Citroen reveals DS4 Racing  07 | 03 | 2012

THIS IS THE car which Citroen will use to expand further its hot Racing performance brand. The Citroen DS4 Racing concept, unveiled at Geneva, will be powered by a 256bhp 1.6 turbo (see more official photos of the DS4 Racing). That makes it Citroen's most powerful-ever road engine.

Strongly tipped to enter production, the car — which is still badged 'concept' — is being lined up to go head-to-head with the Ford Focus ST and Renaultsport Megane.

And it's definitely going to be quick. At 256bhp, the Citroen powerplant is close to a whopping 50bhp more than the Mini Countryman JCW. It's also 60bhp more than the DS3 Racing.

Citroen DS5 to start at £22,400

Citroen has yet to confirm performance figures for the DS4 Racing, but it's fait to expect them to duck below the 6s barrier for the 0-62mph sprint. Max is likely to be electronically restricted to 155mph.

But despite all that, Citroen is claiming an impressive 155g/km of CO2.

The car definitely looks the business, sitting 35mm lower than the standard DS4, and with both the front and rear tracks extensively widened. It also sits on 19in alloys.

Citroen unveils new DS3 flagship

Keep up-to-date with all the latest news by following us on twitter.com/scotcars

Jim McGill