Citroen launches New DS3

French brand Citroen squares-off against BMW-owned MINI with the launch of its DS3 small car. Citroen calls it a ‘small prestige luxury car’ and the DS3 kicks-off its new DS range with the DS4 and DS5 models scheduled for launch in the next two years.

Ironically, the DS3 is powered by two 1.6-litre petrol engines co-developed by Citroen and BMW. The entry-level ‘DStyle’ model ($32,990) is powered by a naturally-aspirated version delivering 88kW/160Nm and driving through a four-speed automatic transmission, while the up-scale ‘DSport’ model ($35,990) gets a turbocharged derivative good for 115kW/240Nm and driving through a six-speed manual.

Typical for Citroen, the DS3 exudes styling that’s…well, different. The side is accentuated by the flip-up B-pillar (Citroen calls it a ‘shark fin’) and there are signature LED light strips down either side of the front bumper.

“DS3 is about modernity, creativity, individual style and a driving experience packed with personality,” explained Miles Williams, General Manager for Citroen in Australia. But don’t be fooled by the cute looks – DS3 is packed with the latest technology and scored the maximum five-star safety rating from Euro NCAP.

Citroen DS3 buyers can enhance the individuality of their vehicle with a wide variety of optional colour schemes, trims and equipment – even the ignition key and wheel center caps can be colour-coded to match the paintwork.

Inside is space for five, a 60:40 split-fold rear seat and 285 litres (rear seat in place) or 980 litres (seat folded) of luggage capacity. Despite its compact overall length of 3.95 metres, Citroen says the DS3’s elbow room (1.42 metres front/1.41 metres rear) is the best in the segment. 

The Citroen DS3 runs MacPherson strut front/torsion beam rear - the usual European small car suspension set-up. DS3 DStyle sits on 16-inch alloy wheels while the Dsport model gains 17-inch alloys.

As well as the MINI, Citroen says the DS3 is a competitor for the Fiat 500 and Alfa Romeo MITO.