France’s Citroën traveled across the English Channel to this year’s edition of the Goodwood Festival of Speed in order to display its latest concept. Dubbed DS3 Cabrio Racing, the car is essentially a topless version of the popular DS3 Racing hot hatch.
The canvas-top version of the hot hatch could see production next month with a limited run of 400 units, according to Auto Express.
The DS3 Cabrio Racing is powered by a 1.6-liter four-cylinder gasoline-burning engine developed jointly by parent company PSA and BMW. Also found under the hood of the MINI Cooper and the Peugeot RCZ R, the four-banger sends 202 horsepower to the front wheels via a six-speed manual transmission.
Upgraded disc brakes on all four corners keep the extra ponies in check, and a stiffer suspension improves handling on and off the track.
Outside, Citroën’s latest concept wears a flat black paint job with contrasting red stripes and black chrome trim on the door mirrors and the door handles. The convertible is fitted with a carbon fiber body kit that consists of a front splitter, side skirts and an air diffuser integrated into the rear bumper, and 19-inch two-tone alloy wheels finish off the look.
Instead of being a full convertible, the Cabrio’s door pillars and rear side windows stay in place and only the roof panel retracts. Citroën says that the soft top adds merely 55 pounds to the DS3′s weight and that it can be electronically opened or closed at speeds of up to 75 mph. Alternatively, it can be set to three pre-programmed positions that range from a sunroof-sized opening to the full top stowed away above the trunk lid.
With room for up to five passengers, the interior is upholstered in an attractive combination of leather and Alcantara that creates a premium ambiance. A color touch screen mounted in the middle of the center stack enables the passenger to control the car’s navigation, entertainment and climate control systems.
Pricing information will be published closer to the car’s on-sale date.
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