We drive the insane Citroen C4 WRC replica

Driving through the Slough Trading Estate made famous by comedy classic The Office, I felt more like David Bowie as David Brent with passers-by gasp in awe

In awe of the Frenchman’s fifth victory in the Monte Carlo Rally, Adrian Hearn got behind the wheel of the bonkers Citroen C4 WRC replica.

“You’ve got to warn me before you do that!” says Auto Trader’s Stuart Milne as I slam on the 360mm brakes.

As my boss’s organs slowly return to their natural place I take stock of my surroundings. I’m behind the wheel of the Citroen C4 WRC replica – a crazy homage to Sebastien Loeb’s world rally winning car based on the Citroen C4 VTS.

The 32-year-old Frenchman has won the last four world championships with Citroen notching up 37 rally victories in the past six years.

Loeb was behind the wheel of a Citroen Xsara from his championship-winning years of 2004, 2005 and 2006. Last year he was behind the wheel of the Citroen C4 WRC, winning nine races and pipping Marcus Gronhelm to the title by four points.

To celebrate Loeb’s success, Citroen restyled the C4 VTS to give enthusiasts a taste of the real deal.

The 2-litre engine is untouched so it produces a healthy 180bhp and 149lb/ft of pulling power – down from the official rally car’s turboocharged 320bhp but it still has punchy performance. It accelerates from 0-60mph in eight seconds and has a top speed of 141mph.

But it’s not the speed which makes the Citroen C4 WRC replica a mean machine – it’s the extras. From the sponsored livery (it’s more commercial than a Jerry Bruckheimer movie) and roof air vent to the 18-inch white alloy wheels, the car really looks the part.

The exhaust roar is phenomenal. Driving through the Slough Trading Estate made famous by comedy classic The Office, I felt more like David Bowie as David Brent with passers-by gasp in awe and cover their eardrums from the loony-looking hot hatch’s Cituning exhaust system.

While the performance remains the same, the Citroen C4 WRC replica will lap a race track far quicker thanks to the up-rated 360mm Tar-ox brakes and adjustable Eibach suspension.

Inside you get a CD player, electric windows, air-conditioning and leather bucket-style seats.

And the price of the Citroen C4 WRC replica? All the modifications and labour will about £25,000 - hiking the price up to about £42,000. But if you want to be stared at, it’s money well spent.