C4 WRC (France, 2007)

The C4 WRC had four years of a sparkling career as rally car, winning four world titles and a 100% record on asphalt events. In 2011 the C4 WRC was replaced by the new DS3 WRC.

The C4 WRC finished its career as one of the most successful rally cars in WRC history, catching its 36th win in 56 rallies at the 2010 Wales Rally of Great Britain.

The car was initially unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in 2006, as Citroën was planning to re-enter the WRC as a Works manufacturer team. In its first race in 2007 the C4 WRC outlasted the whole competition and blasted to one-two finish, dominating on the hills of Monte-Carlo with Sébastien Loeb behind the wheel. This was the first of eight victories throughout the 2007 season. This was only the first appetizer of what was to come over the next four years. The first title for the C4 WRC was only clinched on the final round of that year’s season, with the victory at Rally GB 2007, which sealed the drivers title for Loeb.

For the 2008 season the aim was to retain Loeb’s drivers crown and to add a constructors crown to the team with the support of team mate Dani Sordo in the sister C4 WRC. The start was made in Argentina and went on to be a successful season with the C4 WRC showing its adaptability to different conditions. This was one of the key assets during the season, which gave Loeb the 2008 title and Citroën’s first manufacturer title with the C4 WRC.

During the 2009 season, in April, Citroën revealed a hybrid version of the C4 WRC. A test program was undertaken in Portugal, with Dani Sordo in the driving seat setting some impressive times.

In the 2010 Rally of Portugal the C4 WRC was the clear dominator. Besides conquering the three podium places with Sébastien Ogier, Loeb and Sordo, the C4 WRC was also in fourth by the hands of Petter Solberg. This was once again a demonstration of the car’s dominance on tarmac events. The C4 was undefeated at tarmac-based events during its four-year history in the WRC and hence the 2010 overall drivers’ and manufacturers’ world titles were once again conquered by Citroën and Loeb, this time at the Rally of France.

At the 2010 Rally of Wales (Great Britain) the C4 WRC ended its era in the World Rally Championship and finished on a high note with a final victory. The four year reign at the top of the championship tables had come to an end.