Citroën C4 WRC: four years of success in pictures

After four years of a sparkling career, four world titles and a 100% record on asphalt events, the C4 WRC finished in high-style catching its 36th win in 56 rallies at the recent Wales Rally of Great Britain.

In 2011 the C4 WRC will be replaced by the new DS3 WRC, but said farewell to the rallies with a great season, with Loeb and Elena achieving a unique feat of winning points in every rally, with an average score of 21.

Celebrating one of the most successful rally cars in WRC history and turning the page into a new era of WRC cars, Citroën gathered some of the car’s best moments in pictures.

Image 1: Unveiling at Paris Motorshow, 2006

The unveiling of the successful C4 WRC took place at the Paris Motor Show in 2006, as the brand was planning to re-enter the WRC as a Works manufacturer team. The C4 WRC was the car developed the also successful Citroën’s Xsara WRC, which had already felt the joy of winning by the hands of Colin McRae, Carlos Sainz and Sébastien Loeb.

Image 2: Racing debut at Monte Carlo, 2007

On its first race 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. That would be the first of eight victories throughout the 2007 season, which secured the WRC drivers title to Sébastien Loeb. This was only the first appetizer of what was to come over the next four years.

Image 3: Victory at Rally GB 2007 seals drivers title for Loeb

The first title for the C4 WRC was only clinched on the final round of that year’s season. The C4 WRC flew through the stages of the Welsh forests and showed its quality on the slippery conditions.

Image 4: Argentina 2008

Starting the 2008 season the aim of 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 of this journey 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 campaign which gave Loeb the 2008 title and Citroën’s first manufacturer title with the C4 WRC.

Image 5: Norway 2009

The C4 WRC also proved to be an excellent competitor in Norway, where some of the toughest stages in the world are held. Sébastien Loeb managed to offer the Scandinavian drivers a tough competition, as they thrive in the wintery conditions.

Image 6: Citroën tries out Hybrid Technology

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.

Image 7: Triple podium in Portugal 2010

In this year’s 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 feat 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.

Image 8: Turkey record-breaking jump

In this year’s Rally of Turkey Sébastien Loeb showed that rallying is all about thrills, spills and ‘big air’. Here Loeb takes his C4 on a gravity-defying leap on the Ballica stage on his way to another victory.

Image 9: Home victory and a Championship for Citroën and Loeb

This year’s overall drivers’ and manufacturers’ world titles were once again conquered by Citroën and Loeb. This time the victories had a special flavor as they were clinched on home soil, on the Rally of France.

Image 10: The end of an era

At the 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, in a very competitive event. The four year reign at the top of the championship tables had come to an end.

Olivier Quesnel, the Citroën Racing Team Principal commented, “With ten wins in thirteen rallies I think that Citroën Racing has had its best season since it arrived in the world championship. We had two aims this year: continue winning with the C4 and prepare for the future by developing the DS3 WRC. We’ll see in Sweden if we’ve done a good job, but I’m feeling confident for 2011.”