV is also available with the proven, fuel-economical 1.5-litre petrol engine with twin independent variable camshaft timing delivering 15.8 km/L, and the proven 1.5-litre diesel engine that delivers 22.7 km/L. 

 

The Ford EcoSport highlights the fruition of Ford’s additional investment of US$ 142 million towards capacity expansion at its integrated manufacturing facility in Chennai -- the home of this urban SUV. The design and technology of this Chennai-built vehicle from Ford’s global platform reflects the evolving tastes and requirements of the Indian consumer.