OF the French car makers there can be no doubting that Citroën is the brand that has a history of creating new models that offer something just a bit different from the norm. As journalists we have enjoyed recent new Citroën model launches for the opportunity to describe any new innovations or design elements that this maker may have introduced, and loyal fans of the brand look forward to fresh opportunities to stand out from the crowd. The newest Citroën creation, the DS3, looks set to keep both scribes and the buying public happy with its blend of clever styling cues, vastly improved perceived build quality and a wide range of personalisation options. The DS3 Sport shares its engine with another hugely popular small car and, ironically, its biggest rival in this segment, the Mini Cooper S.
DESIGN & PACKAGING
Citroën DS3 Sport 18/20
Mini Cooper S 17/20
The DS3 represents the first in a new line of distinctive and exclusive offerings from Citroën, designed to complement the models upon which they are based. Using the recently launched C3 as a basis, the DS model features a number of new design ideas aimed at turning heads and bucking trends. Unlike the current Mini, whose retro design was always meant to hark back to the glory days of the original icon, Citroën has chosen to start afresh with its planning for a competitor in this segment. Although these design philosophies differ drastically, the idea of offering exclusivity and something just a little bit anti-establishment to owners is similar. Where Mini was the first to offer customisation options such as racing stripes, white wheels and roof decals, Citroën has taken this theme to the next level by offering up to four different colour options for the DS3’s “floating” roof (with decal choices that include zebra stripes), a wide range of wheel colours and a veritable shopping list of interior trim and customisation options, including up to seven different gear knob fi nishes.
It remains to be seen whether the quirky and fresh styling of the DS3 will still turn heads once the initial excitement has faded, something that the Mini has managed to achieve and build on, but Citroën is certainly off to a good start. The standard 17-inch alloy wheels, finished in white on our test unit, look fantastic – even if they do show up dirt quickly – and the combination of a “shark fi n” B-pillar and floating roof are refreshingly different from the norm. No doubt the next generation Mini will feature trendy LED daytime running lights, but until then we reckon the vertically mounted examples found at each corner of the DS3’s front bumper are the neatest and funkiest applications of this technology that we’ve seen to date.
COMFORT & FEATURES
Citroën DS3 Sport 17/20
Mini Cooper S 16/20
Parked alongside the Mini the Citroën is noticeably the larger vehicle and, while compact dimensions and a wheel-at-eachcorner design are hallmarks of the Mini’s dynamic prowess, in real world terms the DS3 has its iconic rival’s number when it comes to offering a practical and useable interior.
Citroën offers leather upholstery as standard fi tment to the DS3 Sport and, accessed through single action folding and sliding front seats – there is seating for three adults – in relative comfort – at the rear. This is something that cannot be said for the Mini, whose rear seats are only realistically suitable for children. Up front the DS3’s well-bolstered driver’s seat offers a good range of adjustment, including height, and this combines with a rake-and reach-adjustable steering wheel to, theoretically, enable the driver to settle on a close-to-ideal driving position. Most of our taller testers however would have preferred even more reach movement on the steering column and all commented that the lowest seat setting was still a tad too high. This point was further highlighted by the low-slung driving position offered by the Mini during our ride and drive evaluation.
For a company renowned for its quirky and innovative interior designs (including the fi xed centre steering wheel found on the C4 and C5 ranges), the DS3’s facia is somewhat conservative at fi rst sight, but perceived quality is good and, on closer inspection, there are some neat touches. The instrument cluster, for example, features a chrono-style centre speedometer with the “big hand” registering speed and the “little hand” displaying operating temperature. A number of small storage spaces are scattered around the cabin and the audio system incorporates Bluetooth, USB and aux-in functionality.
For comparative purposes we were lent a demo Mini Cooper S and were pleasantly surprised at just how well the interior’s quality had held fi rm despite the 52 000 kilometres registered on the car. Like it or loathe it, there can be no mistaking the Mini’s facia and switchgear layout and after some initial acclimatisation everything makes sense – well, kind of. Despite the faciamounted central speedo dial’s huge circumference, most drivers still instinctively use the digital speedometer readout housed in the steering columnmounted rev-counter.
The Citroën’s larger overall dimensions pay dividends once again when it comes to luggage capacity and, by comparison, the Mini comes up a little… well, short.
A total of six airbags are fitted in both cabins.
RIDE,HANDLING & BRAKES
Citroën DS3 Sport 17/20
Mini Cooper S 17/20
In its quest to develop a serious rival to the Mini, Citroën may have initially considered giving the DS3 Sport a similarly dynamic suspension set-up to the apex-hugging Cooper S, but instead has opted for a more comfortable overall package that can hold its own dynamically yet, more importantly, and is easy on the kidneys during everyday use. All testers commented that the DS3 Sport was a notably more comfortable car to drive on a daily basis, as opposed to the uncompromisingly sporty ride that the Cooper S offers.
Of course, the advantage of having this sporty set-up – is that, in the right hands, few cars, even of the exotic variety, can match the Mini’s well-documented kartlike handling prowess. Body roll is minimal and the well-weighted steering allows for pinpoint turnin and placement. If you’ve never driven a Mini in anger, though, you wouldn’t imagine that the DS3 could be shown a clean pair of heels on twisty roads. The softer suspension arrangement allows for notably more body roll than the Mini, but grip levels are high and even though the Citroën’s steering feels especially light and lifeless compared with the Mini’s, the DS3 still offers a healthy dose of “chuckable” appeal. ESP with traction control is a standard fitment. Interestingly, Citroën will run the DS3 in its forthcoming WRC rally championship programme.
ABS braking is standard fi tment to both vehicles and even though the DS3 has slightly smaller diameter ventilated discs up front and solid units at the rear, its average braking times were marginally better than those of the Mini.
PERFORMANCE
Citroën DS3 Sport 17/20
Mini Cooper S 18/20
Both cars make use of the same PSA Peugeot-Citroën-sourced 1,6-litre turbocharged petrol engine, though in different states of tune. In the DS3 Sport this engine offers 115 kW at 6 000 r/min, while the Cooper S gains 15 kW more power at 5 500 r/min. Both cars have 240 N.m of torque on hand but the Citroën delivers it 200 r/min lower down on the rev band, between 1 400 and 4 000 r/min. A six-speed manual transmission is also shared by both cars, though the gearing is unique to each.
Somewhat surprisingly, the larger DS3 Sport is actually marginally lighter than the Cooper S and this perhaps compensated for the differences in power between the two cars as the Citroën managed a best 0-100 km/h sprint time of 8,11 seconds, placing it hot on the heels of the Mini’s 8,07 seconds. It has to be said, though, that the Cooper S does feel the sprightlier of the two around town, perhaps aided by the low driving position and fi rm ride, but also thanks to a more precise and slick gearshift.
The Citroën has a top speed of 214 km/h and, for what it matters, the Cooper S is 11 km/h faster.
FUEL CONSUMPTION
Citroën DS3 Sport 16/20
Mini Cooper S 16/20
A fuel tank range of 600 kilometres should be achievable with both cars. The slightly less powerful Citroën has a combined fuel index of 8,04 litres/100 km and features a 48-litre fuel tank. The Mini Cooper S has a 50-litre tank and consumes 8,28 litres/ 100 km overall.
VALUE FOR MONEY
Citroën DS3 Sport 17/20
Mini Cooper S 16/20
DS3 noticed in this segment and, besides eye-catching paint fi nishes and zebra stripe roofs, the newest hot hatch is offered with a near full-house of standard features. At R255 000 the DS3 Sport is R25 000 cheaper than the Mini Cooper S. Included in this price are rear park sensors, climate control, electric windows, cruise control, auto headlights and windscreen wipers, and a 4 years/60 000 km service plan.
Some will question whether the Mini Cooper S has earned its premium pricing, especially given its shortcomings in terms of space and practicality, but what can’t be argued with is the fact that the Mini range remains hugely desirable and is backed by an effi cient and reliable dealership network. All of this has ensured that high re-sale values have been maintained and a loyal customer following established. Sadly, the same cannot be said for Citroën in this country, with, historically, many owners having had to settle for delayed parts availability and ever-sliding re-sale values from otherwise very desirable cars. We are assured that, with Citroen now “offi cially” here, there is revived enthusiasm and positivity from this brand in South Africa, so let’s hope that bridges haven’t been irreparably burned.
VERDICT
Citroën DS3 Sport 17/20
Mini Cooper S 17/20
Looking at the formula for the success that the Mini has enjoyed, we can deduce that purchasers in this segment are suckers for eye-catching looks and head-turning appeal. Add to this a catalogue of funky styling enhancement options for personalisation, the thrill of a spirited range of engine options, kart-like handing, a high quality interior and, fi nally, the backing of a motor company that is determined to ensure that its customers remain happy and loyal.
There is no doubt that the Citroën DS3 brings something fresh and distinctive to this market. Where Mini revived the idea of offering customers ways of personalising their vehicles, the DS3 has expanded on this, and then some. The engine range is a proven one and, though the Mini is quicker through the twisty bits, the DS3 provides greater comfort in all other, real-world, driving conditions. The Citroën offers greater practicality and the perceived levels of quality on our test unit were impressive. We’re of the opinion that the DS3 is certainly a worthy challenger to the Mini in nearly every department. Over to you then, Citroën South Africa…
