Loeb was in fine form on the Mediterranean island's asphalt

The French world champion led the event from start to finish and crossed the line 29 seconds ahead of Ford driver Marcus Gronholm of Finland in second.

Rising Spanish star Dani Sordo put in another solid performance in his first WRC season for third place.

Loeb's triumph extends his lead in this year's World Rally Championship to 11 points after wins in Spain and Mexico.

Finland's Mikko Hirvonen, in his Ford, finished fourth 10.5 seconds behind Sordo while Frenchman Alex Bengue, driving a BSA-Peugeot, took fifth place.

I got into a good rhythm, my car handled the tight turns really well and the gap began to open up naturally Sebastien Loeb

Petter Solberg's hopes of cutting Loeb's lead in the championship standings ended on Friday when the Norwegian's Subaru went off the track during the first stage.

Loeb said: "I did not win all the stages like last year and it was not easy. I really had to fight to beat Marcus.

"I'm happy to have taken so many points in these Tarmac rallies which are most suited to the Xsara. Remember Marcus is very strong on dirt.

"I got into a good rhythm, my car handled the tight turns really well and the gap began to open up naturally.

"He (Gronholm) was less comfortable from then on and he must have said to himself it was better to take eight points than lose 10. You can understand that."

Gronholm was disappointed not to win but happy enough with another good showing on a surface not as suitable to his car as dirt.

"I couldn't do much more," said Gronholm. "I knew on Friday when Sebastien had already gone 19 seconds clear that I'd find it hard to pull him back."

Rally of Corsica final standings:
1. Sebastien Loeb (Fra) Citroen 3:43:05.400
2. Marcus Groenholm (Fin) Ford +00:29.000
3. Daniel Sordo (Spa) Citroen 01:48.700
4. Mikko Hirvonen (Fin) Ford 01:59.200
5. Alex Bengue (Fra) Peugeot 02:47.700
6. Xavier Pons (Spa) Citroen 03:10.200
7. Manfred Stohl (Aut) Peugeot 05:01.300
8. Stephane Sarrazin (Fra) Subaru 05:21.900
9. Gianluigi Galli (Ita) Peugeot 05:42.500
10. Jan Kopecky (Cze) Skoda 06:11.400