We review the Citroen DS3 Cabrio (2013) from price to economy and all its features
WITHOUT their DS range Citroen would be struggling.
But the French automaker have sold 300,000 DS models in just 30 months and have made a huge difference to the European market where overall sales are falling.
The UK has been one of the biggest markets — with nearly 43,000 DS sales, and many of the buyers are new to the Citroen brand.
The risky move to push the marque more upmarket has proved an inspirational gamble that has paid off.
And Citroen have ambitious plans to grow the range and increase sales, including cabriolet and SUV/crossover versions.
The DS3 has become such a cult car for the fashion conscious motorist that it has taken sales away from Mini.
And the DS3 is about to get even more individual with a new cabriolet that we tested this week in the Spanish sunshine.
MOST people thought it was suicide when Citroen decided to take on the Mini with their DS3.
But Citroen are more than holding their own – and in some markets it is out-selling the Mini.
That’s a major achievement for a new model that was starting from scratch against one of the world’s four-wheeled icons.
Citroen have clearly taken elements of the Mini formula, such as offering endless levels of personalisation with the DS3.
They are taking the same route that Mini – and their other rival the Fiat 500 – have successfully taken by expanding the DS3 line-up with a cabrio version.
And driving a cabrio with the roof down in Spain while the UK shivered in snow was a good way of confirming why we love a soft top.
Cabrios up the desirability and fun – even if UK summers mean using the soft top is a lottery.
The DS3’s triple-ply canvas roof glides all the way back in 16 seconds – even when driving at speeds of up to 70mph – so you don’t get caught in a downpour.
And like the rest of the DS range, you can personalise the cabrio to suit your taste, starting with the canvas roof and a choice of three colours – black, Infiniti Blue and the DS Monogramme.
In truth, the roof is not a traditional, fully retractable affair.
Like the Fiat 500, it’s more like a full-length glass sunroof folding to the back window.
The cabrio looks the same as the hatchback, apart from 3D rectangle-shaped LED rear lights. But as styling is the main reason people buy it, that makes sense.
It is a quick, small car with agile handling and shares the same 1.6litre turbo petrol engine as the Mini. Although 25kg heavier, the cabrio handles the same – and it’s as economical at close to 47mpg.
If mpg is more important than mph, get the 1.2litre three cylinder with reasonable performance and more than 55mpg.
Citroen stress the cabrio is roomier than the Mini or Fiat – which it is – and say it’s a full five-seater. But the three in the back would be kids and at a squeeze. It has a good-sized boot though, plus a 60/40 split folding rear seat.
The cabin is modern and chic with high-quality trims – including leather. And priced from £15,045, it’s one of the most affordable ways to enjoy soft-top motoring.
Prices do rise to £19,675 for the top-of-the-range 1.6 turbo – and above £20,000 if you get all the personalised options.