CITROEN DS3 | Citroen DS3 Test Drive Report (Miniature Car Giveaway!)

CITROEN DS3 | CITROEN DS3

What's the Ride Like in the New Design-Conscious Model? (1)

The DS3 was born from a desire to break free from past values and embrace new ones. Fumi Oikawa attended a test drive event for this model, which is drawing attention for its design features, such as the "Vehicle Personalization" that allows for color coordination between the body and roof.

Text by Fumi OikawaPhotos by Nobuhiro Takahashi

Symbol of Creative Technology

Citroën's new two-door compact coupe, the DS3, is a model packed with noteworthy elements. Beyond its innovative design, it boasts a class-leading interior space and the "Vehicle Personalization" feature, offering a wide array of color combinations for the body and roof.

The Citroën DS3 is a new car unveiled in the autumn of 2009. It's a front-wheel-drive model with a 1.6-liter engine housed in a body less than four meters long. In Japan, it is offered in two variants: the "Sport Chic" (¥2.69 million), featuring a 156ps turbo engine paired with a 6-speed manual transmission, and the "Chic" (¥2.49 million), equipped with a 120ps naturally aspirated unit and a 4-speed automatic transmission.

DS is the name given to Citroën's new line, which Citroën Japan describes as a "symbol of creative technology." For the DS3, this translates to elements like being "small, high-quality, sporty, and fun." The company also plans to introduce the DS4 in 2011 and the DS5 in 2012.

Chic and Sport Chic: Distinct Personalities

An interesting feature of the DS3 is the LED lamps arranged vertically on either side of the front grille, which are illuminated when the lights are off. The driving experience matches its appearance: lively and enjoyable. While the Chic model is geared towards users who prefer a comfortable city drive, the Sport Chic is suited for active drivers who want to enjoy both highways and winding roads.

The Sport Chic features bucket seats and a distinctively shaped steering wheel, designed to ignite the driver's enthusiasm. From the moment you start moving, it feels agile. Around 2,500 rpm, the turbo kicks in, delivering a surge of torque. The transition into the turbo's operating range is smooth and refined.

The 6-speed manual transmission offers excellent shift feel. The spacing between gears is not excessive, allowing for an enjoyable sporty experience. The large shift knob has a comfortable shape that fits well in the palm. Most importantly, it allows you to fully savor the performance of the 1.6-liter engine, co-developed with BMW. Manipulating the manual gears to utilize the strong torque band from low to mid-range RPMs is a sophisticated pleasure unique to internal combustion engine cars, reminding us of its intellectual appeal.

CITROEN DS3 | CITROEN DS3

What's the Ride Like in the New Design-Conscious Model? (2)

A Balanced Blend of Sportiness and Comfort

The ride is somewhat firm. The steering response is sharper and more sporty on the Sport Chic, likely due to its standard 17-inch tires compared to the Chic's 16-inch. While there's a slight choppiness at high speeds, the well-controlled damping makes for a ride that is by no means unpleasant. Considering its surprising acceleration and high-speed stability, it strikes a fine balance between sportiness and comfort.

Winding roads are where the DS3 truly shines. The lightly weighted steering offers excellent feedback, and the car reacts swiftly. With minimal body roll thanks to its suspension setup, maintaining your line is easy even at higher speeds. The torquey engine allows for quick acceleration out of tight corners. Cars from countries with mountainous terrain, like France and Italy, often excel on winding roads, and the DS3 is no exception. Despite its urban aesthetic, it possesses all-around capability.

Up to 19 Combinations for Body and Seats

When considering rivals for the DS3, the MINI immediately comes to mind. The MINI also recently underwent a minor change, now featuring the same 1.6-liter unit as the DS3, replacing its previous 1.4-liter engine. For those who typically drive alone or with one passenger, a two-door car is a stylish and desirable choice. For such individuals, the DS3, crafted by Citroën, is undoubtedly an appealing option.

The DS3 adopts the concept of "Vehicle Personalization." It offers a wide variety of parts for the body, roof, side mirrors, dashboard, road wheels, and seats, allowing for relatively free combination. According to Citroën Japan, 19 different combinations are possible in Japan.

The key concept behind the DS3's advertising is "anti-retro." This stands in contrast to the development approach of some automakers who adapt past hits for modern times. The "DS" in the car's name is derived from Citroën's luxury sedan introduced in 1955. However, the 2009 DS3 inherits only the "floating roof" design concept from its namesake. Perhaps another inherited element is its avant-garde presence. The television commercials in its home market feature icons of the era, such as John Lennon and Marilyn Monroe, conveying a message of moving beyond the past and embracing new challenges. The DS3 serves as a testament to this philosophy, resulting in a highly persuasive product.