DS3 is now a fully-fledged family member
THE CAR which got the whole DS ball rolling is now a fullyfledged member of Citroen’s upmarket offshoot DS family.
Back in 2010 the Citroen DS3 was a trailblazer for what some might have thought was an experiment at the time – creating a premium brand within a brand.
But even Citroen must have been surprised at the success of the DS3, which turned out to be nothing short of a sensation doing much to invigorate and redefine the marque.
As the DS brand has evolved in its own right the cars have come to be badged as DS rather than Citroen cars, with the DS4 and DS5 already given the ‘DS’ treatment.
As of the start of this year the DS3 fully joined the fray. The change is most evident by the absence of the familiar Citroen chevrons, so instead the grille displays distinctive DS lettering.
The revamped DS3 has a whole new nose in fact that helps keep it looking fresh and contemporary. It also gets a new interior and personalisation options have also been further enhanced.
The engine line-up has also been expanded, meaning there really is something for everyone, with models more suited to serving as a stylish runabout to an all-out 210bhp performance-focused hatch.
A new engine available is a 130bhp three-cylinder 1.2litre turbo. The range starts off with the modestly priced PureTech 82 model at £13,995. It features a three-cylinder non-turbo petrol unit and there’s another three-cylinder that sits between the two power-wise. Differing versions of a 1.6-litre diesel are also available, along with a 1.6-litre petrol unit.
Wisely the basic lines of the DS3 have been little altered - why mess with a winning formula? - but perhaps the biggest changes come in terms of instrumentation and technology. The cockpit is now characterised by fewer controls and there’s a seven-inch touchscreen which operates pretty much everything. And keeping pace with the unstoppable march of technology there are new connectivity systems compatible with Apple and Android link-ups.
The DS3 comes in two body styles, Hatchback and Cabrio. The Cabrio maximises the fun factor and represents a perfect halfway house between a conventional hardtop and a convertible.
The powered fabric roof rolls back and you can essentially let as much sun in as you wish. Slide it back slightly and it serves as an enlarged sunroof. Fully retracted it has more of the feel of a full-on convertible, though you are still somewhat cosseted. Be warned though, that folding roof comes at a price - and not just the £2,300 premium it elicits over a hatchback. Its postbox style opening poses more than a few challenges when it comes to loading and unloading.
The DS3 is also a decent driver’s car - one of the best Citroen have delivered in some time. It might not be able to quite match one of its main competitors, the MINI, but it doesn’t disappoint and it trumps the MINI in terms of interior space.
Fun, spirited and engaging, with responsive and wellweighted steering and handling that matches its sporty styling.
The 1.6-litre 210bhp Performance model is out on its own but this 1.6-litre 163bhp unit also impresses. It’s a smooth and sweet engine and it doesn’t fare too badly in terms of economy either.
All in all the new DS 3 represents a decent step forward in the ongoing evolution of the DS brand.