Citroen lifts DS3 lid

Just as it said it would on Facebook, Citroen has revealed a new open-top version of its successful DS3 premium hatch ahead of its world debut at the Paris Motor Show on September 27 and its Australian and New Zealand release around October 2013.

Unlike most convertibles, the DS3 Cabrio follows the lead of Fiat’s 500C soft-top by featuring a sardine tin-style retractable fabric roof that effectively doubles as an extra-large sunroof but does not replace the car’s steel B or C-pillars.

As such, the open-top DS3 comes with the same MINI-style two-tone ‘floating’ roof, B-pillar ‘shark fin’ and LED daytime running lights as the DS3 hard-top, with which it shares its basic dimensions at 3950mm long, 1710mm wide and 1460mm high.

Citroen says the DS3 Cabrio is not just the only five-seater in its class, but also boasts the largest boot in the segment at 245 litres. The drop-top also offers the same cabin space as its donor vehicle, and even features 60/40-split folding rear seats.

Citroen also says the convertible DS3 offers similar interior sound-proofing and body rigidity to the hatchback version, while offering class-leading occupant and boot space, and adding just 25kg – about 25 per cent of the typical weight gain associated with most hard-top to soft-top conversions.

Unlike most convertibles, the folding fabric roof can be electrically opened at speeds of up to 120km/h, but it takes longer to open and close than most – 16 seconds. It can be opened to three positions: intermediate, horizontal and total.

Apart from offering al-fresco driving, the DS3 Cabrio will come with a unique 3D rear light signature, longer rear spoiler and original tailgate opening mechanism with circular action, and will be produced with three soft-top roof styles – black, Infinite blue and a DS-monogrammed design.

Inside, there is white LED ambient lighting on the ceiling-mounted console that houses the roof opening control, white lighting around the instrument cluster and automatic air-conditioning displays and new upholstery including Granit blue leather and Akinen weft available in Mistral (dark grey), Chic brown and Infinite blue.

Decors on the dashboard strip, air-vent surrounds and gearshift knob are also colour-coded to the body paint and soft-top. Six decors are available – grey, Brillant black, white, Carbotech, Infinite blue and Moondust grey.

No engine details have been revealed, but expect the newest Citroen cabrio to come with the DS3 hatchback’s 70kW/135Nm 1.4-litre and 115kW/240Nm 1.6-litre petrol engines. A 1.6-litre turbodiesel version of the hatch is also sold overseas.

Pricing will not be announced until Spring but, in line with the 500C’s price premium over the 500 hatch, expect the DS3 Cabrio to cost more than the existing DS5 hard-top, sales of which have more than doubled so far this year in Australia.

Citroen has sold 147 DS3s here to July this year, making it the French brand’s third best-seller here after the larger C4 hatch and mid-size C5. Since the release of the DS3 in 2010 in Europe, where it is also available in a number of limited-edition versions as well as the higher-performance DS3 Racing, the DS3 hatch has attracted more than 180,000 sales.

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