Citroën DS3 1.6 THP (115 kVt) Sport Chic
Content
So from this point of view, expectations are always high, but this time Citroën has already set in advance: the DS3 was designed and built according to new standards that deviated greatly from the latest Citroën standards and thus indicated a new, different direction for development. ... automotive design.
DS3's advertising slogan is eloquent: antiretro. So: don't expect a car to be what Citroëns has been until now, or what you can imagine Citroën. In addition, the DS3 is technically superior and attractive.
As practice shows, most of the success will be brought by its appearance; we didn’t meet anyone who thought it wasn’t well designed, but we did have a lot of people who were in awe of it. And we without hesitation join this in the editorial board of the Auto magazine. The combination of length, width, height, main characteristics and design details seems right and neat in the end.
The buyer is left with only a choice of color, including the two-tone exterior option, and there is no need to choose one unless someone above the white base and blue roof (and exterior mirrors) is very enthusiastic.
Even more impressive is the quality of the design and body structure. - and the interior. We've seen something similar with the latest Citroëns (starting with the C4), but the DS3 has risen to a level close to expensive cars. Well, otherwise the DS3 isn't a cheap machine anymore (check it out), but at this point the link between quality and price is still inevitable.
I say car. And for some reason. It is still not possible to fill a liter bottle with more than a liter of liquid, and as long as that is the case, there will also be small cars inside – small ones.
But that doesn't mean front passengers are bad; They have plenty of room in all directions, and if we add good ergonomics, a good audio system (with excellent traditional steering wheel controls with USB and AUX inputs and of course for reading mp3 files), practical inner drawers (even the rear passengers have half-liter bottles or canning space is effective) and the simplicity of living in a pleasant atmosphere, such a DS3 undoubtedly seems to be a car that unconditionally demonstrates the modernity of modern vehicles. In short: it is pleasant in it.
The situation is slightly less in the rear seat, where there are only two seats (although there are three seat belts and three head restraints), but they lack space both in length (knee-length) and in height. Well, the good side of the rear bench seat are the handlebars on the B-pillars, which provide effective support as the DS3 moves through corners.
A detailed look also reveals some weak points. First, there is also a concern here, i.e. a right exterior mirror that does not move far enough to the left. Also, the designers forgot about the impracticality of long doors, which cannot be avoided, but could be mitigated if instead of one “knee” when opening the door, they were given at least two - so as not to hurt neighboring cars in parking lots.
However, perhaps the most striking drawback of the interior is modest lighting, as passengers can only rely on three lamps in the center of the ceiling. Also, the automatic movement of the right side window or folding the rear seat seat probably won't bother anyone, and the way to turn on and (especially) turn off the automatic wipers (which excludes the possibility of quick wiping) is inconvenient, but probably in many ways tasteful.
On the other hand, the DS3 has a transparent (group) on-board computer on which we can track three data at the same time (three different displays), and a generally good information system. There are no modern digital functions, but they are useful or well controlled with meters, screens and indicator lights.
Even a quick glance at engine performance suggests that that such a DS3 is a sports car. It all starts with a key, which is not a special design achievement (although I would like to), and even less ergonomics, and the engine starts, in which there are no bad characteristics. Works instantly, while working quietly and quietly.
In fact, we would expect a little more (sporty) noise from it, but it seems that in general it wants to satisfy a wide variety of tastes. The sound is pleasant and unobtrusive, the measured decibels are low, and judging by the color and the blindfold, the electric motor could also show some fantasy during acceleration - in harmony with the rest of the drive.
In third gear (out of six) it spins easily and quickly to the ignition breakpoint at 6.500 rpm, which means about 170 kilometers per hour on the scale, and in fourth gear it also spins easily, but a little slower to the same point.
Interestingly, the red rectangle on the tachometer starts much earlier, at 6.100. Well, its cornering readiness and performance, even in terms of weight and body aerodynamics, never disappoint the driver. Achieving 200 or more kilometers per hour is not a major driving or a project that requires a significant amount of time.
The described, however, fortunately receives constant support from other mechanics. Transmission, for example, it can be fast and the lever movements are short and with excellent feedback when shifting into gear. There is also a great feeling under the front wheels (via the steering gear and steering wheel) of how much and where the tire starts to slip when a physical boundary appears where the tire makes contact with the ground.
Extreme straightness and precision can be attributed to the entire steering mechanism, and therefore to sportiness, but it is too soft or, more precisely, in all aspects of sporty driving, it allows too little resistance.
An extreme case is when the driver wants to shift from fifth to sixth gear in a fast corner, and even a slight movement of the ring as the right hand reaches for the shift lever causes the car to veer undesirably from the desired path. Uncomfortable and at this speed (in fifth gear at the moment of shifting to sixth) is also a little dangerous if the driver is ignorant.
Fortunately, the case described above is extremely rare, and, statistically speaking, in 99 percent of cases, such a motorized DS99 is excellent, flawless and, above all, safe. We touched on the chapter on traffic conditions, which in this case is neutral "funny". Only when braking hard in a fast corner does it move back a bit, just enough to be used to quickly control a fast corner.
Despite its laconic style, the DS3 is comfortably calm in long corners and sporty in short corners. And because Citroën knows that a sporty car means that it can have a strong influence on the driver's driving, they have given it a switchable ESP system. In most cases, it is not necessary to turn it off, since it is inactive for a long time due to its good position and movement, but in some places the feeling that you can turn off the security is good.
If perhaps it wasn't written clearly enough: this DS3 is a car that demands fast, dynamic, sporty driving. However, the engine is pleased with the surprisingly low amount of fuel. At steady speed, the on-board computer reports that the engine consumes 100, 6, 2, 5, 3, 5 and 0 liters per 4 kilometers at a speed of 9 kilometers per hour in third, fourth, fifth and sixth gears.
At a speed of 130 kilometers per hour, it consumes 8, 5, 7, 2, 7, 0 and 6, 8, for 160 though (without third gear, of course) 10, 2, 9, 0 and 8, 9 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers. Moderate figures for a gasoline turbo engine. But the best is yet to come: if you take the GHD route and become a racer, the thrust ends with just under 14 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers. And we're talking about racing mode.
In the previous generation, it was called C2, given the technique and shape of the case, and rightly decided to radically change the name. It is not just an image that undoubtedly stands out prominently; There is a big leap between the two cars in every respect, from exterior (exterior and interior), design, materials and workmanship to drive mechanics and performance, perhaps two will be preferred. And this is undoubtedly a good sign. For Citroën, and even more so for customers.
Vinko Kernc, photo: Aleš Pavletič
Citroën DS3 1.6 THP (115 kVt) Sport Chic
Basic data
| Sales: | Citroën Slovenia |
|---|---|
| Base model price: | 18.300 € |
| Test model cost: | 19.960 € |
| Calculate the cost of auto insurance | |
| Power: | 115kW (156 KM) |
| Acceleration (0-100 km / h): | 7,3 with |
| Maximum speed: | 214 km / h |
| Mixed flow ECE: | 6,7l / 100km |
Technical information
| engine: | 4-cylinder - 4-stroke - in-line - turbocharged petrol - front-mounted transverse - displacement 1.598 cm? – maximum power 115 kW (156 hp) at 6.000 rpm – maximum torque 240 Nm at 1.400-4.000 rpm. |
|---|---|
| Energy transfer: | front wheel drive engine - 6-speed manual transmission - tires 205/45 / R17 V (Bridgestone Potenza RE050A). |
| Capacity: | top speed 214 km / h - acceleration 0-100 km / h 7,3 - fuel consumption (ECE) 9,4 / 5,1 / 6,7 l / 100 km, CO2 emissions 155 g / km. |
| Transportation and suspension: | limousine - 3 doors, 5 seats - self-supporting body - front single wishbones, spring struts, double wishbones, stabilizer - rear axle shaft, coil springs, telescopic shock absorbers, stabilizer - front disc brakes (forced cooling), rear disc 10,7 - ass 50 m – fuel tank XNUMX l. |
| Mass: | empty vehicle 1.165 kg - permissible gross weight 1.597 kg. |
| Box: | Trunk volume measured using AM standard set of 5 Samsonite suitcases (total 278,5 L): 5 places: 1 backpack (20 L); 1 × aviation suitcase (36 l); 1 suitcase (68,5 l) |
Our measurements
| T = 16 ° C / p = 1.030 mbar / rel. vl. = 42% / Mileage condition: 2.567 km | |
| Acceleration 0-100km: | 7,4s |
|---|---|
| 402m from the city: | 15,7 years ( 147 km / h) |
| Flexibility 50-90km / h: | 6,3 / 9,3s |
| Flexibility 80-120km / h: | 9,0 / 11,3s |
| Maximum speed: | 214km / h (WE.) |
| Minimum consumption: | 8,6l / 100km |
| Maximum consumption: | 12,2l / 100km |
| test consumption: | 10,4 l / 100km |
| Braking distance at 100 km / h: | 38,0m |
| AM table: | 40m |
| Noise at 50 km / h in 3rd gear | 56dB |
| Noise at 50 km / h in 4rd gear | 55dB |
| Noise at 50 km / h in 5rd gear | 54dB |
| Noise at 50 km / h in 6rd gear | 54dB |
| Noise at 90 km / h in 3rd gear | 64dB |
| Noise at 90 km / h in 4rd gear | 62dB |
| Noise at 90 km / h in 5rd gear | 60dB |
| Noise at 90 km / h in 6rd gear | 60dB |
| Noise at 130 km / h in 4rd gear | 65dB |
| Noise at 130 km / h in 5rd gear | 64dB |
| Noise at 130 km / h in 6rd gear | 63dB |
| Idling noise: | 38dB |
| Test errors: | unmistakable |
Overall rating (317/420)
Car for one, for two, conventionally for three. Most of all he will like sports with his soul and right foot, as he playfully "races".
Exterior (13/15)
While not your typical Citroën outwardly opening a new chapter in the brand's design philosophy, it is very attractive.
Interior (91/140)
There may not be much (flex) space in a small car, but at least the front is spacious and comfortable.
Engine, transmission (55
/ 40)Excellent mechanics! This model is also considered the sportiest (smallest) car.
Driving performance (58
/ 95)It's lightweight for the average driver and great for the demanding driver.
Performance (22/35)
A good example of a small, powerful sports car.
Security (41/45)
At the moment, we cannot expect more from a car in this class.
Economy
Despite the high engine power and heavy right leg, the fuel consumption is moderate.
We praise and reproach
appearance
design quality, workmanship
materials
general impression of the car
steering precision and straightness
engine, performance
Transmission
chassis, road position
switchable ESP
Equipment
place for small items and drinks
too strong power steering
interior lighting
turnkey fuel tank cap
poorly isolated paths
slide right outside mirror
only one “knee” when opening the door
back bench seat
cruise control works only from fourth gear
