About time: Citroen's DS3 Racing

The unwritten rule of rallying is that you can't go out and win a championship without offering the public a rally special.

And no, the pathetic Peugeot 207 S16 built to a limited run of 250, commemorating the carmaker's IRC domination, doesn't count. It does the 0-100kph dash in a painful 10.7 seconds; but hey, at least it has rally graphics, right? Right? Anybody? No.

Everyone else has always done the right thing: when Subaru and Mitsubishi still had all their factory might behind them in the championship, we had the 22B and Tommi Mäkinen editions, Ford's always either had a hot Focus or Cossie Escort, and going back before that who can forget the Lancia Delta Integrale, or the Audi Quattro?

But now that Citroën is one of the most successful rally teams, with five manufacturers' titles and its star Sébastien Loeb holding six titles, what exactly have they given us to reflect this success on the public roads? A 1.2-litre turbodiesel? No thanks.

Now, though, it seems that somebody in the Peugeot Citroën group has answered the call of their many fans with the new DS3 Racing.

Freshly unleashed at the Geneva Motor Show, the limited edition DS3 Racing is actually developed by Citroën Racing, so it's not just stripes and badges you'll be getting. Production of the 1,000 cars will commence in the second half of the year and the spec sheet is pretty impressive. Impressive enough to put a whimper into the exhaust burble of Citroën's French rivals Renaultsport. Dare we say that the stats suggest a Golf GTI-baiting machine too.

Starting with the mildly interesting bits, warming up for the oily details; the DS3 Racing boasts integrated carbon-trimmed components, chequered flag graphics on the roof, in front of the rear wheel arches, under the side mirrors and next to the fuel cap. At 3,940mm long, the car is shorter than its hot hatch competitors, which should ensure lively handling from the stumpy wheelbase.

The large 18in alloys are a loud orange chrome, as well as the front grille surround, but judging from the rest of the DS3 range, these finishes will be widely customisable.

The rest of the body accents of this hatch get the carbon treatment and whatever pieces are left out, end up going for a dip in the chroming vat. Inside, there is yet more carbon trim adorning the dash, centre console and steering wheel. Body-accented decals, dash strip and gear lever bring some colour into the cabin, while the figure-hugging seats allow for deep side support and are finished off with a Citroën Racing logo. A numbered identification plate on the roof reminds you of the exclusivity of the motor.

Now consider the carbon-finished air diffuser and chassis optimised by the motorsport guys for precision and control.

Based on the existing 1.6-litre THP 150, the Citroën DS3 Racing editions will be finished in a special workshop and fitted with a parts kit developed according to Citroën Racing specifications. The engine receives a 30 per cent power boost and 15 per cent torque increase to 200bhp and 275Nm, respectively. Citroën Racing's engineers had to modify the powertrain components, tune the performance of the turbo and adjust the mapping of the engine control unit as well as add a special tail pipe and muffler to unleash the extra horses.

Completing the rally theme are stiffer suspension springs, more precise steering, adapted front and rear shock absorbers, a 30mm wider track and 15mm lower ride height.

All you need to do is get yourself to the Col de Turini and bag a ride in a DS3 Racing. Once you see the cliffs, rock falls and sheer drops, you'll be thanking the four-piston racing callipers, new disc brakes and adapted ESP. Switch off at your own peril.