French car maker Citroën has delivered style and flair to mainstream motoring with the new DS3.
On sale from 10 April, the three-door DS3 supermini is set to rival MINI and Alfa Romeo's MiTo as a well thought out, fashionable alternative to the norm. The car is deceptively big inside and can be configured in lots of ways to customise its 'look'. There are 38 roof and body colour/design combinations to choose from, while inside you can have six different dash finishes, plus loads of trim and material combinations.
Unlike the four-seat MINI hatchback, you can fit adults in the back without too much complaint. There are five seatbelts and also good headroom. The five-star NCAP-scoring DS3 has a very good boot, too, so it works well as a family car.
It is clear that DS3 is gunning for the style conscious buyer who wants a little bit more than the ordinary box on wheels. Citroën says the DS3 is anti-retro, which is, I think, a little less than subtle pop at MINI's styling. But if DS3 is truly anti-retro, then why use the DS name that was made famous in 1955?!
DS3 uses the same trick Frank Stephenson did with the first BMW MINI: making use of blackened-out roof pillars to showcase the glazed area. Otherwise, DS3 is a fairly conventionally hatchback shape, but when you get closer you soon realise that there are buckets of design detailing going on. Side-on you can see the reverse shark fin, while up front on all but the base model in Ireland you get gorgeous, vertically stacked LEDs that really mark out the new car.
Motors took the current hot 150bhp turbo version for a test in the UK. The 1.6 litre THP will be available in Ireland later in the year on special order. Expected to cost around €24,500, it is a perfect match in the funky five-seat car. THP rides very well and is firm enough to allow enthusiastic drivers enjoy the direct steering and nippy engine. Around the B roads of the Goodwood estate DS3 felt every inch an entertaining and refined hot hatch.
For now Ireland gets a petrol or diesel DS3. The 1.4 litre VTi (95bhp/petrol) in 'D-Sign' specification costs €18,950 and falls into tax band 'B'. A 90bhp diesel 1.6 litre HDi in 'D-Style' trim is greener and cheaper to tax with band 'A' CO2 emissions and it starts at €21,500. The options list with DS3 is the key, so set aside a few quid (a grand should do it) to nicely customise your car. I've driven the diesel here and it works well.
Having had an original DS I think using its name is a bit odd. DS3 is a completely different car in every sense, but I can see where Citroën is coming from. The French firm needs to pull on every emotion to get people to come to the brand and with DS3 we truly see Citroën back with the best of them. We will see more DS designated models in the coming years with the SUV Crossover DS 'High Rider', DS4 and DS5. Citroën is also busy working on its 'e-HDi' engine range and other green initiatives.
If you are a real 'Citroënian' consider getting your dealer in a headlock so you can get your hands on a 200bhp DS3 Racing is a special limited run hot version - there are only 1,000 orange and grey cars being built.
DS3 is a quality bit of kit and a car for someone who gives motoring a bit of considered thought.
Michael Sheridan
