Citroen and Ford have recently been developing their new range of WRC rally cars. To conform within new regulations, both companies have adopted the ‘good things come in small packages’ philosophy and have downsized their cars as well as the regulatory engines.

Ford previously ran the larger Ford Focus-based car in the World Rally Championship, and Citroen ran the larger Citroen C3 in the championship. Lightness has always been high on the priorities list in the racing world, could it be that production cars – on which the race cars are based upon – are becoming too big and heavy for racing?

Even Mini has been caught in the act, testing a car for rally racing. And the company has said it’s not going to enter into the smaller Super 1600-type front-wheel drive series either, it’s aiming for WRC with a pint-sized pocket rocket as well.

All three cars adhere to the new 2011 rules which permit a 1.6-litre turbocharged engine. The Ford features a 1.6-litre EcoBoost unit whilst the Citroen also uses a 1.6-litre direct injection turbocharged four cylinder. Both cars are said to output right on the 300hp (224kW) regulation.

Check out the new Ford Focus RS and the awesome little Citroen DS3 WRC versions being tested below.

Isn’t it great that even in racing, cars are using less petrol whilst outputting similar or greater power figures than past generations.