Updated: For Citroen's promo video, click here: http://www.youtube.com/citroenactive#p/u/0/6sEAe2BAzqM

This is Citroen's next World Rally Car, kind of. With the C4 nearing the end of its competition life, Sebastien Loeb will tale control of a new DS3 sometime this season, for its 2011 WRC attack, using the new 1.6-litre turbo engine.

Until the WRC announcement, this is the hottest DS3, the Racing.

Citroen will take the wraps of the hot version of its new premium model, the DS3, due in Australia in August, when it reveals the 147kW Citroen DS3 Racing at the Geneva International Motor Show in March (2 March 2010).

Citroen is holding back the DS3 Racing’s performance figures for the Geneva Motor Show reveal, but with 147kW and 275Nm from its 1.6 litre turbocharged engine developed by the same engineers who produced the world beating Citroen C4 WRC, the DS3 Racing will offer exemplary performance.

The chassis of the DS3 has been thoroughly reworked, with the suspension lowered, the track widened, 18 inch alloy wheels fitted, the springs stiffened and the shock absorbers re-rated. Additionally the brakes have been enlarged the ESP system has been reprogrammed.

The Citroen DS3 has set a new standard for style and exclusivity and this is further enhanced with the DS3 Racing with a special livery.

The DS3 Racing will be launched in Europe with a limited series of 1,000 units in second-half 2010. Australian availability will be announced when the DS3 is launched in Australia in August. 

It boasts carbon finish on the semi-rigid front bumper, lower body trim and wing extensions, which emphasise the large 18-inch wheels with their original, high-tech racer design. The side mouldings on the doors are also finished in carbon.

It sports a carbon-trimmed spoiler to maintain stability at high speeds and a chrome-finished exhaust pipe that elegantly punctuates the car’s attractive lines.

All of this rally-based equipment strengthens the definitively sporty and athletic character of the DS Racing, which signals its exclusive character with a special signature on the tailgate.

The DS3 racing is all about performance. Developed by Citroën Racing, its engine benefits from all the technical and engineering expertise of the Citroen WRC Team.

Citroën engineers took the 1.6 THP 150 unit and boosted power to 147kW for top-flight results. Torque has also been increased, by nearly 15% from 240Nm to 275 Nm, and remains available over a wide operating range ensuring flexibility and driving pleasure.