Revitalised Citroën DS3 range, celebrating 60 years of DS, arrives in South Africa

• More focused five-model range with revised nomenclature
• Upgraded interiors with sport seats and high standard equipment levels
• New engines introduce PureTech technology to DS range
• Sport model distinguished by its new light signature with the DS LED Vision
• Seven colours, choice of white or black roof, allows individuality
• Six decades of DS heritage – iconic DS19 first launched in 1955

PCSA has updated the compact, progressive DS3 hatchback range with a more focussed, five-strong model range, updated interiors with upgraded equipment levels, and the introduction of high-efficiency PureTech engine technology for the first time.

The introduction of the 2015 DS3 line-up also coincides with the celebration of 60 years of DS heritage. The iconic Citroen DS19, with its avant garde styling and advanced technology, was launched in 1955, and six decades later still serves as the inspiration for the DS brand’s 21st Century products.

“The DS nameplate enjoys special significance in the Citroën universe,” says Francis Harnie, managing director of PCSA. “It expresses the elegance, forward-thinking design, innovation and heritage that is at the core of Citroën’s products, but in an even more concentrated, more individual way.

“The upgraded DS3 line-up presents the distinctive DS offering in a more focussed range that emphasises high across-the-range equipment levels, new engine technology and a more succinct naming structure. It is further proof of our commitment to the SA market and its customers, and our intention to offer local buyers meaningful, desirable products,” Harnie concluded.

The updated DS3 range consists of five models, including the DS3 Cabrio, which now becomes a DS3 derivative, as opposed to a separate entity. The line-up offers a choice of four engines and two transmissions, together with three levels of standard equipment across all five versions.

Thus, many of the DS3 features previously offered as added-cost options have now been included in the standard specification, greatly simplifying the ordering process, and expressing significant value for money.

The striking shape and powerful design of the DS3 have remained unchanged. The compact three-door, with its ‘floating’ roof, characteristic shark-fin C-pillar and instantly recognisable front-end treatment remains one of the most evocative hatchbacks in a segment characterised by conformity.

Also retained is the DS3’s intelligently packaged interior, which delivers space and comfort for both front and rear occupants. Wide-opening doors ensure convenient access, while stylish finishes and materials ensure an air of contemporary elegance.

An extensive list of comfort, convenience and safety features is common to all DS3 models, not only elevating the compact hatchback above the norm, but also swapping the previous model’s extensive list of options for a more defined, all-inclusive execution.

Personalisation is possible via a choice of seven exterior colours, combined with a choice of either white or black roof finishes.

The only added cost options over and above the standard specification for each model are metallic paint, a service plan upgrade, and a warranty extension.

DS3 PureTech 60 kW Design

The most affordable member of the updated DS3 family is the DS3 PureTech 60 kW Design. Offered with a five-speed manual gearbox only, the Design lives up to the DS reputation for style and individuality.

Featuring 16-inch steel wheels with full-sized wheel covers, shod with 195/55 R16 tyres, the DS3 Design’s exterior is embellished with chrome door handles, exterior mirrors with roof-coloured housings and chromed mounts, and chrome side vanity strips.

Halogen headlights accompanied by LED daytime running lights are standard, as are front fog lights and 3D tail light clusters. The exterior mirrors are electrically adjustable and heated. The DS3 Design can only be ordered with a black roof.

Featuring a sport seat, the interior execution is smart and attractive, thanks to a dark, soft-touch dashboard, matched to a combination of upmarket cloth upholstery and Alcantara trim. Both front seats feature height adjustment, while the multifunction steering wheel is adjustable for height and reach.

The standard equipment list includes manual air-conditioning, cruise control, remote central locking with integrated immobiliser and alarm, and an MP3-compatible CD player with six loudspeakers. Bluetooth connectivity for hands-free telephony and audio streaming is also included, together with USB and auxiliary audio inputs.

Safety is comprehensively addressed via six airbags, tyre pressure monitoring, ABS brakes with electronic brake force distribution (EBD), electronic stability programme (ESP) and Isofix child seat tethers.

Powered by a 60 kW version of the new-generation, high-efficiency PureTech engine, the Design is offered in manual-transmission form only. The normally aspirated three-cylinder unit is credited with a maximum output of 60 kW at 5 750 r/min, coupled to a torque peak of 118 Nm at 2 750 r/min. Drive is to the front wheels via five-speed manual gearbox.

The DS3 Design accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 12.3 sec, and is credited with a 174 km/h top speed. Combined-cycle fuel consumption comes to 4.7 litres/100 km, with a CO2 emissions rating of only 109 g/km.

DS3 e-THP PureTech 81 kW Style

One step up from the DS3 Design, the DS3 Style combines an even more comprehensive standard specification list with a more powerful drivetrain.

Externally, the most obvious difference is the fitment of black, 17-inch alloy wheels, shod with 205/45 R17 tyres. Also notable are the dark-tinted rear side windows, while those with an eye for detail will also note the rear parking sensors. Both white and black roof colours are offered.

Inside, the dashboard is finished in a piano black gloss finish, but the remainder of the execution is identical to that of the Design. Additional standard equipment includes auto-activating headlights and windscreen wipers.

However, the biggest change is hidden under the bonnet. The DS3 Design is powered by the turbocharged, e-THP version of the 1.2-litre PureTech engine, linked to a five-speed manual gearbox driving the front wheels.

As a result, power output increases to a useful 81 kW at 5 500 r/min, combined with a 205 Nm torque maximum, on song from must 1 500 r/min.

The DS3 Style (with Stop & Start technology) nips from standstill to 100 km/h in a frisky 10.6 sec, and will reach a top speed of 190 km/h. However, it’s still a frugal fuel sipper, with a combined cycle fuel consumption figure of 4.5 litres/100 km, and CO2 emissions of 104 g/km.

Two additional DS3 Style models

The DS3 e-THP 81 kW Style hatchback is partnered by two further Style models, both sharing the same standard specification levels.

As its designation implies, the DS3 Cabrio e-THP 81 kW Style is a cabriolet version of the DS3 hatchback. It features exactly the same execution, platform and drivetrain as its tin-top stablemate, and therefore also benefits from the same power and torque output.

The DS3 Cabrio Style’s canvas top (available in black) is electrically raised and lowered at the push of a button.

The third DS3 Style model on offer is the DS3 VTi 88 kW Style Automatic. It mirrors the DS3 Style 81 kW PureTech Style’s standard equipment list, but the drivetrain links a 1 598 cc VTi four-cylinder engine to a four-speed automatic transmission.

Performance is peppy, with a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 10.9 sec, and a 190 km/h top speed. Combined-cycle fuel consumption is 6.6 litres/100 km, while the CO2 emissions rating comes to 150 g/km.

Range-topping DS3 e-THP 120 kW Sport

Unashamedly athletic, the flagship of the updated DS3 range is the DS3 e-THP 120 kW Sport. It combines a more extrovert exterior treatment with an even more comprehensive standard equipment list, while a more powerful drivetrain ensures that the go matches the show.

Tell-tale exterior features that set the range-topper apart from the other DS3 stablemates include new-generation DS LED Vision headlights, which combine Xenon and LED modules to create a new, distinctive lighting signature.

Inside, the cloth/Alcantara combination of the other DS3 models is replaced with perforated leather upholstery, while the gear level and the door panels are also leather-trimmed. The manual air-conditioning makes way for automatic climate control air-conditioning.

For music fans, the DS3 Sport gets an upgraded hi-fi audio system, while the eMyWay satellite navigation system is standard, too. The remainder of the standard features list is the same as on the DS3 Style models.

The DS3 Sport is powered by a turbocharged 1 598 cc four-cylinder engine with a rated maximum power output of 120 kW at 6 000 r/min, tighter with maximum torque of 240 Nm at 1 750 r/min. Drive remains to the front wheels, but via a six-speed manual gearbox.

Not surprisingly, the DS3 Sport is the most athletic member of the DS3 range. It sprints from rest to 100 km/h in 8.1 seconds, and achieves a top speed of 218 km/h. Even so, fuel consumption is impressive at 5.6 litres/100 km for the combined cycle, with a CO2 emissions rating of 129 g/km.

Pricing, service and warranty

The recommended retail prices for the updated DS3 models are as follows:

DS3 PureTech 60 kW DESIGN	R239 900
DS3 e-THP PureTech 81 kW STYLE	R279 900
DS3 VTi 88 kW STYLE Automatic	R294 900
DS3 Cabrio e-THP Puretech 81 kW STYLE	R304 900
DS3 e-THP 120 kW SPORT	R329 900

Prices include a three-year/100 000 km warranty, a four-year/60 000 km service plan and three years of 24-hour AA Roadside Assistance. A five-year/100 000 km warranty extension and FreeDrive (comprising a five-year/100 000 km warranty plus five-year/100 000 km maintenance plan) can be specified at added cost.