Citroën calls this a concept, but it's more of a show car in the grand tradition, showcasing what its competition department can do with a DS3 Cabrio when its collective imagination is allowed free rein.
The stunning DS3 Cabrio Racing concept will premiere at this weekend's Goodwood Festival of Speed, ahead of a more formal debut at the Frankfurt motor show in September.
Citroën's involvement in the World Rally Championship was a key reference for this one-off, a combination of elements from the DS3 Racing hatchback and the new Cabrio ragtop.
The Cabrio weighs only 25kg more than the hatchback and, with a 150kW, 1.6-litre THP DS3 Racing engine, special 'works' running gear and brakes, this is no static display unit.
CARBON-FIBRE AERO KIT
It's finished in special matt textured grey paintwork with a carbon-fibre aero kit, black chrome inserts on the door handles, boot trim and side mirrors, and 19" gloss black alloys.
The black fabric roof, in carbon fibre-look gloss weave fabric, features the distinctive DS pattern, which is also engraved on the side-mirror housings, while the brake callipers, wheel hubs, special wide side strips on the doors and graphics are finished in bright red.
The bucket seats are trimmed in a watchstrap design, using a mix of full-grain nappa leather, leather embossed with the DS logo and alcantara, complemented by red contrast stitching on the seats, dashboard trim and gearstick gaiter, with more red on the seat housings and dashboard.
The finishing touches are a child seat in the same three-way watchstrap leather upholstery and a pair of colour-matched custom rally helmets.