Citroen Sport: 60 years of Passion & Victories

Helice Galerie, 3 rue des Vosges, 54122 Flin, France

Until February 28, 2026

As we all know, the Citroën Conservatory has had to close its doors to the public, but the collection is stored under cover, and a few cars are coming out for themed exhibitions. So, for this retrospective, “Citroën Sport: 60 years of Passion & Victory”, some twenty cars from the “Citroën Aventure” collections will be on display, along with a few models from private collections.

The exhibition is presented at Helice Galerie, located in Flin (East of France, in the heart of the Nancy/Strasbourg/Colmar triangle). In a large 1100 m² space, visitors will discover this history organized around 5 major themes, with the first Rally victories, Rallycross, Rally-Raid, circuit victories and finally the golden period in the World Rally Championship from the 1990s onwards.

From the late 1950s onwards, the DS attracted many pilots with its roadholding, which worked wonders in the snow events and major road marathons common at the time. For example, the DS won the Monte Carlo Rally (1959), Liege-Sofia-Liege (1961), 1000 Lakes Rally (1962) and Lyon-Charbonnieres (1963).

But it wasn’t until 1965, 60 years ago, that Citroën officially entered rallying with the creation of Citroën Compétitions, which later became Citroën Sport (1989) and then Citroën Racing (2009). Citroën Compétitions took a particular interest in the tough rallies run in Africa, such as the Rallye du Maroc, the Bandama (Ivory Coast) and the Safari (Kenya), and began to prepare genuine prototypes capable of withstanding the tracks and the competition.

In 1972, the DS 21 Coupe was shortened by 60 cm, the rear was significantly modified, and its engine was increased to 2.5L, developing 190 horsepower. Another DS 21, modified into a coupe as well but retaining the general look of the DS, was equipped with the SM’s Maserati V6 engine, increased to 250 horsepower. In 1973, the SM also underwent a spectacular rear cut to tackle the Bandama and TAP Rally (Portugal), also run on rough tracks.

In the 1970s, the CX took over from the DS on African tracks, notably in the Senegal Rally (2nd in 1977, winner in 1978 and 1979). The evolution of rallies and increased ambitions led to a major change in the early 1980s with the Visa. The popular small urban car was transformed into a Group B rally car, notably with the adoption of four-wheel drive, becoming the first French rally car to be equipped with this solution. Then came the spectacular BX 4TC Group B (Turbo and 4×4), which was launched in the World Rally Championship in 1986. Unfortunately, the car lacked performance and reliability compared to other Group B cars, and following several accidents, the Group B category was discontinued, marking the end of an era and a sleeping mode for the Competition department.

In the 1970s, Citroen organized 2CV rallies, followed by rallycross events, which eventually led to a full-fledged national championship. The 2CV Cross cars were significantly modified and lightened but retained their original mechanics. Launched in 1974, this formula is still going strong today, offering unbeatable value for money. Although the BX 4TC was not particularly successful in rallying, it gave rise to a car adapted to rallycross racing, a spectacular discipline where the circuit combines asphalt and dirt tracks. At the wheel of his BX Turbo 4×4, Jean-Luc Pailler dominated the French championship in the early 1990s. The exhibition also features a 2000 Saxo Challenge Rallycross.

In the early 1990s, Citroën Sport entered the Rally Raid category, whose flagship event is the Paris-Dakar. With its ZX Rally Raid and its various evolutions, the brand enjoyed major success between 1990 and 1997. Citroen won the Paris-Dakar four times, five Manufacturers’ Championships, five Drivers’ Championships and more than thirty other rally raids, including the Paris-Moscow-Beijing in 1992.

Wide, tall and with big wheels, the ZX Rallye Raid bears only a vague resemblance to the modest little popular sedan. The ZX Rally Raid models are on display, including those that won the Dakar Rally in 1991, 1994, and 1995, and the winner of the 1992Paris-Moscow-Beijing Rally. By comparing the different versions, from the first generation in 1991 to the latest EVO 5 in 1996, visitors can see how the car has changed over time.

While Citroën is best known to the general public for its victories in rallies and rally raids, the brand has also won on the racetrack. Formula Blue was created in 1969 as an introduction to motor racing with the small MEP (named after its designer, Maurice Emile Pezoux). Initially equipped with a Panhard 24CT engine (after testing a 2CV engine that lacked power), it evolved in 1971 into the MEP X27 version equipped with the GS engine, like the one on display here. This small, ultra-light single-seater delighted apprentice drivers until 1975, and can still be seen in a few historic races.

At the end of the 1980s, an AX was prepared to race in the then very popular French “Super-Production” category. However, it was between 2014 and 2016 that Citroën enjoyed its most successful period on the track, winning three consecutive Driver (with Jose-Maria Lopez) and Manufacturer titles in the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC), with a total of 47 victories. The model chosen for this championship was the C-Elysee, a sedan derived from the ZX and manufactured in China. The car on display is a “show car” (a presentation model identical in appearance to the race car) of the 2016 model.

In 1998, Citroen began what was probably its most glorious period in motorsport by returning to rallying. The brand began with a learning period, developing the Xsara “Kit-Car.” This two-wheel drive category did not allow it to compete on all terrains, but it excelled on asphalt and won the first races, allowing the team to get up to speed. In 2001, Citroën took the plunge into the WRC, still with a Xsara, but this time with four-wheel drive and only participating in some of the events. This also marked the debut of Sebastien Loeb, and the Citroen/Sebastien Loeb partnership would go on to build the most impressive rally record with eight manufacturers’ titles and nine drivers’ titles.

Between 1998 and 2019, Citroën won a record 102 victories in the WRC world championship, including 79 for the duo of Sebastien Loeb and Daniel Elena alone. The Xsara and Saxo Kit Car, the Xsara WRC (2001-2006), the C4 WRC (2007-2010), the DS3 WRC (2011-2016) and the C3 WRC illustrate this string of victories and titles. While the Xsara WRC which won the 2003 Monte Carlo Rally and the C4 WRC (2010) are genuine racing model, the DS 3 (2016) and C3 (2019) are “show cars”. In addition to its involvement in the WRC, Citroën also offered models for the lower category, such as the C2 Super 1600 (2005). Although the brand is no longer involved at the highest level of the WRC, it continues to develop rally cars for the Rally 2 category, such as the C3 2024, which is on display as a show car.

Beyond the cars and victories, the exhibition will also highlight the women and men who participated in this great epic. These include competition managers such as Marlene Cotton in the 1970s and Guy Frequelin from 1989 to 2007, as well as drivers such as Sebastien Loeb, of course, but also Ari Vatanen, Pierre Lartigue, and Philippe Bugalski. Spectacular archive images will accompany the vehicles, immersing visitors in the thrilling world of racing. A shop on site will allow visitors to take home souvenirs of the exhibition.