2010 Citroen DS3 Breaks Cover

To be launched at the Frankfurt Motor Show this September is the Citroen DS3 supermini, which is meant to pose a competition against the Mini and the Fiat 500. Citroen is hoping that the DS3 supermini, which is the first car in a DS range, would give the brand an image boost. The new model is based on the next C3, which isn’t due until 2010. It’s remarkable that the production car has stayed very close to the concept car, which starred in the latest Geneva show.

There are only two apparent differences. One would be the tailpipes in which a twin outlet replaces the concept car’s large single exhaust. The second difference is the installation of a conventional aerial instead of the concept car’s BMW-style fin. The wheels were unchanged. Its features include a fully glazed rear, with conventional C-pillars replaced by the rear window.

The car, at 3.95m long and 1.71 m wide, bears the same size as the Ford Fiesta. Citroen asserts however, that it has reduced the weight of the car. If customization is your thing, you’ll have a lot of fun with this car. Four color schemes are available for the roof (black, white, blue, and red) and you can opt for graphics to be placed. You can choose for door mirrors to be specified in body color or chrome. “An infinite variety of colors” is available for the wheel centers. For its interiors, you can choose from six different finishes for the dashboard insert. There are also five different gear lever trims to choose from. The key also features a small disc that bears the same color as the car’s body.

Engine choices are quite varied with two diesels and three petrol motors. Diesels are 1.6-liter HDi units with either 90bhp or 110bhp; with either 90bhp or 110bhp; the lower-powered unit emits only 99g/km of CO2. The four-pot petrol engines have outputs of 150bhp, 120bhp and 95bhp. All engines come with five or six-speed manual gearboxes. The DS3 has a new C3 chassis, which uses MacPherson strut front suspension and a torsion beam rear. The suspension has been reworked to increase refinement and will be tuned to be sportier than the C3. Citroen is making the most of the DS3’s interior space. The car has a 285-liter boot, which is comparable to that of the Fiesta, but has more load space than in the Fiat 500 and Mini. Citroën also pointedly claimed that that the DS3 will offer “five real seats.” Two other DS models will soon come out — the DS4 in 2011 the DS5, and a big estate/MPV inspired by the C-Sportlounge concept, in 2012. The cars could add as much as 40% to the sales of the mainstream models on which they are based. The DS3, which will go on sale next March, is expected to be priced lower than the Mini.