The DS 3 is a sister car to the C3 supermini but that’s where the comparisons end – the DS is more of a lifestyle choice than its sensible sibling. Like a racey relation in a Victorian novel, the DS is from the naughtier side of the family.

Well that’s how it’s supposed to look on paper. The DS has the Pat Butcher ear-rings – contrasting coloured door mirrors – and rather a lot of shiny chrome bits on the dashboard.

Buyers can customise the interior trim with a choice of dashboard colours and seat trims. Even the gearknob offers you multiple choice. In fact, you could spend a week on the Citroen website designing your perfect DS3, then delete and start again.

All the extra bits add up though – so don’t get too carried away as you click down the spec sheet…