Citroen reveals the DS3 ahead of its Frankfurt debut

Posted by Harvinder

August 25, 2009

French-based Citroen has officially unveiled the DS3, ahead of its Frankfurt debut. Design wise, the MINI-fighter looks a lot like the DS3 Concept that was unveiled at this year’s Geneva Motor Show. Highlights of the exterior design includes a “floating roof”, LED daytime running lights, Citroen’s signature front grille and more. Buyers can also opt for different colour options for the roof. Colours include Onyx black, Opale white, Botticelli blue and Carmen rouge. The rear view mirror housings as well as door sills can also be finished in either chrome or colour, while buyers can also select wheel colour, from a wide selection. There are also seven body colour options to choose from, including Maori, Zebra, Wave, Daisy, Co-Design, Map and Plane (first four will be available at launch)

The high quality interior of the 5-seater, 3-door lifestyle vehicle is treated to an instrument panel with a three-cluster design, organic and soft grain finish for thermo-coated components such as the dashboard top, finely overstitched leather upholstery (available in three colours), a dashboard strip that features the air vents, instrument cluster surround and multifunction screens which is available in eight finish options, and a good load of chrome. It is also practical, apart being good looking, with a high mounted dashboard for better leg room, slim back rests and estate car-style rear design for more room in the back, a 13-liter glove box, a boot with 285 liters of space and a 60:40 split-fold rear bench.

The safety list on the Citroen DS3 is made up by an ESP system, a total of six airbags (standard), ABS with electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD) and emergency brake assist (EBA) as well as Isofix anchor points in the rear side seats. More features include cruise control, gear change indicator, a sophisticated audio and multimedia system with built-in colour navigation (MyWay navigation), an MP3 and WMA-compatible CD player with Bluetooth connectivity. Furthermore, there are two types of front seats to choose from, including ‘comfort’ for the first trim levels and ‘dynamic’ for even more body support.

The DS3, which measures 3.95 meters long, 1.71 meters wide and 1.46 meters high (with a turning circle between 10.2 meters and 10.4 meters), is offered with five powerplant options, with two of them from the diesel family and the other three from the petrol family. The diesel group is made up by two HDi DPFS engines developing 90HP and 110HP, and mated to a 5 or a 6 speed manual gearbox.

The petrol engines include a 95HP VTi, a 120HP VTi and a 150HP VTi. Apart from the manual transmission, this engine group also includes the choice of an automatic cog box. The auto maker did not reveal fuel consumption figures, but we do know that the diesel engines release less than 115 g/km of CO2, with a model at 99 g/km. As for the petrol engines, all motivators release between 136 g/km and 160 g/km.

Suspension wise, the DS3 features MacPherson struts up north, while down south, it is treated to a flexible traverse beam. Aerodynamic efficiency of the DS3 is rated at 0.31. The auto maker is also expected to launch the DS4 and the DS5 by 2011. Continue reading to view an image gallery.