YOU can always bet on Citroen to produce something different and it latest DS3 range certainly follows that trend.
To look at, the DS3 is a compact hatchback with design angles and curves in places were they should not be.
This car builder takes delight in manufacturing models with a difference, models with a refreshing approach to automotive engineering and that is the allure of all things Citroen.
Yet beneath the exterior looks, there always lurks a plethora of excellence in both engineering and electronics.
When I approached the DS3 1.6i THP 150 recently, I was overwhelmed by the Citroen spokesman's description. According to his official speak 'this was the car that had it all'.
I was not swayed by the rhetoric, whilst impressed by its exterior looks, I was not too keen on the overall colour scheme.
The trendy interior however was more impressive. Boasting wide leather seating and with the use of quality materials throughout adding to the ambience of the cabin it was surprisingly roomy.
The width would not cramp two second row forwards in the front, the roof was a fair distance from my head and I suspect three adults would fit in the rear seats quite easily.
On the road the Sport Red/Opel White hatchback, with its unusual wrap round rear windows behaved well in town traffic.
On the nearby motorway it immediately found its place in life. Able to reach 62mph in 7.3 seconds, and with a redline speed of 133mph, this compact flier enjoyed mixing and it with lots of 'grown up' cars.
Its sports credentials came into play via, beautifully weighted steering system, good brakes, a firm suspension and a hearty growl when the accelerator was applied.
I later tried a 110hp diesel model complete with Zebra graphics.
Ignoring the graphics I was equally delighted by this model's on road performance. With a top speed of 118mph it attained 62mph in 9.8 seconds and whilst it was less sporty than the 150hp it was still nice to handle.
There are nine variation in the line-up, with pricing kicking in at £11,700 for the 1.4 engined model, rising to £15,900 for both the 150hp petrol and the 110 diesel.
So which would I prefer?
Well the petrol has the edge on the diesel for top speed and on acceleration. Its CO2 emission rating is 155g/km and its insurance group is 22E. Finally its combined cycle fuel return of 42.2mpg and its extra urban figure is 55.4mpg is respectable for a such sporty model.
The diesel on the other hand is not as nippy, but it boasts a combined fuel return of 62.8mpg and an extra urban figure of 72.4mpg. It has CO2 emission rating of 118g/km. Its insurance group is 18E.
All of which give it a slight edge in my book, and I feel this one will be the best seller.
All models in the range have boots that can carry 285 litres with four passengers on board. They also offer a multitude of bright colour schemes that are designed to suite a wide variety of tastes.
Whilst I prefer more sedate colour schemes I applaud Citroen for being daring and for once again producing a range of cars that whilst being engineered to a high degree, are also delightfully different and therefore bring to the industry a fresh approach to the world of the family car.
FAST FACTS
Citroen DS3 1.6 HDi 110hp
Price: £16,600
Mechanical: 110bhp, 1,560cc, 4cyl diesel engine driving front wheels via 6-speed manual gearbox
Max speed: mph
0-62mph: seconds
Combined mpg: 62.8
Insurance group: 18
CO2 emissions: 109g/km
BIK rating: 15%
Warranty: 3yrs/ 60,000 miles