DS 3 Crossback
| Company type | Car model |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Predecessor | Citroën C3 Coupé (early designation) |
| Founded | January 2010 |
| Founder | Citroën (originally) |
| Headquarters | Paris , France |
| Products | Premium supermini cars, crossover SUVs, electric vehicles |
The DS 3—previously known as the Citroën DS3 and later the DS 3 Crossback—is a premium supermini originally manufactured by the French automaker Citroën, with its launch dating back to January 2010. Positioned beneath the DS 4 in the lineup, it was the inaugural entry-level vehicle under the DS upscale sub-brand (pronounced déesse, meaning goddess in French), which eventually evolved into the standalone brand DS Automobiles in 2016.
Initially available as a three-door supermini hatchback along with a convertible version between 2009 and 2019, the second generation transitioned into a five-door crossover SUV, marketed as the DS 3 Crossback from 2018 to 2022.
This model garnered notable accolades within the automotive sector, including being named "2010 Car of the Year" by Top Gear. It also achieved four straight victories as the leading supermini in the JD Power Satisfaction Survey UK and was recognized as the second most fuel-efficient supermini (Citroën DS3 1.6 e-HDi 115 Airdream: ) by What Car?. By 2013, it dominated Europe’s premium subcompact market segment with a commanding 40% share.
First generation (2009)
Originally conceived as a three-door variant of the second-generation Citroën C3, early development from 2007 reveals that this vehicle shared its front-end design with the C3 II but did not carry DS branding at that time. Its initial designation was Citroën C3 Coupé.
The Citroën DS3 made its first public appearance as the Citroën DS Inside concept during the 2009 Geneva Motor Show, which introduced both the DS sub-brand and a refreshed Citroën emblem. The production version, called Citroën DS3, was unveiled in August 2009 shortly after the release of the Citroën C3 II, although limited attention was given to their shared mechanical components.
In mid-2011, Citroën updated the DS3 lineup by launching a limited edition and adding a new paint option named brun Hickory. This increased customization possibilities to ten distinct colors—one of the model’s hallmark selling points. Buyers were able to personalize combinations of body paint, roof colors, and decals according to their tastes.
The DS3 also gained cultural exposure through product placement in Pixie Lott’s music video for "What Do You Take Me For," becoming the first automobile featured in a British music video.
A subtle facelift arrived in 2014, bringing engine upgrades and introducing Xenon-LED headlights on higher trim levels. The launch of BlueHDi diesel engines provided impressively low CO2 emissions of just 79g/km across two power outputs. A final facelift in 2016 removed all Citroën badging to coincide with DS Automobiles’ emergence as an independent brand.
DS3 Racing
The DS3 Racing variant, delivering 207 hp, debuted at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show as a street-legal version inspired by Citroën’s rally-spec DS3 R3. It achieves acceleration from zero to 62 mph in 6.5 seconds and reaches a maximum velocity of .
This edition was offered exclusively in two color schemes: white with grey detailing or black paired with orange accents. The DS3 Racing incorporates carbon fiber elements on components such as the front splitter, grille, wheel arches, rear diffuser, and prominently within its interior.
In October 2011, Citroën announced an increase in production numbers for this model from an initial target of 1,000 units to 2,400 units.
Between 2011 and 2016, the Citroën DS3 WRC represented Citroën in competition within the World Rally Championship under the Citroën World Rally Team.
DS3 Cabrio
Presented at the 2012 Paris Motor Show, the DS3 Cabrio entered the market in 2013.
This model is a fixed-profile convertible, maintaining its side panels while incorporating a retractable fabric roof, a design approach similar to vehicles such as the Fiat 500 and Nissan Figaro.
Matière Grise edition
Citroën introduced the "Matière Grise" limited edition, restricted to 750 units for Europe. It featured a matte grey exterior complemented by chrome accents on the mirrors, door trims, and tail light surrounds. Buyers could choose between a white or black roof, matched exclusively with 17″ alloy wheels in corresponding white or black finishes.
Facelift
In February 2016, DS Automobiles announced an updated version of the DS 3, coinciding with its emergence as an independent brand separate from Citroën. Debuted at the Geneva Motor Show, the refreshed model replaced Citroën badges with prominent DS logos on the front grille. The trim designations were revised from DSign, DStyle, and DSport to Chic, Elegance, and Prestige, with an additional Ultra Prestige level introduced.
The facelift brought redesigned front and rear aesthetics alongside a new range of PSA engines: 1.2-litre three-cylinder PureTech petrol units available in naturally aspirated 82 bhp and turbocharged variants producing 110 and 130 bhp; a 1.6-litre THP turbocharged petrol delivering 165 bhp; and 1.6-litre BlueHDi turbo diesel engines offering outputs of 100 and 120 bhp. The DS 3 Performance variant was launched featuring a 210 bhp THP engine capable of accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.5 seconds.
In June 2016, DS collaborated with luxury fashion and fragrance house Givenchy to release the DS 3 Givenchy Le MakeUp special edition. Limited to 500 units, this edition sported a matte white body paired with metallic purple roof and mirror caps, rose pink highlights on the dashboard, and included a make-up storage compartment within the central armrest. Powered by the PureTech 110 engine, it was offered with either manual or automatic transmission based on the Elegance trim level.
September 2016 saw the introduction of the DS Performance Line, which provided sportier exterior styling without altering mechanical specifications. Enhancements included glossy black alloy wheels, a contrasting black roof, exterior stripe decals, and interior colored stitching details.
Specifications
| Model | Year | Engine | Power | Torque | 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) |
Top speed | Transmission | Template:CO2 emission (g/km) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VTi 82 | 2012–present | 1199 cc I3 | 82 PS (60 kW; 81 hp) at 5,750 rpm | 118 N⋅m (87 lbf⋅ft) at 2,750 rpm | 14.2 s | 174 km/h (108 mph) | 5-speed manual | 104 |
| VTi 95 | 2009–2012 | 1397 cc I4 | 95 PS (70 kW; 94 hp) at 6,000 rpm | 135 N⋅m (100 lbf⋅ft) at 4,000 rpm | 10.6 s | 183 km/h (114 mph) | 134-136 | |
| PureTech 110 | 2015–present | 1199 cc I3 | 110 PS (81 kW; 108 hp) at 5,500 rpm | 205 N⋅m (151 lbf⋅ft) at 1,500 rpm | 9.6 s | 190 km/h (118 mph) | 104 | |
| 9.9 s | 188 km/h (117 mph) | 6-speed automatic | 108 | |||||
| PureTech 130 | 2016–present | 1199 cc I3 | 130 PS (96 kW; 128 hp) at 5,500 rpm | 230 N⋅m (170 lbf⋅ft) at 1,750 rpm | 8.9 s | 204 km/h (127 mph) | 6-speed manual | 105 |
| Model | Year | Engine | Power | Torque | Template:Cvt 0 | Top speed | Transmission | Template:CO2 emission (g/km) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model | Year | Engine | Power | Torque | [convert: needs another number] | Top speed | Transmission | Template:CO2 emission (g/km) |
Sales and production
| Year | Global Production | Global Sales | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 1,700 | 500 | |
| 2010 | 68,400 | 64,500 | |
| 2011 | 77,169 | 78,375 | +21.5% |
| 2012 | 68,800 | 68,248 | -13.0% |
| 2013 | 68,200 | 69,014 | +1.0% |
| 2014 | 57,042 | -17.3% | |
| 2015 | 48,698 | -14.6% | |
| 2016 | 40,653 | -16.5% | |
| 2017 | 28,971 | -28.7% | |
| 2018 | 16,187 | -44.1% | |
| 2019 | 5,049 | -68.8% |
Second generation (D34) (2018)
Introduced on 13 September 2018 and unveiled at the 2018 Paris Motor Show, the second-generation DS 3 preserved hallmark features such as the floating roof and partial B-pillar. This iteration evolved into a 5-door DS 3 Crossback crossover SUV. It marks the first DS model to utilize the PSA EMP1 platform, which it shares with the Peugeot 208. The range encompasses petrol and diesel powertrains as well as a fully electric "E-Tense" version.
The E-Tense electric model gained market acceptance quickly; by January 2020, monthly sales exceeded 700 units in prominent regions including France, Germany, Norway, and the Netherlands, indicating rising interest in premium electric subcompact SUVs.
Facelift
Revealed on 26 September 2022 during Paris Fashion Week, the facelift restored the model's name to DS 3 (marketed as New DS 3).
The front grille received a fresh design featuring a glossy black finish accented with subtle chrome-diamond tips. The DS Wings now seamlessly link the grille to the headlamps, which have been updated with a more striking interior layout and larger LED elements—each side of the front is flanked by two vertical LED strips.
The E-Tense variant was enhanced with a 54kWh battery pack (50.8kWh usable), incorporating liquid cooling and a heat pump system. Charging capabilities include DC fast charging at 100 kW (reaching 80% charge in 25 minutes) and AC charging at 11 kW (full charge in 5 hours). The powertrain delivers and . According to DS, the WLTP combined driving range reaches up to 402 km, extending beyond 500 km in urban environments thanks to optimized motor efficiency, regenerative braking, advanced thermal management, energy-efficient LED lighting, and reduced ground clearance.
Engines
| Model | Displacement | Power, Torque/rpm | Acceleration 0–100 km/h (s) | Maximum Speed | Gearbox | CO2 Emissions (g/km) | Production Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.2 PureTech 100 Manual | 1,199 cubic centimetres (73.2 cu in) | 100 PS (74 kW) at 5500 rpm, 205 N⋅m (151 lbf⋅ft) at 1750 rpm | 10.9 | 180 km/h (110 mph) | 6-speed manual transmission | 105–113 | From 12/2018 onwards |
| 1.2 PureTech 130 Automatic | 130 PS (96 kW) at 5500 rpm, 230 N⋅m (170 lbf⋅ft) at 1750 rpm | 9.2 | 200 km/h (120 mph) | 8-speed automatic gearbox | 109–117 | From 12/2018 onwards | |
| 1.2 PureTech 155 Automatic | 155 PS (114 kW) at 5500 rpm, 240 N⋅m (180 lbf⋅ft) at 1750 rpm | 8.2 | 208 km/h (129 mph) | 114–121 | 12/2018 to 09/2022 |
| Model | Displacement | Power, Torque/rpm | Acceleration 0–100 km/h (s) | Maximum Speed | Gearbox | CO2 Emissions (g/km) | Production Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BlueHDi 100 Manual | 1,499 cubic centimetres (91.5 cu in) | 102 PS (75 kW) at 3500 rpm, 250 N⋅m (180 lbf⋅ft) at 1750 rpm | 11.4 | km/h}} | rowspan="2" |6-speed manual transmission | 97–100 | 12/2018 to 10/2020 |
| 'BlueHDi 110 Manual' | PS}} at 3750 rpm, {{cvt{250}|Nm}} at1750 rpm | '10.6 | km/h}} | '99–100 | '10/2020 to 09/2022 | ||
| 'BlueHDi130 Automatic' | PS}} at3750 rpm, {{cvt{300}|Nm}} at1750 rpm | '9.9 | km/h}} | '8-speed automatic transmission | '102 | 'From 12/2018 onwards |
| Battery Capacity | Power, Torque | Acceleration 0–100 km/h (s) | Maximum Speed | Transmission | Electric Driving Range (WLTP) | Production Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 kWh Lithium-Ion Battery | PS}}, {{cvt{260}|Nm}} | 8.7 | {{cvt{150}|km/h}} | 1-speed automatic transmission | km}} (Low) {{cvt{307}|km}} (High) | 03/2019 to 09/2022 |
| 54 kWh Lithium-Ion Battery | PS}}, {{cvt{260}|Nm}} | km}} | From 09/2022 onwards |