FEELING THE ROAD

Strong character for total peace of mind

The DS3 provides an allnew, resolutely modern driving experience combining verve and control. Responsive and assertive, the DS3 also sets new standards on ride comfort and behindthewheel pleasure.

Essentials behind this onroad performance:

• The chassis and running gear, with MacPhersontype suspension at the front and a flexible traverse beam at the rear, are the result of highprecision development work.
• Springing and damping have been developed to perfectly “read” the road, with excellent body roll control and impressive poise in corners, while remaining easy to handle.
• Bidensity shims on the rear axle effectively filter out road disturbances while ensuring excellent crosswise stability.
• Steering is enhanced by a smalldiameter wheel (363 mm) and a calibrated power setting to send back extremely precise information. This enables drivers to “place” the wheels exactly where they want, whatever the speed.
• Development work, which also extended to seats and tyres, has ensured perfect course stability, bringing drivers a reassuring feel of control.

Because a good car needs a good engine, the DS3 comes with five Euro V powerplants that score high on refinement, flexibility and performance:

• 2 HDi DPFS engines developing 90 bhp and 110 bhp mated to a 5 or 6speed manual gearbox,
• 3 petrol engines fitted with 5 and 6speed manual gearboxes: the THP 150, VTi 120 – also available with an automatic gearbox – and VTi 95.

In line with CITROËN’s environmental objectives

Because driving pleasure also has to be a responsible pleasure, the CITROËN DS3 was designed to for increased environmental respect. Its CO₂ emissions are fully in line with the environmental leadership and commitments of CITROËN. Over a combined cycle, the HDi DPFS versions all emit less than 115 g/km of CO₂ – with a model at 99 g/km – while the petrolpowered DS3s emit between 136 g/km and 160 g/km.

Looking beyond powerplant performance, these environmental results were achieved through a keen focus on keeping the DS3’s weight down, with designers looking at every possible source for mass reduction. This objective was factored in right from the start of the project:

• The specifications for Styling included architectural constraints targeting weight loss and safety, for example, the choice of a rectilinear rather than angled dashboard crossmember.
• This approach was supplemented by “part by part” analysis, with designers reducing the weight of parts with equivalent technological content.
• In addition, digital calculations were used across the board to define and test these parts (for stiffness, acoustics, etc.), optimising not just the mass but the technical quality of each component. For example, the rear suspension on the DS3 weighs 7 kilos less than the previous generation.

Combined with impressive aerodynamics (Cd 0.31), this weight loss also makes the car easier to handle and more responsive.

Taming the road so that only driving pleasure remains

Because it makes no compromises on passenger safety, the CITROËN DS3 is fitted with a particularly safe braking system, including a host of standardfit features such as ESP, ABS, electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD) and emergency brake assist (EBA). This equipment helps drivers in the most difficult situations, including loss of grip. Passive safety is also toplevel, with six airbags, threepoint seat belts and Isofix anchor points in the rear side seats all fitted as standard.
From the first trim level, the DS3 gets a range of driving aids, such as a cruise control/speed limiter and a gear change indicator that recommends gear changes to save on fuel and cut emissions.
The CITROËN DS3 also ships with MyWay navigation, a sophisticated audio and multimedia system with builtin colour navigation, an MP3 and WMAcompatible CD player and a Bluetooth^® handsfree kit.

Irreproachable reliability

DS3 designers set out to develop an irreproachably reliable vehicle. To that end, the DS3 is the first CITROËN project to fully benefit from a new development process that uses no prototype tooling, the idea being to create as early as possible a vehicle resembling the production model – rather than a prototype – along with the corresponding tooling. This approach results in significant gains in quality by involving at the earliest stage possible all the people working on the project, such as designers, suppliers and manufacturers. And it works so well that, for the DS3 project, the large majority of defects were processed well before the test drives, which will have covered some two million kilometres by launch.

In addition to this extremely robust design process, the new CITROËN C3 will benefit from production at PSA’s Poissy site, which complies with the Marque’s requirements on quality across the board. An ISO 9001certified production centre, it is equipped with the very latest in production tools and technology. It also benefits from the entire set of policies in PSA’s new production system and Lean Manufacturing, for optimised production quality and reduced customer lead times.

MAKING EVERYDAY LIFE A CHARM

The elegant supermini that surprises with its versatility

At 3.95 m long and 1.71 m wide, the DS3 is one of the most compact models in the segment. Its height, 1.46 m, gives the body styling a resolutely dynamic feel. And with a standardsetting turning circle of just 10.2 m to 10.4 m (depending on the tyres), the DS3 is highly manoeuvrable. All of which makes the newcomer a natural in its role as a stylish urban vehicle.

At the same time, the DS3 also sets a new segment standard on spaciousness, the result of remarkable work on architecture and interior design that makes it the first truly versatile compact coupé. As dynamic as it is compact and with equal measures of sportiness and practicality, the CITROËN DS3 has five real seats, all of which offer the roominess to be found in a compact hatchback, widthwise and lengthwise. Drivers can find a perfect driving position thanks to a steering wheel and seat adjustable for both height and reach. Leg room is generous in the front, thanks to the “raised” dashboard design, and in the back, with slim front seat backs providing plenty of room underneath.
Two types of front seat are available: “comfort” for the first trim levels and “dynamic” for even more body support. Meanwhile, back seat passengers get highly practical grab handles making it easy to get out of the cabin.

Boot dimensions also up the ante compared on the competition, with bestinclass volume at 285 litres. Boot space can be modularised with a 60:40 splitfold rear bench, which owners can fold down with one hand in a single movement. Stowage compartments are legion, with the biggest glove box in the segment (13 litres) and cubby holes on the central console and fascia. The DS3 makes everyday life that much easier.

A total sensory experience

Together with its design approach and choice of materials and trim, the CITROËN DS3 appeals to the senses of passengers with the most innovative technologies.

The allnew HiFi system is worthy of the latest in home sound systems, with impressive audio reproduction. Equipped with an additional, third speaker located in the middle of the upper dashboard and an amplified subwoofer in the boot, the new system brings passengers rich sound with impressive depth that faithfully reproduces the most extreme frequencies.
The DS3 benefits from toplevel acoustic treatment, for a velvetsmooth atmosphere on board. Soundproofing and noise absorption were carried out as close as possible to the sources of noise and vibration. Designers paid particular attention to the engine compartment and the doors, adding door sill joints and increasing the grampermetre count of sealing sheets to 200 (compared with a segment average of 90).

And for olfactory pleasure, the DS3 can ship with a scented airfreshener, fitted with a premium, chromefinished control.

A distinctive service

With the CITROËN FREEDRIVE offering, introduced for the DS3, the idea of customer service assumes its full meaning.

First of all, customers get guaranteed peace of mind, with CITROËN handling all vehicle maintenance and servicing and proposing added extras such as integral car cleaning.

In addition, CITROËN FREEDRIVE aims to keep drivers mobile at all times. If their vehicle is immobilised, customers are provided with the most appropriate means of transport. They also benefit from a replacement vehicle when they
take their vehicle in for servicing.