Today we see DS as a brand in its own right, but in 2009, when it was launched, it was linked to Citroën and marketed as the manufacturer’s premium line.
The first model to carry the new label was the 2010 Citroën DS3. This three-door supermini offered a variety of petrol and diesel engines and a range of trims. Personalization was a big part of its appeal (owners could specify different exterior and interior color combinations), with the Mini 3dr being its primary target.
On this point, the DSport version that interests us here uses the same 1.6-liter turbocharged petrol engine, developed by the PSA and BMW group, as the Mini Cooper. In the DSport, he made 154 horsepower compared to 121 horsepower in the Cooper.
Click here to buy your next used DS3 from Autocar
The Cooper was the car everyone wanted, but the DSport (despite its price tag, at £ 17,500) quickly found friends among those who appreciated its more spacious and well-equipped cabin, larger trunk, precise steering, Orderly and appealing handling, its smooth and precise manual gearbox and punchy engine (0-62 mph took 7.3 seconds).
It looked good too. The customization generated outrageous color combinations (e.g. yellow and black, and sky blue and white, each repeated inside on the fascia and seats), but the more conservative will be pleased to know that the understated versions in black and white are abundant. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a good deal, louder liveries seem to bring the prices down.
The DSport has 17-inch alloys, power windows and mirrors, dual-zone air conditioning and Bluetooth. In 2011, the DSport Plus arrived with more kit, including leather trims.
In 2014, the 1.6-liter engine was upgraded to 163 hp, but this did not result in any noticeable improvement in performance. Two years later, in 2016, DS became a stand-alone brand, so the model became the DS 3 DSport. By the end of the year he had been abandoned.
The DSport is really only hot, rather than hot, so those who want more thrills should look for the 204bhp DS3 Racing, launched in 2011 and aimed squarely at the Mini JCW. Equipped by Citroën Racing, it did 0-62 mph in 6.5 seconds. To keep it all in shape, it was 15mm lower and had a 30mm wider track than the DSport.
Used cars are scarce, but we tracked down a 2012 car with 52,000 miles, finished in orange and black, for £ 7,490.
Is Racing a future classic? Perhaps, considering its complete transformation in performance and the fact that there are so few of it (150 at last count). But before you take the plunge, know that if you do damage one, replacements for the carbon fiber splitter and other aero additives are expensive and virtually impossible to find.
With the creation of the DS brand, Racing became Performance, now with 207 hp. We found a 2016 one with 56,000 miles for £ 10,990.
More about this article: Read More
Source: www.autocar.co.uk
This notice was published: 2021-04-19 05:01:23
