Citroën thinks about the future

By presenting a hybrid version of its C4 WRC last year at the Paris Motor Show, Citroën did not just offer itself a publicity stunt in a show which was entirely dedicated to eco-friendliness. . This week, the Citroën C4 WRC HYbrid4 drove in Portugal during development tests.

Published on 09/04/2009 à 16:58

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Despite a busy schedule with the defense of world titles, Citroën Racing is also working on large-scale projects outside of competition. In 2008, Xavier Mestellan wanted to embark on an ecological project around the brand's commitment to WRC. The idea of a hybrid concept car was accepted by Olivier Quesnel and submitted to the management of Citroën who quickly supported the initiative.

A few months later, a C4 WRC equipped with a battery and an electric motor was running. The mission is successful but Citroën is going further today by carrying out tests, more experimentation than development, with this C4 WRC HYbrid4.

If the system still requires some fine-tuning, the electric mode remains no less impressive. When the pilot? in this case Dani Sordo? turns on the ignition without starting the combustion engine, he selects forward gear with the traditional steering wheel gearbox control and the car sets off without the slightest noise. With this mode, the C4 WRC is capable of covering around twenty kilometers. “It was in our specifications,” says Didier Raso, electricity system manager who is overseeing the project. “We sized the battery and the motor, capable of delivering 125 kW, with this objective. The presence of two engines allows us many gains. Combined, brake endurance is improved. In electric mode, we limit nuisance without wearing out the thermal engine. Finally, a Boost mode allows you to gain 300 Nm for a limited time. »

For the driver, this somewhat special C4 WRC does not differ greatly from the one he regularly leads to the podium: “There are 150 kilograms more on the rear axle, you feel the car is a little heavier. But it is above all in connection that everything changes. We can switch to electric mode in villages without waking up residents in the morning! »

The Citroën C4 WRC HYbrid4 demonstrates Citroën Racing's capabilities in developing a hybrid WRC. A first experiment that could alert the International Automobile Federation, which is seeking by all means to make competitions “greener”.