Citroen has released the first production images of its DS3 premium small car. The DS3 debut in concept form earlier this year at the Geneva Motor Show, but will make its first public appearance as a production model at next month’s Frankfurt Motor Shwo.
The DS3 is based on Citroen’s C3 small car, but the DS version will give buyers more in the way of luxury and style amenities. Along with the increase in content, expect an increase in price.
The “haute-couture cabin,” according to Citroen, features black chrome touches, lounge-style carpeting, and a pearlescent ivory powder-finish leather headliner.
Designed to compete with the Mini Coopers and Fiat 500s of the world – at least for those seeking expressive style – the DS3 doesn’t really revive much beyond the name of the classic DS. The interior doesn’t break quite as much ground as the retro-modern style of the Cooper or even the 500, but it does add a healthy dose of style to the segment.
DS3 buyers will be able to choose between two diesel powerplants — producing 90 and 110 horsepower — and three gas engines, making 95, 120 and 15 horsepower. Five and six-speed manual gearboxes will be available, as well as an automatic unit.
Expect Citroen to announce DS3 pricing closer to the car’s launch in late 2009 or early 2010.
08/24, 2:10 PM
posted by:
DenverGuy217
Oddly entertaining… Citroen has had some cool designs as-of-late
08/24, 2:25 PM
posted by:
05Z88Path
Like some of the other Citroen’s previewed on LLN, it’s not a great looking car (IMO of course) but has a certain quirkiness to it that makes it somehow appealing. Maybe because their designs are so different then what we see in the states…just can’t seem to pin down what I love or hate about it. Instead I’m looking at it trying to figure it out. Weird.
08/24, 2:25 PM
posted by:
JakeK66
Citroen’s getting in the lawnmower business? 15 hp might not even be enough for a ride-on one, but makes for a pretty powerful push mower!
08/24, 2:26 PM
posted by:
No More Oil For Toyota
oddly entertaining is a good way to put it. interesting design, a bit overdone but its pretty cool.
08/24, 3:24 PM
posted by:
Borat
Citroen pioneered major innovations during last century. I would compare them in terms of innovation to either GM or Ford, yet is a tiny company in terms of sales. Radial tires were first used on Citroen (perhaps because Citroen was division of Michelin); famous Ford ‘32 coupe is actually Citroen body on frame, while Citroen with identical looks was unibody and front wheel drive (both are first in mass production).
Most of cars today are improvement on original DS 19, which was evolution of Citroen Avant (Ford ‘32 coupe as FWD and unibody contraction).
Looks are personal, I love the looks of this little toy (sort of Mini, but Citroen). Speaking of Mini, gasoline engines are identical as in Mini: BMW sourced gasoline engines from PSA and diesel from Toyota (another favorite on this blog). I would assume that diesel engines will come from Toyota as well and will be built in France, just like gasoline engines. PSA and Toyota have joined factory near Paris (NUMMI of France?).
I am sure 15 HP is a LLN typo, meant to be 150 HP.
08/24, 3:46 PM
posted by:
SomeGreek
This might be one of Citroen’s last breaths. They don’t make great cars anymore and except from the disign they don’t excel at anything.
The design of engines was made by Bmw and PSA worked on production costs, as i read some time in the past.
08/24, 4:00 PM
posted by:
Borat
The news of Citroen demise are with us since mid 1930’s – when Michelin had to rescue Citroen from financial troubles due to high cost of investment in new technology: Citroen Avant.
08/24, 4:12 PM
posted by:
Donfuy
I love it. Great classy and avantgarde design.
08/24, 5:13 PM
posted by:
ASIMO
Dig it, a lot. Designing a cohesive and good looking small car is not an easy task. This DS3 could stand to be a bit more toned down, but Citroën very much succeeded with this design.
08/24, 6:54 PM
posted by:
Rafa LL
Any teen would be damn crazy about that little toy.
08/24, 7:05 PM
posted by:
zoltar
Wow…one of the most original small hatchback designs that I’ve seen in a very long time. Love the floating roof design and the front LED’s….
The small hatch market in Europe is very tough, thats why you will see alot of intricate designs as manufacturers try to differentiate themselves.
08/24, 11:59 PM
posted by:
ConceptVBS
^
The front has lots of Hyundai Veloster influence. First, the Aston Martin One-77, now Citroen DS3. Good job Hyundai, finally others are copying your designs.
http://www.blogdecoches.com.ar/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/hyundai_veloster_concept.jpg
08/25, 12:59 AM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
I hope North Korea enters our market before we see French sh*t over here again.
08/25, 4:50 AM
posted by:
A4
…yes borat we all realized that 15hp was a typo. If you wouldn’t you probably cant work the internet anyway.
08/25, 12:24 PM
posted by:
volo
@Borat: Now even the Mini D has a diesel engine developped with PSA (1.6 Hdi), or more precisely, taken from the PSA/Ford diesel engine.
As for SomeGreek comment on Citroen’s last breath, let me laugh. Citroen is actually successfull and his market share is growing in europe, unfortunately eroding Peugeot’s market share. And the comment on PSA diesel engines implying that BMW did all the work: PSA’s strength is Diesel engine technology for small and medium sized cars. However it is their gasoline lineup which sucks a bit, that’s where BMW is good. so BMW and PSA developped the gasoline engine in the Mini, I guess mostly with BMW know how, and then BMW purchased PSA/Ford 1.6 diesel engine instead of the toyota one (I can understand, toyota is not so good in diesel engine)
08/25, 2:02 PM
posted by:
Borat
Volo, I have no idea who designed engine for Mini. The sticker on new car, the one that spells where all parts came from states that engine comes from France. When the current Mini was announced, BMW press release stated that engine is joint effort, unlike former Chrysler-Benz Brazilian made mill.
As far as PSA/Ford diesel engines, according to Wikipedia they all were designed by PSA, not Ford. Ford is a consumer, just like Mitsubishi, Volvo, etc.