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).

New 2008 succeeds before first car is delivered.

• More than 1,300 orders taken for 2008 prior to its arrival in UK showrooms
• Peugeot 2008 Crossover available from £12,995
• Four trim levels offer a wide choice and high specification
• Grip Control available as standard on certain versions
• Today’s the day when one of the most eagerly anticipated new cars of the year officially goes on sale – and it’s already a big hit.

The Peugeot 2008 is a compact crossover like no other, bringing contemporary design, a versatile interior and a new level of sophistication to this expanding sector of the market.

Even before it has arrived in UK showrooms, more than 1,300 orders for the car have been placed. And excitement in the UK reflects what has already taken place in numerous other European countries, where the car has been on sale for just two months. More than 32,000 have been sold, beating all sales objectives.

In the UK 1,323 confirmed orders have been taken for the car, prior to its arrival in Dealer showrooms. Demand is two-thirds diesel with the e-HDi 92 in Allure trim accounting for 20% of orders so far. The e-HDi 115 in Feline trim is the second most popular model. All 1.6 litre petrol and diesel models in Allure and Feline specification come with Peugeot’s unique Grip Control as standard.

Neil Moscrop, Director of Sales for Peugeot UK commented: “We’ve been thrilled with the number of customers who have made a concrete commitment to the 2008. That the two higher-grade trim levels are getting so much attention shows what a fantastic product we’ve got, both in terms of specification and value for money.”

Colour choices are also interesting, with Bianca White taking 36% of orders. Second most popular is Pearl White with 18% take-up. It means that together the two white shades are accounting for more than half of all orders. Cumulus Grey is the third most popular colour, with 14%.

The 2008 marks Peugeot’s debut in the compact crossover arena. Launched at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, it brings a more practical, innovative and family-oriented vehicle to the B-segment by combining the talents of two acclaimed Peugeot vehicles. It blends the versatile design of the 3008 with all the features, performance and low-emission engines of the new 208 supermini.

Peugeot’s on-going new product offensive has generated excellent sales results in the first half of 2013.

Official figures reveal the brand sold an impressive 56,253 new cars in the UK from January to June, compared with 52,482 in the same period last year. This is a rise of more than 7%, with retail sales being the main driver, up 17%.

The growth is due to exceptional demand for models right across the Peugeot range, from the outstanding value of the 107 city car to the recently face-lifted RCZ Sports Coupé. However, key to the rise in sales has been the continuing success of the all-new Peugeot 208 which has been given an extra boost by the arrival of the sophisticated 208 XY and the performance-oriented 208 GTi models.

The practical appeal of the 2008 Crossover, with more than 1,300 advance orders received before the official on sale date of 18th July, means 2013 should be another very successful year for Peugeot.