Paris Motor show witnessed the launches of various concepts, hybrids and electric cars. But it doesn’t mean that there was no place for true blooded racecars at the show. Manufacturers took the opportunity to demonstrate their motorsport prowess on stage and here are the few of the best race cars of the Paris Motor show.
Citroen C3 WRC:
Marking its return to the FIA World Rally Championship, Citroen revealed their C3 WRC concept at the Paris Motor Show. The car still quoted as a concept will remain more or less the same when it takes the track with an enormous rear wing, front splitters, bulging front and rear wheel arches. The car is compliant with the FIA’s regulations. It is lighter by 25kg than the previous car and powered by more potent 1.6-litre turbo-petrol putting out around 380bhp.
Further details haven’t been revealed by the manufacturer letting its rivals do the guessing. Being the most successful manufacturer in WRC history with 96 victories and eight manufacturer title, Citroen’s intentions are clear when the car makes its debut in Monte Carlo Rally early next year.
Audi RS 3 LMS:
Along with the RS 3 Sedan at the Motor Show, Audi revealed their new RS3 LMS race car. The car is intended to compete in the Touring Car Racing (TCR) International Racing series. It has got flared wheel fenders, stripped out interior, roll cage and a big front splitter.
Powering the car is a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo engine that’s mandated by TCR, it belts out a quite healthy 330bhp, which is actually 70bhp less than the standard RS 3. The power is put on the road by a racing sequential gearbox. With a low weight of just 1285kg, the car can accelerate to 100kmph in just 4.5 seconds with a top speed of 240kmph. The price for the performance is Rs 96.24 lakh.
Peugeot 3008 DKR:
On the occasion of the Paris Motor show, French manufacturer Peugeot showcased their plans for 2017 Dakar Rally with their 3008 DKR race car. The car is based on their crossover the 3008 which has been purpose-built to take on the gruesome Dakar stage across South America.
The standard 3008 uses a 2.0-litre diesel engine, while the Dakar monster gets a 3.0-litre V6 with 340bhp on tap and a whopping 800Nm of torque. The power is sent to rear wheel through a six-speed sequential transmission. The car gets a double-wishbone front and rear suspension as well dual dampers on each wheel. It all makes the car capable of doing 200kmph just about anywhere it ventures. With Carlos Sainz and Lucas Cruz at the wheel, the 3008 DKR will make its debut next month at the rally of Morocco.
Hyundai i20 WRC:
Hyundai made use of the stage at the Paris Motor Show to reveal their 2017 World Rally Championship contender - the i20 WRC. With compliance to the new regulation for the cars at the rally championship, the car is now almost ready for next year. Work on the car started in April and will finally be completed to be launched later this year.
The car at the show had temporary livery and new bodywork. Several other features include redesigned grille, front splitters, new headlight design with red inserts, and wide wheel arches. Power comes from a turbocharged 1.6-liter four cylinder engine as in the previous model, but due to a change in regulation of using 36mm restrictor plates on the turbochargers, rather than the current 33mm, power output increases from 300bhp to around 380bhp. With better freedom in the regulation, the teams worked on more power, more downforce, electronic active central differential and the longer and wider vehicles.
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup:
Alongside the E-Hybrid Panamera, Porsche also showcased its racecar -the new 911 GT3 Cup, at the Paris Motor Show. Replacing the 3.8-litre flat six is a new 4.0-litre naturally aspirated direct-injection flat six engine with power figures of 478bhp, which is 25bhp more than its predecessor.
The new GT3 Cup is now lighter at just 1200kg and features more reliable technology that have been used for the first time like a valve drive with rigidly-mounted rocker arms and a central oil feed to optimise oil defoaming in the engine. Aerodynamically the car gets a new front and rear apron, changed bodywork and a massive 72-inch rear wing, as seen on the previous car. The wheels are centrally locking 18-inches with Michelin rubber, and the car also gets the necessary roll-cage with new FIA standard roof rescue hatch.
The GT3 Cup will go into action at the GT3 Cup in the 2017 racing season, Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, Porsche Carrera German Cup and later in different GT classes.
