Test Car Specifications
Model tested: Citroen DS 3 1.6 THP 165 DSport
Pricing: £21,225 as tested
Engine: 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol
Transmission: front-wheel drive, six-speed manual
Body style: three-door hatchback
CO2 emissions: 129g/km (VED Band D, £110 per year)
Combined economy: 50.4mpg
Top speed: 135mph
0-62mph: 7.5 seconds
Power: 165hp at 6,000rpm
Torque: 240Nm at 1,400rpm
What's this?
The 2015 DS 3, not that you can really tell from the looks. Yes there are some cosmetic changes, but they amount to little more than new headlights with Xenon and 'jewel-like' LED units, plus the standard fitment of the DS 3 Cabrio's hypnotic tail lights. There are also some new colours and roof combinations but the DS range offers so much personalisation anyway that you are unlikely to notice that.
The big news (other than the engine, which we will get to in a tick) is that DS is in the midst of splitting from Citroen. It is not going anywhere, as such, but we will soon stop referring to DS cars as Citroens and the chevron badge will soon fade from existence on the upmarket models. This is the way DSs are currently sold in China and the brand identity will be rolled out worldwide by 2018. By that time the DS offering will have doubled from three to six models and second generations of the current DS 3, DS 4 and DS 5 will be joined by a compact-crossover (likely similar to China's DS 6WR), an extravagant saloon (Numero 9 anyone?) and a more conventional saloon sitting below those in the line-up. These six cars will be offered the world over rather than the three for Europe, three for China way DS operates at the moment.
So, back to the engine; as you may have guessed, the THP 165 is, in essence, the same engine as the THP 155, but with a bit of fettling to give it more power (10hp in case you hadn't noticed), reduced emissions and fuel consumption. The changes also mean the engine is Euro6 compliant, unlike the THP 155 which was only Euro5 compliant.
Of course when we say a bit of fettling we mean quite a bit; a new stop-start system has been fitted for starters, the engine internals have been smoothened and coated in a 'Diamond Like Carbon' material to reduce friction, it even uses less oil that before. The result is an engine that, despite offering more power, is up to 18 per cent more economical and emits 6g/km of CO2 less than its predecessor.
How does it drive?
Quite well actually. The DS 3 has always been a capable enough steer and while the cobble lined streets of Paris would not have been our choice of venue for a car launch they did show how compliant the DS 3 is over uneven surfaces. This compliance does not come at the expense of body control though; pitch it into a corner and the little Citroen (are we allowed call it that anymore?) holds on wilfully. While not as much fun to drive as a comparably priced MINI or Fiesta it does not embarrass itself either. Handles slippery conditions well too.
The one disappointment with the engine relates to its upper echelons. As the DS 3 Racing is no more this THP 165 is the de facto 'sportier' side of the DS 3 line-up, but you would not know that if you are driving it enthusiastically. We suspect emissions tuning has dulled some of the top end pizzazz of the engine, which, compared to the likes of the MINI Cooper S (£18,665) and Fiesta ST (£17,250), may put off some buyers. A shame really as in its power band the DS 3 is a hoot to drive especially with access to 240Nm of torque from 1,400rpm, which makes for decent in-gear acceleration.
Verdict
Despite being four years old the DS 3's design is still fresh looking and appears have to been untouched by its relative ubiquity in the UK - even now it still ranks in the top-ten selling cars - but the cosmetic changes, while minimal, are welcome. However, at this price, the DS 3 THP 165 is up against some talented competition and so the DS 3 is at its best when in diesel flavour.
Exterior Design
Interior Ambience
Passenger Space
Luggage Space
Safety
Comfort
Driving Dynamics
Powertrain
