Mini may soon have some very serious competition on its hands in the form of a new Citroen called the DS3. The new Citroen is set to bring back to life the DS badge that has
Mini may soon have some very serious competition on its hands in the form of a new Citroen called the DS3. The new Citroen is set to bring back to life the DS badge that has proven so successful in the past and set the standard for a whole new range from the French giant.
During a special event on the Champs-Elysée, Paris, to celebrate 90 years of Citroen, the news of the new DS was announced and met with great excitement. It outlined a new direction for Citroen that encompassed a new badge and an increased commitment to customer service. At the heart of the companies development will be a new range of premium Citroens that will carry the DS badge, the first of which will be the concept called the DS Inside.
Due to hit the roads in 2010 the DS Inside, or DS3, will offer car leasing customers a small prestige car that will compete with the Mini, forthcoming Audi A1 and the new MiTo from Alfa Romeo. Following on from the DS3 will be a C4-sized model called DS4, and a C5 flagship crossover to be badged the DS5.
The original DS launched back in 1995 was a very important Citroen that had great success and proved very popular. Citroen bosses will be looking to draw on that reputation with their new line- up, and carry across the legacy for style, luxury and innovation.
Originally the name DS was a French play on words aimed at symbolising 'Goddess' but now simply infers Different Spirit. So far, with only looks to go on, the DS Inside is a stunning vehicle that will certainly turn heads as car leasing customers drive past. With its contrasting white roof, chunky arches and chrome detailing, it really does look like a luxury car.
With specification scarce for the time being, we can expect to learn more during the Geneva Motor Show, when the DS Inside will make its début. But for the time being rumours circulate hinting that
the new line-up will not simply be re-badged C-models. They will have their own identity, but due to the current climate its only reasonable to expect that they will borrow heavily from next generation platforms, engines and drive-trains.
One thing though still remains, the DS was historically a great vehicle and to ensure that new models maintain previous standards will be no easy achievement.