DS Automobiles has revealed the new DS 3 and DS 3 Cabrio superminis.
Like its recently launched DS 4 and DS 5 sisters the new car is a facelift of the previous DS 3 launched in 2010, as Citroen?s luxury sub-brand seeks to establish its own upmarket identity.
There are, however, significant changes to the new version, upgrades that DS Automobiles hopes will particularly appeal to British buyers ? sales of the DS 3 in the UK exceed all other markets, even the car?s home territory of France.
A heavily revised look, new engines and more connectivity headline the changes on the new model. The exterior follows the DS 4 and DS 5 in gaining the ?DS Wings? front-end design with sculpted chrome elements that surround the grille and merge into the swept-back headlamps. The first DS model to wear what its creators dub as a ?double wing? design, the new DS 3 also retains several styling elements of its predecessor, notably the two-tone body/roof colouring, the ?floating? roof visual effect and the shark?s fin body panel rising behind the doors.
The personalisation options that have helped the DS 3 become a direct rival to the MINI are enhanced, including various roof, body, rear view mirror housings, dashboard and gear knob options and some 78 body/roof colour combinations, plus four fabric roofs on the DS 3 Cabrio.
A new seven-strong engine line-up is on offer, comprising three of Citroën?s PureTech three-cylinder petrol units, two THP four-cylinder petrols and a pair of Blue HDi die...