In 1998, following its withdrawal from Rally raid competition, Citroën Sport began competing in rallying with the Citroën Xsara Kit Car. Equipped with a 2L engine developing 280 hp more than 8 000 rpm, this car started competing in the French Rally Championship in 1998.

Citroën Xsara Kit Car History

At the wheel, Philippe Bugalski won drivers titles in 1998 and 1999, and Sébastien Loeb won the driver title in 2001.

In addition to the French championship, Citroën also entered the Xsara Kit Car on asphalt rounds of the World Rally Championship, Bugalski finishing fifth on the cars WRC debut on Rally Catalunya in April 1998, while Jesús Puras retired with engine problems.

On Tour de Corse, Fabien Doenlen finished seventh and Patrick Magaud finished tenth. Bugalski retired with broken suspension. On Rallye Sanremo, Magaud finished 11th, Puras retired with engine problems and Bugalski crashed out.

In 1999, Bugalski and Puras were entered in Citroën Xsara Kit Cars on the three asphalt rallies again, and Bugalski won in Catalunya and Corsica, Puras finishing runner-up in Corsica.

In 2001, Citroën Xsara Kit Car was replaced with the Citroën Xsara WRC which debuted on selected rounds of the WRC.

Source: Wikipedia