94 July 2012 BTM DAVID M. ROBERTSON Model Citroën DS3 hatchback Model year 2012 Engine type 1.6-litre, four-cylinder THP engine Displacement 1,598cc Horsepower 150 hp @ 6,000 rpm Torque 275 Nm @ 4,500 rpm Transmission Six-speed transmission Acceleration 0 to 60 mph: 7.3 seconds Top speed 133 mph The French have always been well-known for their styling and distinctive sense of fashion; in the motoring world that’s most evident in the Citroën brand. Once in a while a company designs a product and is then confronted with what can be an insurmountable problem: what to do next? This is pretty much what happened when Citroën exposed the DS model to the world back in 1955. The work of an Italian designer and a French engineer, it was way ahead of its time, with its suggestive bodywork, hydraulically-charged suspension and new-age interior. It was so well received that the car manufacturer was inundated with 12,000 orders on the day of its release! Pronounce the letters ‘DS’ the way the French do — déesse — and it translates into the English word ‘goddess’; this was a car pumped with emotion. The latest version, the DS3, might borrow the basics from its cousin the Citroën C3 and, in the car we tested, an engine developed together with other manufacturers, but the quintessential Citroën styling is back! Drive around town, and you’re going to draw admiring looks. This car is a real beauty; the bijou finish, the sporty appearance and the unique floating roof are hallmarks of the brand — it’s unashamedly chic! But, then again, the designers worked with three key words when styling the exterior: surprise, appeal and vitality. The end product is expressive; it’s muscular yet sensual body is equally compact, dynamic and the chrome lining is the icing on the cake. But don’t be fooled simply by the looks. The 1.6-litre THP engine delivers plenty of torque, even at low revs, and the sixspeed transmission gearbox is slick and easy to manoeuvre. Interior styling Step inside the interior and the DS3 is the consummate fashion statement. The seats you’d probably like to take home; simply gorgeous with their leather upholstery, they are more than comfortable. There’s ample space throughout the car, and more than enough in the boot to satisfy even the most compulsive shopper. If the aim of the design team was to form an emotional attachment to the DS3, then they have succeeded. The fabric and other materials used both look and feel good; if that is not sufficient, then there are 38 body and roof colour combinations from which you can choose to customise your car — viva la déesse! E Call 17 736-222 or visit the Motor City showroom in Sitra. motoringwheels Voluptuous Emotions
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