Citroen DS3: The new version of ‘cool’
August 25, 2009 by Anthony Crawford
Iconic French automotive brand Citroen, have announced that its new DS3 car, will make its debut at the Frankfurt International Motor Show on September 15.
This definition of new age ‘cool’ will be the first model in the new ‘DS’ line, which will consist of three models, which will highlight the brand’s creativity in the automotive space.
It’s not the first time Citroen cars have worn the DS badge, but we grant you, it has been a while.
Seen as one of the most innovative cars of its day, the Citroen DS was introduced at the Paris Motor Show way back in 1955, and was a huge hit for the company.
Not only was the DS car a lesson in avant-gard, but the car’s magic carpet like suspension, which outshone most other marques during that era, was even licensed by Rolls Royce and employed on its famous Silver Shadow, such was the ride quality this system delivered.
The DS had self-levelling suspension with hydro-pneumatic struts and an adjustable ride-height facility, which produced a feeling inside the car, that you were riding on air.
The new DS3 appears to continue Citroen’s tradition of innovative styling both inside and out, but with a strong skew towards the environmentally friendly zone.
Take the engines, you will have the choice of two diesel HDi DPFS units producing either 82kW or 67kW respectively.
In the petrol power department, there will be three choices on offer with the DS3: the THP 150 (111kW), VTi 120 (90kW) and the VTi 95 (70kW) with all powerplants meeting Euro V emissions standards.
While power may not seem all that substantial, Citroen has deliberately kept the overall weight down to a minimum on this car without compromising structural integrity or overall safety.
Citroen is billing the DS3 as small car luxury, but also great fun to drive.
The low-seat driving position and sports style seats form a cockpit-like space, along with plenty of chrome trim, adding a touch of class to the interior. There’s also a stylish instrument cluster and small diameter sports leather steering wheel, which should be a treat.
The DS3 is one of the smallest vehicles in its class, but don’t let its overall dimensions fool you, there’s actually a good deal of space inside the car, through clever design architecture.
For example, the raised dashboard provides plenty of front legroom, while the front seats are a thin profile, which increases general space for rear seat passengers.
And there’s plenty of boot space too for a car of this size, 285-litres with the rear seats up and of course more when the 60:40 rear bench is lowered.
As you would expect from any Citroen, the DS3 delivers impressive ride quality and handling, with minimal body roll and precise steering.
And if exclusivity is your thing, then you can pretty much create your own look with the DS3 both inside and out, such is the extensive list of colour-coded options available for the car.
Apart from a range of body shades, you can offset that with the DS3’s ‘floating’ roof in black, white, blue or red.
You can also customise the wing mirrors in the same colours or better still, a chrome finish. That same level of contrast can apply to the wheels and wheel centres, should you wish to take personalisation to a whole new level.
Inside, you can be just as stylish, from the dashboard strip, which includes the instrument cluster, air vents, and multi function screens to almost any part of the trim can be colour customised. The key is particularly cool.
The good news is that Citroen’s DS3 will be available in Australia, but not until the second half of 2010, when prices and specification will be announced.
Print it: 
if that’s the definition of cool i don’t wanna be cool.
i do like the speedo needle though, and the mean mouth and the rims aren’t too bad either
In the premise of Mini Cooper and the new Alfa Mito, this can really be cool. I’d like to see if they have better rear leg room than the 2.
Exactly the kind of stylish & innovative car that Australian car makers haven’t got the brains or the balls to produce
Looks great, but does it really deserve to be called a “DS” considering that this is likely to be a relatively conventional car? The original DS was a revolution – this in comparison is Me-too-ism. So it leaves a bit of a sour taste in my mouth.
But other than that, I hope it succeeds. At least it’s not a caricature of a classic like the Mini/Beetle/500.
spew.
I think this car is absolutely fantastic. The first Citroen I could actually put in my consideration set. If it has more interior room than a Mini, I will be very interested.
It looks as if it has taken a design cue from almost every car maker. Doesn’t work, too busy, confused and clumsy looking. I don’t mind the tapered shape of the B Pillar though.
Nice looking car..will sell well.
A car like this is long overdue.
I love it, looks fantastic – gimme gimme :)
love it! front grill could be more original (looks too mits/ford) but hey its a step in the right direction…
About time cars started to look more futuristic and bold again.
I don’t mind the looks. It’s a much more conventional design than some of their last few offerings. And I think if they continue down this line of design it could work very well for them. I must say though that I do like the cluster it’s very different and stylish.
But for me, this doesn’t tempt me into buying one; especially when there are some really beautifully designed, and/or aggressive and masculine cars offered by other Marques, that the Citroen can’t compete with.
Its OK, but they can keep their ‘floating roof’. I dont think this deserves the right to be called a DS, like Ranil said the original DS was a revolution in design. This is just a quirky car.
I actually like it. nice use of those front LEDs too.
Now, compare this to what Government Motors is intending to pass off to their McDonalds loving constituents…
I like it.
Saw one in black with a black roof on another website and it looked pretty mean. A high performance version is begging to be made I would have though…perhaps 150kw?
Good on them for doing something different.
JJ
Love the design philosophy, make it safe and keep the weight down.
Why can’t more manufacturers take this approach?
I dont mind the design of the mags, but they do remind me a lot of the XR5 focus
A bit too much going on for it to be a real styling classic, but a great effort nevertheless.
This is the sort of car Citroen needs to justify the price premium over the Asians.l
wow citron really know how to make stunning designs, one of the only car that can project the rendered image into actual reality, Mazda do it to.
love this car.
Great looking, but whats with the three-quarter B-pillar? By the way Howie, that style of wheel is on a number of cars including the Lamborghini Gallardo and the Toyota Tarago! Still look cool though.
Why reborn it as a hatch?
Bcoz it looks cool thats why House car. The level of customisation almost matches that of Fiat 500 or a Mini Cooper. But really it looks ok, not beautiful by any stretch of the imagination, but ok for a Citroen of late.
i want one!
Just in case people are confused about the DS thing, there are going to be more. This isn’t the direct successor to the original DS, this is just the first in the range because it’s the smartest one to put our first.
I think it looks brilliant. I wouldn’t buy one instead of a Mini, but I definitely would park one next to my Minis and depending on how I feel when it comes out, I may well.
Viva La France!!!
When I first heard about this car I was excited. The possibility of a small car with avant-garde design and technology years ahead of its time was fantastic. When I saw this car unveiled I was very disappointed. Sure it looks alright but it has nothing in common with the DS and is simply a styling exercise.
If Citroen were serious about designing a small car in the DS spirit they would never have done this contrived crap. Its really no different to the hordes of other small cars out their and you could never have said that of the DS.
My father had eight DS’s over the years so I know lots about that car and I will tell you that the new thing is nothing like the old goddess
Shane, I shall write it again – THIS IS NOT THE DIRECT SUCCESSOR TO THE ORIGINAL DS. Why doesn’t anybody understand that? And come on, this thing has loads of visual character. You may not actually like it but it’s hardly just another small car on the road, it’s very unique.
Very nice! Now let’s just hope and pray Citroen can get the reliability factor built in so that they can sustain designs like this. Certainly far more stylish than the Mini Cooper Coupe concept.
Shane, it’s not a CX Turbo or a D… it’s what the market wants, not what the anoraks keep raving about.
I like it, and I’d consider buying one, so long as Ateco don’t think they can ask those crazy BMW/Mini prices.