DS3 - Citroën's charm offensive

A few months ahead of its showroom debut, the DS3 is to inaugurate Citroën's DS range in style. The new range will feature a range of distinctive models with more radical design content, rounding out the marque's main range.

The DS3 is an assertive vehicle with radical looks that customers can personalise with a broad range of styling components. It features original creations including a 'floating' roof, a 'shark fin' that lends vigour to the waistline, and recesses on the nose housing LED lights.

The instrumentation - with three conical dials on the cluster - driver-focused commands, low-set driving position and body-hugging seats lend a cockpit feel. Chrome trim further enhances the overall sense of vitality with luxury and distinction.

In reality, the DS3 is a multitude of vehicles, that each person can create in his or her fashion. Exterior personalisation components include the roof, body, rearview mirror housings and wheels. Inside, customers get a choice of dashboard strip, gearstick knob and a host of other interior equipment with a panoply of colours, fabrics and materials. And for the ultimate in bespoke motoring, customers can select from seven innovative personalisation themes reflecting different trends and lifestyles.

The newcomer's CO2 emissions are fully in line with Citroën's environmental leadership, coming in as low as 99 g/km. It will ship with a choice of five carbon-efficient Euro V engines: two HDi DPFS units developing 110 bhp and 90 bhp and three petrol engines with the THP 150, VTi 120 and VTi 95.

Another innovative aspect of the DS3 is that its sleek body styling disguises an impressively versatile hatchback. It gets the most out of its exterior dimensions (3.95 metres long, 1.71 metres wide and 1.46 metres high) through particularly intelligent architecture. For example, the dashboard is set high up to increase leg room and the slim-back seats and estate car-style rear design free up room in the back. These design feats bring customers five real seats, extensive stowage space (including a 13-litre glove box) and a capacious boot (285 litres) with a modular, 60:40 split-fold rear bench. The DS3 also appeals to the senses with the hifi system, worthy of latest-generation home systems.

Local agents Muscats Motors will bring the DS3 to Malta next April.