Citroen announce 2007 WRC plans

"We will be making our official return to the WRC in just a few months' time now with the Citroen C4 which has been built and developed to permit the brand to re-conquer the manufacturers' and drivers' world championship titles," Automobiles Citroen managing director Claude Satinet announced at the Paris Motor Show.

The team has already begun testing the C4 model that will supercede the ultra-successful Xsara WRC. Citroen has used the Xsara since rejoining rallying's top flight in 2001, earning three manufacturers' titles and two drivers' crowns.

"The Xsara years are about to end and I am counting on everyone at Citroen Sport to make the Citroen C4 era just as glorious," said team boss Guy Frequelin.

Both Citroen and sister brand Peugeot withdrew their works WRC teams at the end of 2005, but in Citroen's case the absence was always expected to be temporary.

In the interim, the Kronos Racing team continued to run ostensibly privately-entered Xsaras for Loeb, Sordo and Xavier Pons. The team currently leads the WRC standings, with Loeb closing in on a third consecutive drivers' title.

Confirmation of Sordo's role was also widely expected after his star performances for Kronos this year.

The reigning Junior WRC champion was initially signed for a limited programme in a third Citroen WRC, but has scored four podium finishes and holds third in the championship. Sordo was recently promoted to the second points-scoring Xsara, replacing Pons.