Citroen's new car revealed.
Citroen's newest car, the C2-R2 MAX, will be homologated by the FIA at the start of next month.
The car, which has been designed to the new FIA 'Group R' regulations and which will be eligible for competition in the FIA Junior World Rally Championship, was launched at Satory's Val d'Or circuit today [Wednesday].
It had previously been shown off at the end of last year at the Rallye de France-Tour de Corse.
"We felt that it was necessary to expand the range of our competition cars, as we saw a gap between our two best-selling C2 rally variants: the C2 Super 1600 and the C2 R2," explained Jean-François Liénéré, Citroen Sport's customer competition manager.
"This new 'intermediate' car can be run to a budget, but it also has more spirited performance than the C2-R2. The C2-R2 MAX appeals both to the heart and to the head - and it offers the best compromise between performance, price and driving pleasure available on the market today."
The modifications over the standard C2-R2 are chiefly to the engine, which gets an increase in power. There is also though a more sophisticated suspension, stronger brakes, adjustable rear suspension, and a hydraulic steering rack.
"From the outside, the car looks largely the same," added Alexis Avril, Citroen Sport's customer competition technical manager. "The front and rear track are just a little bit wider. The main changes are under the bonnet, with a 1599cc engine that puts out 190 horsepower."
Simon Jean-Joseph and Sébastien Ogier meanwhile were both on hand at the launch, and while the latter will compete in the JWRC with the C2 S1600, the former will use the new C2-R2 MAX in a number of events, including four rounds of the IRC, one round of the ERC and the opening round in the Tesco 99 Octane MSA British Rally Championship.
"Simon has a great deal of experience in rallying and thanks to his exceptional talent he will be a fantastic ambassador for the company and for the C2-R2 MAX all over Europe this year," stated Citroen Sport director, Olivier Quesnel.
"As for Sébastien Ogier, he will get the chance to make his debut on the FIA Junior World Rally Championship in an Equipe de France FFSA-backed Citroën C2 Super 1600 - which has been made possible through a joint effort from Citroën Sport and the French Federation. His six-rally programme will start in Mexico at the end of the month."
Citroen will also run the 'C2 Junior Experience' in 2008, a scheme that rewards those drivers competing in the JWRC with C2s.
"After the promising results we obtained last year, we're delighted to continue the scheme in 2008," Quesnel continued. "We already have six competitors signed up: four in a C2 Super 1600 and two in a C2-R2.
"It's worth remembering that if the winner of the 2008 Junior World Rally Championship drives a Citroen C2, he will earn two rallies with a WRC car in 2009. For reasons of fairness, Sébastien Ogier - who is competing on the FIA Junior World Championship [and is supported by Citroen Sport] - will not take part in the C2 Junior Experience."
