Exclusivity, Style AND Luxury now come in a smaller size
25/08/2009
The Citroën DS3 will make its world debut at the Frankfurt International Motor Show on 15 September 2009, combining luxury, style and exclusivity in a smaller package that meets today’s demands for fuel efficient, low emission cars without losing the delights that make motoring such a pleasure. “The past few years have seen a significant change in market demand,” explains Miles Williams, General Manager for Citroën in Australia. “Driven in many countries not just by a desire by motorists to do the right thing by the environment but also by aggressive tax regimes based on differential taxation based on emissions and fuel consumption, many motorists are now down-sizing their cars into market sectors that have in the past been almost the exclusive preserve of cheap, basic cars.”
“This new group of small car buyers want the advantages of owning a small car, but they also wish to maintain the style, comfort, equipment levels and exclusivity of larger cars. A well or even very well equipped version of an existing car in this size category is not sufficient for this new class of car buyers. They want a car designed and built to their specific needs and desires. The Citroën DS3 is this car, designed and built for style and exclusivity, equipped for luxury and comfort, but with the size and technology that makes it environmentally sensitive and easy to use in the city,” says Mr Williams.
The exclusivity of the Citroën DS3 starts with the name; it is the first of a range of new elite models from Citroën that will be followed by the DS4 and DS5. Setting the DS3 apart from the rest of the Citroën range is its own, individual sense of style, including a ‘floating’ roof, a ‘shark fin’ that lends vigour to the waistline, and recesses on the nose housing LED lights. This unique style continues inside with an atmosphere where elegance and technology meet and marks of quality abound. The sophisticated instrumentation – with three conical dials on the cluster – driver-focused commands, low-set driving position and body-hugging seats lend a cockpit feel. Chrome trim further enhances the overall sense of vitality with luxury and distinction. The DS3 also appeals to the senses with the HiFi System, worthy of latest-generation home systems.
Exclusivity also means a new level of personalization. The DS3 is in fact not one but a multitude of vehicles, that each owner can create to match his or her fashion. Exterior personalisation components include the roof, body, rearview mirror housings and wheels. Inside, customers get a choice of dashboard strip, gearstick knob and a host of other interior equipment with a panoply of colours, fabrics and materials. And for the ultimate in bespoke motoring, customers can select from seven innovative personalisation themes reflecting different trends and lifestyles. The DS3 is a highly personal and categorically singular vehicle.
The DS3 is also a stand-out on the road, combining driving pleasure and everyday ease of use. Nimble and energetic, the DS3 brings the driver “closer” to the road for effortless cornering. For Vincent Besson, Director of Products and Markets Strategy at PSA, “driving the DS3 is like having the wheels at your fingertips”. The DS3’s on-road assurance gives it crisp reactions and top-level control and safety. And travelling comfort sets a new standard in the segment.
The newcomer's CO2 emissions are fully in line with CITROËN’S environmental leadership, coming in as low as 99 g/km. It will ship in Europe with a choice of five carbon-efficient Euro V engines:
Two HDi DPFS units developing 110 bhp and 90 bhp,
Three petrol engines with the THP 150, VTi 120 and VTi 95.
Citroën has also made remarkable efforts to keep the weight of the DS3 to a strict minimum, while using a new development plan to ensure robustness. Manufactured in France at the Poissy plant, it benefits from all of PSA's production system approaches, for exemplary overall quality.
Another innovative aspect of the DS3 is that its sleek body styling disguises an impressively versatile hatchback. It gets the most out of its exterior dimensions (3.95 m long, 1.71 m wide and 1.46 high) through particularly intelligent architecture. For example, the dashboard is set high up to increase leg room and the slim-back seats and estate car-style rear design free up room in the back. These design feats bring customers five real seats, extensive stowage space (including a 13-litre glove box) and a capacious boot (285 l) with a modular, 60:40 split-fold rear bench.
“The Citroën DS3 represents a fresh new approach to this category,” explains Miles Williams. “Existing models in this new prestige sub-sector have put the emphasis on performance and lack that flexibility and versatility that Citroën DS3 provides through its blend of intelligent design and style to produce a car that is not only exclusive, stylish and comfortable, but also spacious, flexible and easy to own. In short it is car that provides all the benefits of luxury car ownership with none of the drawbacks and, as such, is destined to become another success for Citroën.”
The Citroën DS3 will arrive in Australia the second half of 2010, when local prices and specification will be announced.
