Upgraded DS 3 revealed in Paris

The DS brand will receive a shot in the arm late in 2016 with the arrival of an updated DS 3 model, to sell through local Citroen dealers.

Revealed overnight at the famous Parisian landmark, the Louvre, the DS 3 has scored a 1.2-litre turbocharged engine matched to a six-speed Aisin automatic transmission for both hatch and Cabrio variants. The new drivetrain combo is already well established in other PSA models, including the Citroen C4.

PSA Peugeot Citroen's local distributor advises that the DS 3 will continue to offer the existing 1.6-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder with manual transmission, and the new drivetrain combination will complement that. In the C4 for Australia, this engine develops 96kW and 230Nm. According to PSA, the DS 3 with the same engine and transmission will use fuel at the rate of 4.6L/100km for the hatch, or 4.9 for the Cabrio.

Cosmetic changes across the DS 3 range include a new grille and revised LED/xenon combination headlights that reduce energy consumption by as much as 67 per cent on high beam. Buyers will be able to choose from as many as 78 body/roof colour combinations and up to three million interior trim and material combinations inside.

The upgraded DS 3 will be available with Apple CarPlay or MirrorLink for Android phones, featuring interactivity via a seven-inch colour touch screen that simplifies the dash layout by freeing the centre fascia of up to 20 buttons.

Effective up to 30km/h, a laser-based autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system will be introduced with the revised DS 3, the importer advises. The system can bring the car to a complete stop and hold it there for 1.5 seconds. Another active safety feature to be introduced with the upgraded DS 3is a 'pre-fill' function to prepare the braking system for an emergency stop by priming the hydraulic lines and brake pads to save "several hundred milliseconds". Other driver-assist features to trickle through to select DS 3 variants include front/rear parking sensors, a reversing camera and hill assist.

Not known at this stage is whether the DS 3 will also be offered to Australian consumers in its hot-shoe version, the 154kW/300Nm DS 3 Performance (pictured). Powered by a tweaked version of the 1.6-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder, the DS 3 Performance also gains a six-speed box with revised gear ratios for stronger acceleration. A Torsen differential takes care of drive and traction, and the DS 3 Performance has been lowered and fettled for improved cornering and braking.

The ride height is 15mm lower than the standard DS 3, and the track has been widened 26mm at the front and 14mm at the rear. Brake disc rotors measure 323mm width at the front and 249mm at the back. New styling elements for the DS 3 Performance include special twin tailpipes, carbon side mouldings, a new sill panel strip, and matte black wing extenders.

Inside the DS 3 Performance features leather and Alcantara upholstery for the seats, plus special embroidery. Different dress-up options will be available to order for the DS 3 Performance, which will be offered in two levels of trim.

"The DS 3 and DS 3 Cabrio Performance are the dynamic and distinctive versions of the new DS 3 and DS 3 Cabrio," says DS Product and Development Director, Eric Apode.

"These two exceptional cars head up the DS 3 whole range, featuring all the segment-leading qualities of the previous models but taking them to new, previously unattained levels. Powerful and refined they bring drivers incomparable at-the-wheel thrills and all new styling aimed at perfection, while retaining all the DNA of DS cars. For total peace of mind on board real and prestigious GT models."