Citroën C2 Challenge at the Frankfurt Motor Show 2003

At the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2003, Citroën is showing several new variants of its new baby, the C2.

Above and below - the C2 Challenge

C2 CHALLENGE: ALL-ROUND APPEAL!

The 60th International Frankfurt Motor Show is an opportunity for Automobiles Citroën to talk about continuity and loyalty to a sport, and also to unveil the C2 Challenge. From 1 March 2004, this car will spearhead the Marque’s promotional formulas.Giving young drivers an opportunity to demonstrate their racing skills is a key priority for Citroën.
This is the case not only in France, but also in other countries, where Citroën is represented by its subsidiaries and importers. The brand’s different promotional formulas, in which the drivers compete on equal terms, play a key role in revealing new talent. This creates an international skills pool from which Citroën Sport aims to identify the champions of tomorrow and guide them towards the top of the pyramid.

THE BOTTOM OF THE PYRAMID

The arrival of the C2 Challenge reflects this approach. The objective is to allow all young drivers to try out their motor racing skills at entry level with a competitive car designed to offer the best quality/price/performance ratio on the market.

GRAVEL, TARMAC & RALLYCROSS

With the C2 Challenge, Citroën Sport is remaining faithful to a sporting policy that includes promotional rally formulas on tarmac and gravel, as well as events on the rallycross track. The C2 Challenge “Rallycross” will be comparable to the rally version. Differences will concern the suspension system (springs and dampers adapted to the specific characteristics of this discipline) and the track safety equipment, with an obligatory window net in particular.

HOMOLOGATION & SALE

The C2 Challenge kit will be available from the customer competition parts store* as soon as it is approved on 1 March 2004. It will include all racing parts as well as the safety parts used by the vehicle in order to provide customers with car that is “ready to race” in a tarmac and/or gravel configuration.

Contacts at Citroën Sport:
Jean François Lienere- Head of customer competition programme
Tel: + 33 1 30 84 04 55 E-mail
Eric Choffel – Head of customer competition parts
Tel: + 33 1 30 84 04 58 E-mail

TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE C2 CHALLENGE – 2-wheel drive (gravel and asphalt)

ENGINE
Developed from the TU5JP4 production engine
Capacity (cc): 1,587
Bore/stroke (mm): 78.5 x 82
Max power (bhp – rpm): 155 / 7,000
Max torque (Nm - rpm): 175 / 5,500
Max rotation speed (rpm): 7,200
Specific output (bhp/l): 98 bhp/l

TIMING
2 overhead camshafts driven by a toothed belt
Mechanical tappet with adapted cam profile

FUEL SYSTEM
Magneti-Marelli multipoint injection
Single butterfly-valve type, diameter 52mm

TRANSMISSION
Front-wheel drive
Reinforced transmission shafts

CLUTCH SYSTEM
Pushed mechanism
Cera-metallic single disc
(diameter: 200mm)

GEARBOX
5-speed, ZF limited-slip differential

BRAKES
Front: ventilated discs
Asphalt 302 x 26 mm
4-pot callipers
Gravel 265 x 22 mm
1-pot callipers
Rear: 247 x 9 mm discs
1-pot callipers
Adjustable rear brakeforce limiter
Hydraulic handbrake

SUSPENSION
Front: MacPherson type, special joints, special hub carrier
Rear: H shaped axle, special joints,
Shock absorbers measuring 50 mm in diameter at front with external reservoirs at rear

STEERING
Special electric rack

WHEELS
Asphalt:
Rims: 6.5 x 16
Michelin tyres: 17/60/16
Gravel:
Rims: 5.5 x 15
Michelin tyres: 14/62/15

WEIGHT
950 kg
Front/rear distribution: 64/36 %

STRUCTURE/BODY
Reinforced body shell with roll cage
Crankcase protection

DIMENSIONS
Length: 3,660 mm
Width: 1,660mm
Wheelbase: 2,314mm
Front track: 1,460mm
Rear track: 1,434mm