France's Mini warrior
2009-08-26 08:40
Citroen has released these official photos of its production DS3, which will be unveiled at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show. The DS3 is aimed at premium small hatchbacks such as the Mini Cooper and Alfa Romeo MiTo.
The French carmaker therefore hopes that the DS3 will give the brand a “funkier” image. Sharing its underpinning with the next Citroen C3, the DS3 shares most of its eye-catching design with the original concept cars.
Like the Mini Cooper, DS3 buyers will be able to customise their cars with a choice of colours and trim. Even the DS3's key fob will also be made to match the chosen colours.
The DS3 will be available with a choice of five engines - two diesel and three BMW co-developed petrol units, while five or six-speed manual gear boxes will be available..
The DS3 should be economical too with the HDi diesel engines promising CO2 emissions of 99g/km and 115g/km CO2 respectively, whilst the petrol engines emissions will be between 136g/km and 160g/km CO2.
Other DS models are expected to follow the DS3 with the DS4 in 2011 and the DS5 in 2012.
The DS3 is expected in South Africa in the second half of 2010.