DS 3

Overview

Second generation

manufacturer	DS Automobiles
aka	DS 3 (China, 2021–2023; global, 2022–present)‡R34R‡‡R35R‡ DS 3 Crossback (2018–2022)
production	2018–present
assembly	France: Poissy (Poissy Plant)
designer	Nicolas Beauchamp
class	Subcompact luxury crossover SUV
body style	5-door SUV
layout	Front-engine, front-wheel-drive
platform	PSA EMP1 platform
related	Opel Corsa F Peugeot 208 II Opel Mokka B Peugeot 2008 II Citroën C4 III IKCO Reera
engine	Petrol: 1.2 L EB2ADTD/EB2DTS/EB2ADTX turbo I3 Diesel: 1.5 L DV5 BlueHDi I4
transmission	6-speed manual (ICE) 8-speed automatic (ICE)
motor	Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (E-Tense)
battery	50 kWh
electric range	332 km
wheelbase	2560 mm
length	4120 mm
width	1790 mm
height	1550 mm
weight	1245 - 1625 kg

The DS 3 (formerly known as Citroën DS3 and DS 3 Crossback) is a luxury supermini initially produced by the French automobile manufacturer Citroën and officially launched in January 2010. Positioned below the DS 4, this was the first and entry-level model from the DS premium sub-brand (pronounced déesse, which is French for goddess), which was spun-off in 2016 into DS Automobiles.[1]

Originally manufactured as a three-door supermini hatchback with a convertible variation from 2009 to 2019, the second generation became a five-door Crossover SUV, named as DS 3 Crossback from 2018 to 2022.

The model was named the "2010 Car of the Year" by Top Gear, awarded first supermini four times in a row by the JD Power Satisfaction Survey UK[2][3][4]

First generation (2009)

The vehicle was initially intended to be sold as a three-door, second-generation Citroën C3. Advanced projects from 2007 show the vehicle sharing an identical front with the production second-generation C3 with no mention of the DS sub-brand. At this stage, the vehicle was named Citroën C3 Coupé.[7]

The original Citroën DS3 design was first introduced as a concept car named Citroën DS Inside, unveiled on 5 February 2009, at the Geneva Motor Show,[8] introducing both the 2009 Citroën logo redesign and their DS sub-brand. The production model, called Citroën DS3, was introduced in August 2009, two months after the Citroën C3 II, with no emphasis that the two cars were having a lot in common.

Citroën revamped their DS3 line for the summer of 2011 with a new, limited-edition model, a new colour and a new decal on the roof. The new colour is brun Hickory, a shade of dark brown that recently made its debut on the DS3's bigger sibling, the DS4. One of the DS3's strongest selling points is the ability for a customer to personalize their car when they order it by mixing and matching body and roof colours, decals, and so on. This new colour helps that by bringing the total amount of available body colours to ten.

The DS3 features prominently in the video for the Pixie Lott song "What Do You Take Me For". It is the first car that has had product placement in a British music video.[9]

The DS3 range received a mild facelift in 2014, with revised engines and new design of Xenon-LED headlights for the top of the range models.[10] The new BlueHDi diesel, available in two states of tune, has a low emissions level of 79g/km. It received a new facelift in 2016, completely dropping any reference to Citroën and its logo.

DS3 Racing

A 207 hp version,[11] the DS3 Racing, was introduced at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. It is the road version of Citroën's rally specification car DS3 R3. The new 0-62 mph time is 6.5 seconds and the increased top speed is 146 mi/h.

The DS3 Racing was offered in only two colours, white with grey accents or black with orange accents including roof, wheels and interior. Besides these unique colour schemes, the DS3 Racing is distinguished from other trim levels by the use of real carbon fibre on the front splitter, grill, wheel arches and rear diffuser. Additionally, carbon fibre is prominently featured on the interior.[12]

In October 2011, Citroën announced that they were planning on building a total of 2,400 DS3 Racings, significantly more than the 1,000 initially planned in 2010.[13]

The Citroën DS3 WRC was used by the Citroën World Rally Team in WRC competitions between 2011 and 2016.

Facelift

In February 2016, the facelifted DS 3 was announced by DS Automobiles, as part of their separation from Citroën to become a standalone brand. The new DS 3 was launched at that year's Geneva Motor Show. The revised model no longer featured Citroën badges,[16] with the DS badge now featuring prominently on the front grille. The trim level names were also changed from DSign, DStyle and DSport and re introduced as Chic, Elegance and Prestige. An Ultra Prestige model was also added.

The facelifted model is identified by a revised front and rear design, plus the new range of PSA engines incorporating the 1.2-litre three cylinder PureTech petrol engines (available in normally aspirated 82 bhp and turbocharged 110 and 130 bhp variants), the 1.6-litre THP turbocharged petrol engine with 165 bhp, and 1.6-litre BlueHDi turbo diesel engines with 100 and 120 bhp. In addition, a new DS 3 Performance model was introduced with the THP engine uprated to 210 bhp, with a 0–100 km/h time of 6.5 seconds.

In June 2016, DS partnered with French luxury fashion and perfume company Givenchy and launched the DS 3 Givenchy Le MakeUp special edition.[17] A total of 500 Givenchy models were built and include unique features such as a textured matt white body with metallic purple roof and door mirrors, a rose pink dashboard strip and a make-up storage kit in the front central armrest. It is available with the PureTech 110 engine in manual or automatic transmission, and is based on the mid range Elegance trim level.

The DS Performance Line was launched in September 2016,[18] enabling the DS customer to have performance styling without any mechanical upgrades. DS 3 Performance Line includes aesthetics such as gloss black alloy wheels, black contrasting roof colour, exterior stripe graphics and interior coloured stitching.

In May 2018, DS Automobiles launched the DS 3 Café Racer limited edition, produced in 1,200 units. The vehicle's graphic identity, including the custom exterior decals and interior design elements, was created by Bruno Michaud of the BMD Design studio. The model featured a "Parthenon Cream" roof with vintage-style graphics, specific badging on the bonnet and doors, and a customized dashboard strip.[19]

DS 3

First generation (2009)

DS3 Racing

Second generation (D34) (2018)

Facelift

Safety

Safety

Engines

Sales

External links

References

DS3 Cabrio

Matière Grise edition

Facelift

Specifications

Safety

Safety

Sales and production