Citroën DS3-R leaked, to Debut at Geneva Motor Show?

French automaker Citroën just launched its Mini-fighting 3-door hatchback, the DS3. Freshly leaked pictures of its racing version have us wishing we lived in Europe.

The DS3-R is rumored to use the same 1.6-liter turbocharged gasoline engine as the standard version, but the boost may be cranked up to achieve over 200 hp. The car is lowered some 15 mm and wears an improved set of brakes. The 0-62 sprint should take no longer than 6.8 seconds.

Currently running in a C4, Citroën world rally team is poised move to the smaller DS3 for the 2011 season. Driver Sébastien Loeb has secured the WRC championship for Citroën every year since 2004. The French manufacturer will likely launch this car alongside the debut of its 2011 DS3 WRC contender around this time next year.

Assembled in Poissey, France, the DS3 is the first car in Citroën’s luxury Different Spirit line. The DS3 carries over no cues from the famed Citroën DS, which was produced from 1955-1975. Direct competitors of the DS3 include the Alfa MiTO and the Mini.

Source: Autocar