Month: May 2015

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Citroen’s DS 3 waves two fingers at the retro look – instead opting for modern, urban chic

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It’s hard not to like the DS 3. While other manufacturers follow the retro route for their urban runabouts, Citroen has instead opted for chic, modern appeal.

The latest Mini has been ruined by the designer’s pen, recently morphed into an overweight city car. The Fiat 500 has sporned numerous bastard offspring that should never have seen the light of day. But the DS 3, well, it looks the prettiest of the three.

I’m not sure the five-speed gearbox in our diesel DS is the best choice and both rear seat legroom and boot space is only average. However, it’s spacious up front, trim materials are mostly good and the equipment list is exceptional.

Enthusiastic drivers will find the 1.6 model lacking but there are plenty of ‘hot’ DS models to tempt you. Overall, a smart little car that lives up to the visual promise.

Tomorrow we take to the road is the Subaru BRZ. Think Mazda MX-5 fun but in a coupe package…

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Damon Hill on the hill… What you can’t do in a McLaren

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I spent yesterday storming up the famous hill-climbing course at Goodwood with former F1 champion, Damon Hill. And yes, the headline will no doubt read ‘Hill On The Hill’ when the article appears in the FT.

We had been provided with a McLaren 650S – a £220,000 supercar of quite epic proportions. However, what bemused both Damon and myself was the fact the McLaren was too good to wheelspin!

The photographers wanted tyre smoke but despite out best efforts, the 650S just refused to oblige.

No such worries with the DS 3. It may only sport a humble diesel engine but it does have a proper handbrake and no traction control. So, you can do so much more in a Citroen!

 

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I’m missing sat nav in the DS 3 – motoring writers are spoilt with their test cars

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I can only assume the chap in the Citroen press photo is lost – perhaps wondering why the DS 3 he’s driving doesn’t have sat nav as standard…

One of the dangers of being a motoring writer is that you usually end up testing a vehicle loaded with extras. This week’s Citroen doesn’t have sat nav, probably the first car I’ve driven this year without it. Add around £1,000 if you are interested.

Things I’m liking about the DS 3 are the blindingly good headlights, the easy access to the rear seats despite only three doors, and a decent sized boot.

I’m not liking the lack of DAB radio, the fiddly Bluetooth set-up and some rather cheap feel trim inside the cabin. It’s odd. Some of the materials in this hatchback are top notch – others are cheap and nasty.

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The Citroen DS 3 has Pat Butcher ear-rings – crazy coloured door mirrors

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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…

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The Citroen DS 3 is a car for fashionistas to drool over. It just doesn’t drive that good…

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I think I’ve sussed the DS 3 already. While it bows to the trend for fashionista’s to personalise their car with a zillion different options and styles, it doesn’t have the drivability of the best superminis.

Shame really because I’ve already developed something of a soft spot for the bling white thing park outside. It looks great both inside and out.

But while alloy wheels and purposeful looks scream performance, the Citroen’s handling and steering just don’t live up to that promise.

I know there are faster, more ‘sport orientated’ DS 3s out there but the basic underpinnings of the range are all the same.

Our diesel makes a lot of noise when you push it hard. That combined with general road noise in the cabin make the interior uncomfortable at times.

Still, compared to a Mini or BMW 1 Series, it does represent great value for money…

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Somebody stuffed the Citroen DS 4 so we’re riding in a DS 3 instead

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Sometimes in this job it’s difficult not to compare the car that’s just been delivered with the vehicle that is on it’s way back to the test compound. So it was yesterday.

The shiny red Audi TT was leaving Car Couture and being replaced with a Citroen DS 3 (it was meant to be a DS 4 but somebody stuffed it on its last outing).

Yes, I’m supposed to be neutral and keep an open mind but I know which car I’d like to drive to Goodwood next week – and it’s not this French hatchback. Or so I thought…

OK, so the TT costs almost twice the price of the Citroen and is a proper sports car. The DS 3 meanwhile has a badge that harks back to the company’s glory days but is otherwise a small family hatchback with ear-rings.

I’m going to try and keep an open-mind I promise. It’s comfortable, spacious and much cheaper than a Mini too. There, I’m back to normal now…