2013 Citroen DS3 Reviews

Citroen runs two different ranges in its ‘3’ sized small cars. One consisting of practical vehicles, the other, the DS3 range, provided the stylish flair for which the French are famed.

Keen to enhance its image as a marque that produces passionate cars, Citroen has added a cabriolet to its DS3 range – which is exactly what we need as spring gets closer by the day.VALUEPriced from $30,990 (plus on roads) for the D-Style 1.6-litre petrol three-door cabriolet and $2000 more for the 1.6-litre turbocharged version – both of which are automatic transmissions – the little droptop is more expensive than its only real competitor, the Fiat 500 cabriolet, which starts in the low twenties.However, the DS3 is larger, with more interior space and a good sized boot. John Startari, the new chief of Citroen in Australia sees the Mini convertible as another competitor. However, the British open-top car is closer to $40,000 and doesn’t offer the same versatility of roof operation as the French and Italian cabriolets. All of which means the Citroen is operating in a wide niche when it comes to pricing.DESIGNUnlike the Fiat and Mini, the Citroen doesn’t use retro styling as a major selling feature. Indeed, the company says its ‘anti-retro’ and wants it cars to be futuristic.The biggest styling feature of the Citroen DS3 is the kick-up in the bodywork at the B-pillar. Now the addition of a folding roof, combined with a big range of accessories let owners of the cabriolet challenge convention in their car’s appearance.A real advantage of a cabriolet – as opposed to a convertible – is the lack of windrush in the interior because the sides of the car remain as in the standard body. Should the weather turn nasty the roof can be closed while the DS3 Cabrio is travelling at any speed below 120 km/h.To enable buyers to let their imaginations soar, Citroen has established a special ‘D-Zone’ in showrooms where owners can ‘commission’ their new babies. This has a relaxed lounge-room like setting where a big range of options and accessories is displayed or viewable on screens.As personalised items are added on the computer the buyer is given an estimated delivery date for the car. Should they find the time is stretching too far into the future they can modify the choices to bring things under control. Even so, it’s unlikely delivery will stretch beyond four months.ENGINESTwo standard models are on offer; the DS3 Cabrio D-Style, which has a 1.6-litre 88 kW engine and four-speed automatic transmission, 16-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, audio with a full range of connections, interior mood lighting, and an aromatic air freshener as part of the climate-control system.The DS3 Cabrio D-Sport has a turbocharged 1.6 petrol engine, producing 115 kW of power and a wide-spread of torque, sitting at 240 Nm from 1400 to 4000 revs, driving through a six-speed manual gearbox. There are 17-inch black-alloy wheels, satellite navigation, a carbon-look dashboard, an upgraded sound system, chrome-tipped twin exhausts.SAFETYA full suite of safety gear is installed in the Citroen DS3 range, including six airbags, resulting in a five-star rating in crash testing.DRIVINGHeadroom in the front is good, but that in the rear is marginal for adults. There’s reasonable legroom in the back, though it’s probably best left for children. Similarly, though it’s set up as five-seater, seat width is limited and three adults would find it pretty cramped.Our brightly coloured Citroen convoy certainly attracted the attention of bystanders and other motorists, showing the stylists have got the shape right. With the roof open all the way we experienced no wind buffeting worth worrying about – see the previous remarks about hairdos not being damaged. With the roof closed the DS3 cabriolet was almost as quiet as the hatchback variant.Handling is very good for a front-drive car and remained pretty neutral until high cornering forces were generated. Then it scrubbed off speed in understeer to bring it back on line. Electronic stability is there should someone make a big mistake in cornering far too fast. Steering feedback is good and the DS cab is happy to change direction in a nimble fashion.While the seats have a sporty look the distance between the bolsters is pretty wild so they don’t offer a lot of support for people of average width.Engine performance from the non-turbo engine in the D-Style is nothing to get excited about, but the four-speed automatic transmission does a good job of changing down when required for added urge. The turbo engine in the D-Sport is much better and sings along nicely, being responsive and happy to rev.VERDICTWell priced and highly specified, the new Citroen DS3 cabriolet adds another option for buyers looking for a fun machine that can be highly personalised. We can see this bright and airy model having a bright future downunder. Citroen DS3 CabrioPrice: from $30,990 (D-Style) $32,990 (D-Sport)Engine: 1.6-litre petrol or turbo petrol, 88kW/160Nm, 115kW/240NmTransmission: four-speed auto (D-Style), six-speed manual (D-Sport)Thirst: 6.7L/100km (D-Style), 5.9L/100km (D-Sport)

Promise, we won't use the word 'quirky' any more for Citroen. It is, after all, one of the biggest selling brands in Europe. Now they've come out with a drop top cabriolet version of the cute little DS3, Citroen's version of the Peugeot 208, and it's a throw-back to the "legendary'' Citroen 2CV in some ways.DESIGNThough touted as an anti-retro car, the roof of the DS3 cabriolet is straight out of the 2CV book except for the fact that it's power operated and three layers of vinyl instead of a greasy piece of canvas. Oh and there are some rather funky colours and designs including one with the DS monogram imprinted. Tres cool.The DS3 cabriolet roof peels back leaving the side roof structure around the doors and can be set in one of three positions, intermediate, horizontal and total with the roof tucked up onto the rear window like a spoiler.This is the true interpretation of a "cabriolet" whereas most other cabriolets are infact convertible roadsters with no remaining roof structure when the top is wound back. It's a cheap and effective way to get some sun and wind in the car when you're driving. And the DS3 version looks pretty cute in a puppy dog sort of way. The roof opens/closes fully in 16 seconds at speeds up to 120kmh.Unlike other drop tops, the DS3 gains minimal weight (25kg) and therefore offers the same performance, fuel economy and feel as the tin-top hatchback. Citroen re-invented the boot lid for this car which features a pivoting, parallelogram style boot opening up to a letter box aperture to 'post' you luggage through.Tricky styling features include 3D tail lights that disappear into infinity. Inside is specified to a luxury level with seats for five at a pinch. The interior is technical and funky with easy to operate switches and a look like no other car including a flat bottom wheel and broad sweep of mock carbon fibre fascia. The three layer roof is hand-made at a factory in France to be benchmark for fit and finish.RANGE AND PRICETwo models are offered; the D-Style four-speed auto only and the D-Sport six-speed manual only with the former going for $30,990 and the latter $32,990.There's a big difference between the two in that the Style has a 1.6-litre, naturally aspirated, four cylinder engine with 88kW/160Nm capable of 6.7-litres/100km while the Sport has a 1.6-litre turbo petrol four-pot achieving 115kW/240Nm and 5.9-litres/100km.Both are a premium of $3200 on the DS3 hatch. Like Peugeot, Citroen Australia offers capped price servicing at $360 a pop for three years. Desirable options such as satnav and leather hike the price by $4000.DRIVINGForget all that French style once you get going... it wouldn't pull the skin off a custard and the four-speed auto is hopelessly inadequate when put under even modest pressure such as accelerating from low speeds up a steepish hill. Kickdown also means a big ratio jump which translates into higher than expected engine revs. It falls short on the sport side, but would perhaps be better being restricted to a town runabout role.The manual on the other hand is a decent thing with strong, flexible power and a comfy, controlled ride. It gets a bit of steering backlash at speed on bumpy corners but that's about the only criticism of the car's dynamics. Pity you can't get a six-speed auto turbo....VERDICTCute styling, stylish interior and generous features plus the price make the DS3 Cabriolet a tempting proposition. It's the second cheapest cabrio on the market to the awful Fiat 500 Cabriolet.Citroen DS3 CabrioPrice: from $30,990 (D-Style) $32,990 (D-Sport)Engine: 1.6-litre petrol or turbo petrol, 88kW/160Nm, 115kW/240NmTransmission: four-speed auto (D-Style), six-speed manual (D-Sport)Thirst: 6.7L/100km  (D-Style), 5.9L/100km (D-Sport)