Citroen is weighing up the prospect of making a new hot hatch based on the new-generation C3 supermini, revealed last week.
On sale in January 2017, the new Citroen C3 borrows several design elements from the quirky C4 Cactus. Highlights include protective Airbumps along its sides, a two-tier headlight structure at the front and the distinct x-shape design for the wheels.
Full pricing and specification details have not been confirmed yet, but the new Citroen C3 can be expected to start from about £9,000 to £10,000.
The last time Citroen made a sporty hatchback was back when the DS 3 was part of the French manufacturer’s main brand. Citroen created the limited edition DS 3 Racing back in 2011 and it used a 204bhp 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine. Then in 2014 a convertible version of this car, the DS 3 Cabrio Racing, was also launched in a very limited production run.
Nowadays however, DS-badged cars like the DS 3 have been separated into their own brand which emphasises premium quality ahead of things like performance.
Recent online reports indicate though that Citroen are considering using the upcoming C3 as a way of allowing the brand to offer a hot hatch once again. A major influence swaying Citroen bosses is the fact that the manufacturer will return to the World Rally Championship full-time in 2017 and will use a car (seen above) based on the new C3 to compete.
Motorsport programmes often inspire manufacturers to create cars that put extra emphasis on performance. Citroen’s upcoming WRC project could finally inspire Citroen to make a rival to the likes of the Ford Fiesta ST and Peugeot 208 GTi.
