The wraps have been lifted off the Citroën DS3 Cabrio prior to its official debut at the upcoming Paris Motor Show. Citroën claims that this drop-top will be the only 5-seater convertible in its segment and will offer a folding roof that can be operated at motorway speeds.
While the DS3 Cabrio retains the hatchback’s overall dimensions, it now features a Landaulet-style electrically folding canvas roof arrangement that opens/closes in 16 seconds and can be operated at speeds of up to 120 km/h. An electrically operated wind deflector pops up in place when the roof is folded back to prevent wind buffeting, while the canvas roof’s double-lined structure helps keep things quiet with the top up.
Like its hatchback sibling, the Citroën DS3 Cabrio is designed to be highly customisable with a choice of three roof colours; black, blue with tri-contrasting threading to give the impression of blue/violet hues at different angles and a DS-monogrammed design. Other design features include a 3D LED brakelamp design, a hatch opening similar to that of the standard model and a, sculpted, LED-studded front end.
Despite its open-top bearing, the Citroën DS3 cabriolet offers seating for five and what the company claims to be the largest boot in its segment, measuring 245 dm3 and retaining the hatchback’s 60:40 split-folding rear seat arrangement. Its structural composition is largely shared with that of the hatchback, helping to retain torsional rigidity and keeping the inevitable weight penalty that comes with open-top cars down to just 25 kg.
The cabin also gets a bit of visual sprucing up thanks to such features as ambient LED lighting in the roof panel, six different trim accents, white lighting around the centre console and new upholstery options that includes blue leather as well as cloth finishes in dark grey, blue and brown.
The DS3 Cabrio will arrive on the local market during the first quarter of 2013. The model line-up has yet to be confirmed.
