Forget the DS 3 Crossback, now it’s called ds3. The little one from the French firm receives a facelift and changes its name because the three-door body is no longer marketed. Now we only have it available with that body in the purest crossover style and with the five doors. Also with an exemplary update that mainly affects the aesthetic level and its equipment. That’s it available from 28,950 euros and we are making the first contact to tell you all its details.
Although many do not remember it, this specimen was the first to launch DS as a sub-brand from Citroën back in 2009. Now we can talk about it being an independent brand whose plans are far from those of the chevron brand. It is clear that their philosophy is much more premium and that they will be able to achieve electrification sooner. In fact, in DS they have promised that all the cars they launch at from 2024 they will be electric. With the DS 3 they already have their homework done, as it has an E-Tense version with a ZERO label along with the traditional combustion variants.
Abroad
Design has always been one of the strengths of the DS. It is clear that “colours are for tastes” and that not everyone will like it, but it must be recognized that personality is not lacking. It keeps those lines so marked and introduces an update that starts at the front. There is a larger grill with a diamond-shaped pattern that can be in black or chrome depending on the version. Improve aerodynamic performance with “aerofoils” and look more dynamic. They are not missing either traditional DS Wings that serve to link the grill with new headlights.
This DS 3 debuts standard LED lighting throughout the range, through headlights with three well-marked modules, accompanied by daytime running lights in a vertical position. Optionally you can have DS Matrix LED Vision technology that improves visibility at night. We have already seen that the bumpers change on the outside and the 17 and 18 inch wheels. The color palette brings together up to seven colors, with two of them new (diva red and Laquered Gray) and the possibility of having two-tone combinations.
A detail that has always convinced the DS 3 is that it has a side supported by the flush door handles in the bodywork. And the rear, despite being the area that changes the least, continues to have a lot of personality. To the roof spoiler and the small rear window are added some LED taillights that are joined in the center with a strip that can be chrome or black. There appears the signature of the brand and below the logo and the version. The lower part is reserved for the bumper, with a great prominence of black.
We are clearly facing a small SUV that seeks to rival premium models for its focus. If we focus on its measurements, we see how it reaches the 4,118mm length, with 1,791 mm width and 1,534 mm height. The wheelbase goes up to 2,558 mm.
Inside
Inside the DS 3 we find technology and quality in equal parts. Launches the new entertainment source system DS-Iris System that makes it have greater fluidity and more functions in its 10.3-inch center screen. The main screen has been comfortable to use with very clear menus and also direct access through widgets. As if that were not enough, it is complemented by a 7-inch digital instrumentation and optionally a Head-Up Display that will facilitate the vision of certain information.
The design is one of the most unique points within the interior of the DS 3. The rhombus pattern (diamond) is the absolute protagonist of this cabin as it is present in all the buttons on the dashboard and also in some parts of the center console. Not to mention the contribution of the new materials that will make this interior feel among the highest quality from the small SUV segment. The soft cushions in the upper part of the dashboard and the leather upholstery in many of its finishes stand out.
Although it is true that the equipment of the DS 3 can vary considerably. For example, in the Ópera finish, greater luxury is sought through leather upholstery with a watch strap design. If we continue with the Rivoli we also see grained leather with a mixed color combination. The finishes Performance Line and Performance Line + are the sportiest in the range, while the Bastille already starts with quite striking fabric upholstery.
The truth is that the habitability it will never be the highlight of the DS 3. The front seats meet expectations, but the second row of seats is going to be behind the average point, access is complicated by opening the doors and we also see that there is less glass area and therefore the feeling of claustrophobia grows. The side seats are not bad for their headroom, although for the legs it stays fairer and the central square is completely insufficient for an adult.
Trunk
If we already saw that habitability was not the strong point of the DS 3, we are going to see the same trend in the trunk. Has a 350 liter capacity, somewhat below average. The proportions are quite straight, although it must also be said that the loading mouth is in a high position. In the electric version its capacity is maintained, although we will have to take into account that charging cables will take up space. In the case of folding down the rear seats, something that can be done in two parts (60:40) we would have a total capacity of 1,050 liters.
Engine
The mechanical range of the DS 3 we find it quite reasonable. It has an electric variant with a ZERO label to anticipate the future, but it also maintains a gasoline and a diesel version for those who are not ready to make the leap yet. In the case of E-Tense, we see a 156 hp electric motor (more powerful than its predecessor), which is linked to the 50.8 net kWh battery. Get a range of 404 kilometers, which is quite a lot for a model with a purely urban approach.
On the part of the gasoline we find the 1.2 Pure Tech, a three-cylinder gasoline engine that can be chosen with 100 or 130 hp. In the first case it is linked to a six-speed manual gearbox, while in the second it can only go with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The diesel option is the 1.5 Blue HDI four-cylinder that has 130 hp and can only go with the eight-speed automatic transmission.
Behavior
We get behind the wheel of the new DS 3 in its more interesting version that released so far. It is an electric E-Tense that comes with great innovations at the mechanical level. In fact, it’s the The first to mount this propulsion system inside the Stellantis, although others such as the Jeep Avenger will soon follow. If until now it had a permanent magnet synchronous electric motor, now it receives a more powerful one that reaches up to the 156 hp and 260 Nm of torque.
Also new are the reducer and the battery that increase, in addition to its power, also the autonomy.The first thing you notice driving this copy is a almost absolute silence while driving. Despite its size and its approach, it improves compared to other more expensive and high-end electric cars. That’s because there’s lots of soundproofing on board and also to the refinement of the system.
It’s a very nice car to drive in that sense, but also for how it unfolds. They are already 20 hp more than its predecessor, so we see improved acceleration. Make the 0 to 100 km/h in 8.7 secondsAlthough more important would be its 0 to 50 km/h or a recovery from 80 to 120 km/h in 5.6 seconds. The maximum speed is limited to 150 km/h, but it is not that much more is necessary.
We already said it, one of the most important elements in the new DS 3 E-Tense is the battery. Made with a combination of nickel, manganese and cobalt; It has improved its energy capacity and efficiency. It has a capacity of 54 kWh, which would be 50.8 kWh net, thus improving its autonomy. It homologates 404 kilometers, a figure that exceeds its predecessor by 63 kilometers. It can be charged in a Wallbox with a three-phase 11 kW socket in 5 hours and a quarter or in a fast 100 kW direct current socket in just 30 minutes.
In practice we have not been able to verify if that autonomy is met, since the test did not come close to that number of kilometers. However, the feeling is that the DS 3 will be able to travel about 350 kilometers with ease, especially when moving in urban environments. Average consumption will be around below 20 kWh/100km In either case, it is an easy vehicle to drive efficiently.
That is also due to the tuning of its chassis, which seeks more comfort than sportiness. The DS 3 E-Tense is quite agile thanks to its 1,550 kg of weight (about 300 kg more than combustion) and has a suspension scheme McPherson type on the front axle and semi-rigid axle for the rear. The truth is that the address hardly transmits anything, we find it too assisted.
Opinion cars.com
The DS 3 is about a almost unique option From the market. There aren’t many other small SUVs looking for a premium approach, just the Audi Q2 and Mini Countryman. That is clearly represented through that striking design and distinguished interior. If there is something to highlight in this issue, it would be the quality of that cabin and the differentiation in its design through the details. However, there are also some bad things that we have found in this new DS 3.
We have already said that it will not be suitable for those who want to make long trips with some comfort due to a below average interior. Nor will it convince those looking for a priceWell, before us we have one of the most expensive cars of its size. It has a starting price of 28,950 euros as a rate that will grow as we configure it with its highest-end finishes. In addition, the already tested DS 3 E-Tense part of 41,500 eurosa fairly high price even for the electric version.
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