THE world of the small car continues to go from strength to strength as manufacturers vie for position adding further style and individuality.
Citroen has always boasted a reputation for introducing quirky little cars into the UK and its latest venture into the mass market is the DS3, a three-door hatchback based on the C3 hatch, a much favoured family run about.
Reintroducing the Gallic car maker’s legendary and supremely stylish “whale” design DS model which arrived in the mid-1950s, with DS4 and DS5 options set to become available in 2011, the DS3 comes with plenty of power choices, including 1.4, 1.6 and 150bhp 1.6-litre THP petrol engines while diesel urge is courtesy of Citroen’s 1.6 HDI which boasts either 90bhp or 110bhp of pulling power.
Available in three progressively more generous trim levels, DSign, DStyle and DSport, the DS3 has been created to compete in the premium small hatchback class which includes the likes of the BMW MINI, Fiat 500 and Alfa Romeo MiTo.
This is a bold, definitive statement of intent from Citroen that dares to be different, bringing some fine individual styling while delivering the legendary comfort, quality and ecologically considerate Citroen performance alongside a driving experience packed with personality plus.
Passer by reaction during the urban trawl showed that onlookers approved of its looks, the chunky styling and “floating” roof emphasise the DS3’s low slung waistline which gives more than a hint of some enjoyable agility to come for prospective buyers.
Based on Citroen’s C3 hatchback, the DS3 takes a pretty dynamic stance. The car is mounted on sculpted alloys and, while a pair of sparkling vertical LED running light strips at the front assert the model’s sporty styling they also emphasise the hatchback’s quite broad and low stance.
The inside story of the DS3 is good, the French car maker having gone out of its way to delight the occupants while delivering a well put together interior where overall visibility is excellent within a quite airy and light cabin which boasts a definite upmarket feel.
This premium style touch included the leather trim option while the quirky instrumentation looked well when set within the glossy lacquered finish of a neatly laid out, very user friendly dashboard.
But, while the pretty large glovebox proved useful for holding personal items while on the run, bootspace of only 275 litres does limit the stowage area.
Powered by the 1.6-litre petrol engine paired with a six-slot manual gearbox the test car proved an enjoyable roadway companion.
The Sport version driven here proved pretty hot property whisking you from 0-62mph in just over seven seconds and, with a top speed of 134mph available, over 40mpg is on tap.
The DS3 proved a relaxing drive with little engine and road noise to disturb occupant quiet on the cruise. A sharp handler, it also acquitted itself well when linking together a series of twists, delivering some pretty roll-free cornering to add to its credits.
Overall, this latest Citroen performer is very much of the moment with plenty of colour, fabric and leather options, wheels and chrome fitting acoutrements available to help personalise your transport of delight thus increasing further its head turning abilities.
FAST FACTS
Citroen DS3 150 Sport
Price: £15,900
Mechanical: 150bhp, 1,598cc, 4cyl petrol engine driving front wheels via 6-speed manual gearbox
Max speed: 134mph
0-62mph: 7.3 seconds
Combined mpg: 42.2
Insurance group: 22
CO2 emissions: 155g/km
BiK rating: 20%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles
Words: Malcolm Robertshaw