Our German correspondent slices and dices the latest rumblings, news, and quick-hit driving impressions from the other side of the pond. His byline may say Jens Meiners, but we simply call him . . . the Continental.
At the Paris auto show last month, I spent a lot of time at the DS stand. That’s Citroën’s premium subsidiary, a stand-alone brand that has been separate from Peugeot and Citroën for about three years now. It is set to become a player on the international stage?including in the U.S. By 2020, DS aims to launch six new models to support a push to sell globally, and that doesn’t include updates and replacements for the current lineup. Within two years, DS plans to add a plug-in-hybrid crossover with an electric range of nearly 40 miles and electric driving capability up to 100 mph. What’s more, DS will have its own unique style.
Earlier this year, I drove a DS3, a direct response to BMW’s Mini and a declaration of war with its advertising claim: “Anti Retro.” It was the top, Performance model, and I enjoyed it immensely, with its 204-hp 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine (co-developed with BMW, incidentally). Instead of a full review?this car isn’t coming to the U.S.?I will submit for your consideration that the DS3 is fast, responsive, and stylish, an excellent alternative to the equally fantastic Audi S1 and the Mini. If your travels take you to Europe, it’s worth seeking one out.

The DS models...