DS 3 Crossback

DS Automobiles, Groupe PSA's luxury car brand, expanded their SUV portfolio with the first-ever DS3 Crossback, an brand new luxury compact SUV that borrows some styling elements of the DS3, the forefather of the revival of the DS marque since the start of the decade, and while it was feared that it will serve as the replacement to the wonderful DS3 hatchback, there's nothing wonderful about having another French crossover in the fleet. As a matter of fact, what is it?

2019 DS 3 Crossback

Starting at 23,900 Euros plus tax and delivery, the first ever DS3 Crossback is a luxury compact crossover that appeals to every socialite in France with its DS3-inspired looks, unique interior, clever technology, and unquestionable performance fit for a French getaway, although not sure about the styling which is somewhat a DS3 taking a male-enhancing drug to make it look macho. In reality, this is like a Louis Vuitton purse full of protein bars, per se.

2019 DS 3 Crossback interior

In typical French quirky brillance, you got to admit that the exterior styling is very French indeed because if there's one thing to know about French cars, it's the styling that looks like it came out from a mosaic painting and the DS3 Crossback is no exception. Same goes to the interior, which is very French indeed for a luxury crossover. The air-conditioning, for instance, is diamond-shaped and that is very French like a mosaic painting on display at the Louvre and while it looks good in the beginning, some people with trypophobia will think that the interior will make their skins crawl and that's a given idea because the interior is not trypophobia-friendly, although the seats are about as comfortable as solving the Rubik's cube made of marshmallows. Now that's comfort, the French way, and the boot space wasn't bad either.

2019 DS 3 Crossback

The DS3 Crossback is powered by a choice of a 1.2L 3-cylinder PureTech and 1.5 BlueHDi, each mated to either a 6-speed manual or an 8-speed automatic, but if you are eco-conscious, there is a new E-Tense variant which has a 100 kW electric motor, 50kWh li-ion battery under the floor, regenerative braking system and deceleration system, and a new heat pump. The DS3 Crossback E-Tense can go from 0-100kph in 8.7 seconds and a limited top speed of 150kph, which is a tad slower than the 155PS 1.2L petrol but it promises an electric driving range of 340km on the WLTP cycle scale.

2019 DS 3 Crossback E-Tense

Although not exciting to drive as the outgoing DS3 hatchback, the DS3 Crossback is somewhat comfortable in luxury car levels and it's easy to get relaxed by the clever dynamics this crossover possess. It's no Citroen C3 Aircross per se but the DS3 Crossback really fits being a city-class car full stop with its healthy balance of quirky styling and decent performance that will soothe your brow all the way home.

There are safety features of course and the DS 3 Crossback comes with the DS DRIVE ASSIST, which regulates vehicle speeds, DS PARK PILOT, DS SMART ACCESS, and advanced safety tech worth noticing for the drivers. It feels like the future's already here with this crossover but in mixed ways.

It's easy to get mixed by the way the DS 3 Crossback looks and feels because of so many reasons to get to know about the crossover that might kill the hatchback in a heartbeat and while it sounds so painful to witness judging by the fact that we are living in an era where SUVs are superheroes on the road, the DS 3 Crossback is all business and leisure for anyone enjoying with it. Love it or hate it, the DS 3 Crossback is as French as it can get.

Photo: Groupe PSA

Forza Horizon 4: Double Winter Treats

If you managed to get the Hudson Hornet and the DS3 Racing through the last minute of the winter season of Forza Horizon 4, then congratulations. You finally get to keep those two machines that made a comeback in the world of Forza since their XBOX 360 years. They maybe long forgotten but here you are, finally got yourselves some remnants of Forza's glorious pasts.



Beginning with the Hudson Hornet, this machine raked 40 out of 48 wins because of its straight-six Twin-H power engine, making it truly an innovator and race champion. It even has a role in Disney-Pixar's cars as Doc Hudson.



Next up is the DS3 Racing and looks like we have a case of wrong car blues here because while Forza Horizon 4 introduced DS Automobiles for the first time, they brought in the wrong car to the range and this is basically a Citroen DS3 Racing and it was emerged by the time it was called the Citroen DS3 before it was called the DS Automobiles DS3 years later. Never mind about that but anyway, the DS3 Racing is the special limited edition model made in honor of its involvement in the World Rally Championship. Its specially-developed 1.6L THP engine produces 207hp of power and 275Nm of torque. It was extensively tuned by Citroen Racing to deliver motorsports knowhow to this hot hatch.





Now that we get to know about these prize cars, let's take these two cars for a spin round Britain to see what it's like on the winter wonderland.



These cars worked perfectly as they are meant to be but since I'm in a middle of my Fortune Island journey...





Let's hit the "one more" button on these two cars and see if the Hornet and the DS3 Racing have the guts to take on the Fortune Island challenge. Bring it on.


Fortune Island may be unforgiving but these two cars gave it a good show to the whole world to see.

Enjoy driving your two new additions to your Horizon garage!

DS Automobiles DS3 vs. Citroen C3 III

2017 DS 3

The hatchback that wa once called the Citroen DS3 is now called simply "DS 3" because DS Automobiles is now a brand in its own right and served as the luxury marque of Citroen, much like Genesis does for Hyundai, separating the men from the boys.

While it looks vaguely similar to the old Citroen DS3, the new DS3 features a new front face and a new rear design that tells you that this car is no longer a Citroen. It's now a DS because DS is now a brand and everyone should stick it to their heads in case if anyone calls it a Citroen and that is very wrong, especially if you're ready, willing, and able to spend 15,950 Euros (or an additional 4,050 Euros for the Cabrio model with a canvas top roof on it).

2017 DS 3 interior

Although the inside very remind you of the old DS3, back when it was called a Citroen, but for the new DS 3, you have so much you can toy around at your free time. One such example is the Mirror Screen compatibility for your iPhone and Android Phone and thanks to its upgraded software on its touchscreen, you have all the time in the world to check on how is your DS 3 doing right now. Because it came from the diminishing line of three-door hatchbacks, getting through the rear seats can be very problematic and stressful if you have mates joining with you for a night out on a town, if you know what I mean.

2017 DS 3

2017 DS 3 Cabrio

Depending on the bodystyle, the DS 3 offers a wide range of petrol and diesel engine choices but if you are sticking with the normal DS3, the most powerful they'll ever offer is a 1.6L turbocharged engine with 208ps of power output and mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox, resulting to 6.5 seconds of 0-100kph time and 230kph of top speed, almost similar to the old Citroen DS3 Racing would do, making it a luxury car with the soul of a hot hatch, especially when it comes with an array of safety tech.

The DS 3 has been with us for over half a decade and with this latest version, the new DS 3 by DS Automobiles still has the French chic and casual attitude as expected for a city car but between you and me, this new version feels a bit matured. It's no longer the DS 3 we are familiar with and it's no longer the DS 3 that propelled its rally car status to soaring heights. In fact, if I want a fun French car that is matured on its looks but not on its fun factor, there's a very good alternative to this now-matured DS 3.

2017 Citroen C3

This is the brand new Citroen C3. Starting at 12,950 Euros, this new model is the turning point for Citroen's lineup of affordable cars for all and by the looks of it, the Cactus-styled exterior means that the new C3 is ready for one trip to the mall after another. Best of all, it has five doors, meaning friends can't have a hassle to squeeze themselves through the rear seats and that is very good.

2017 Citroen C3 interior

Apart from its very generous spacing for such a Fiesta-sized car, there's one party piece that the new C3 had and this new car comes with a special dashcam that takes snapshots and then the driver can upload it on social media sites. Much better than showing an embarrassing viral dashcam video of a doofus driver on the road, or perhaps this new ConnectedCAM feature can do some weird dashcam videos like the ones you saw on the net. That is very savvy and very addictive. I like that.

2017 Citroen C3

Apart from the addictive features you can toy around, the new C3 comes with an array of new petrol and diesel engines to choose from. The most powerful is the one with the 1.2L PureTech petrol engine with 110PS of power and can be mated with either a six-speed automatic or a five-speed manual gearbox. Not that powerful by modern standards but it's nippy and cutting less cheeses than a fifth-grader feeling gassy in a classroom. Apart from that, the suspension has been improved to keep it comfortable and enjoyable to drive on the city streets. It maybe regular to drive but the urge to keep it driving for longer is what made the new model great, in my opinion.

2017 Citroen C3

In the end, looks like the new C3 is much more youthful and more enjoyable to own than the facelifted DS 3, and given to the fact that this should be the future rally car for Citroen Racing, looks like the racing pedigree has been revived and with this new model, expect such a strong following for this one because of the tech-savvy features that will keep them addicted for more. So, which would you prefer. If you're more of a socialite, go for the more matured DS 3 but if you're trendy, savvy, and young, best to go for the new C3.

Photo: PSA Peugeot Citroen

Citroen DS3 Cabrio

The Citroen DS3...It's been around for three years but the X Factor behind the beauty of the DS3 still never gets old these days. It's the glam that keeps the DS3 fashionable and because this is the best looking hatchback made by the French, I was starting to be fascinated by its looks and its subtlety. From what I'm thinking at, the comfort of the DS3 has the premium of an expensive luxury car and with such gadgetry, there's something that really amazed me. This is somewhat France's answer to Fiat 500 of some sorts and hey, Citroen's taking the page from its Fiat 500 rival by creating a Cabrio version of Citroen's most fashionable hatchback in the world...

2014 Citroen DS3 Cabrio

Hmmm....even when they said Cabrio, guess this isn't more of an open-top treat but as I may know, it comes with the stylish canvas roof that can be opened or closed in just 16 seconds. With the canvas top closed, it looks like the same DS3 but with the canvas top opened, this is a DS3 on a totally new level. However, there is one drawback about this cabrio model and even though Citroen didn't take away the roof off, the DS3 Cabrio weighs 25 kilos more than the normal model, probably because of structural reinforcements around the boot.

Despite being 25kg more, I am glad to say that whoever accidentally owned a Citroen C3 Pluriel, the one with the very complicating roof mechanism on that takes the owner minutes or hours to open or close it, might find solace on the DS3 Cabrio. That's good news though, I want this one more than the useless C3 Pluriel, that's for sure. Besides, unlike the Pluriel, the DS3 Cabrio's canvas top can be closed and opened at the touch of a button. You'll be glad to have one of these though...

In terms of engine choices, the DS3 Cabrio carries on with the VTi 120, THP 155, VTi 82, and the e-HDi 90 Airdream engine choices here and depending on the engine types, the driver may chose between a 5-speed manual, 6-speed manual, 4-speed automatic, and a 6-speed semi-automatic transmission. As for the pricing, it starts at 18,800 Euros, this is more pricey than the normal DS3 model but never mind about that, it's still one of the most stylish hatchbacks ever made with the canvas top on it that can be opened and closed  at the touch of the button though. In fact, I'm starting to like this poshier version of the hatchback that's already being the posh one. A DS3 is already posh but a DS3 with the canvas top on it is even more posh. It's what posh people want...metaphorically speaking...

Photo: PSA Peugeot Citroen

Welcome Back: 2011 Citroen DS3

Looks like the Citroen DS3 Racing,
but it's slightly modified...

This is my only favorite Citroen in Forza Motorsport 4, the stylish DS3. As a general rule, I love this kind of Citroen not only because of its style, but it's because how owners customize it to be very unique. We once say Forza 4 players tricked out their DS3 with their unique designs, especially when they're making mock-ups of Sebastien Loeb's DS3 WRC, DS3 R3, and the high-performance DS3 Racing, the one that was featured on an episode of Top Gear where Jeremy Clarkson drives one while James May is on a Renaultsport Clio (Lutecia) Cup and Richard Hammond on the Abarth 500C Esseesse (which turned out that it's not a hot hatch). They drove those from the labyrinth of Lucca to the bends of Monaco's Cote d'Azur.

Actually, Top Gear Magazine awarded the Citroen DS3 as the 2010 Car of the Year. Seriously, they did. Yeah...

Citroen DS3 - Forza 3 Owner's View

Citroen DS3 pushes out its Nurburgring talents

Are you the DS3 Racing?

Fair enough to be Sebastien Loeb's Rally Car

FINAL IMPRESSIONS: The term "Anti-Retro" clearly states that the Citroen DS3 is not your average modern hatchback that was designed and engineered in France. Upon its debut at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show and commenced sales since the 1st quarter of 2010, we weren't surprised that this new age hatchback is advanced and its first video game appearance on Forza Motorsport 3 via the World Class Car Pack is something we are salivating at...

Modify it with parts and decorations is a fun factor of DS3 ownership but a little practice goes a long long way. They want to make replicas of the DS3 Racing, DS3 R3, and Sebastien Loeb's DS3 Rally Car but accuracy is a tendency here and that takes to getting used to. Only the DS3 in Forza Motorsport 3 tastes like the DS3 in reality. If it doesn't say "ANTI-RETRO", it's not the Citroen DS3. (Laughing)

The different faces of the DS3...

2011 Citroen DS3

As a big fan of Citroen's hot hatch, the DS3, the first of the Citroen DS (Different Spirit) range, I love the way the DS3 behaves, especially I tried it on Forza Motorsport 3 (from the DLC and now the Ultimate Collection). Not only the DS3 is eco-friendly because of the diesel engine, this is truly a fun to drive hot hatch. I never realized that this anti-retro hot hatch has several faces on their own; two are for racing purposes and one is a very special one.

2011 Citroen DS3 Racing

Seen here is the Citroen DS3 Racing, the special modified version of the DS3, limited to just 1,000 units (not sure if its sold out already). This special DS3 comes with the 1.6 THP 200 engine, releasing a power output of just 202ps and it comes equipped with the six-speed manual transmission.

The coolest DS3 we wish to have...

2010 Citroen DS3 R3

2010 Citroen DS3 Rally Car Prototype

These two DS3 hatches are for racing purposes only (and every Forza 3 player who owned the DS3 can replicate these); first is the DS3 R3, this racing-spec DS3 is made for tarmac rally racing and suited under the FIA Group R3 regulations. The second is the DS3 all kitted up for next year's World Rally Championship with Loeb and Ogier piloting this... The DS3 will be the official Citroen Rally Car for next year's WRC, replacing the C4.

2011 Citroen DS3

The Citroen DS3 is an anti-retro hot hatch, and this is a perfect rally machine for the pros. I really really like the way the DS3 has been; fast, eco-friendly, and fun to drive!

Photo: PSA Peugeot Citroen

Citroen DS3

Citroen DS3

This is the real force created from Citroen. The DS3 is not your everyday sports compact coupé destined to rise against the competition. This sports compact 3-door is the first of Citroen's new DS (meaning Different Spirit)range, a new range providing a striking design, impressive performance, and a completely new level of packaging, giving the brand slogan "créative technologie" out with the figurative, and in with the literate.

This is how customers can clearly claim that it can attack the Mini Cooper S within a single look because the exterior of the DS3 has a stylish two-tone color that is similar to the Mini Cooper, especially the style language that Citroen used for their concept cars in past motor shows and other production cars, including the new C3 as well.

There is good news for those who want to buy the DS3; personalization is the best aspect for the DS3 because customers can choose their own color combinations of the DS3, both inside and out. When the customer is done choosing their own color combination, the customer gets a personalized car key accessory that matches the owner's car color. The DS3's personalization is mostly like Lexus LS's L-Select program for Japanese customers, as they say it.

Being a Low Emission Vehicle is not a hindrance for the DS3 because this sports compact is available at five selectable engines; three gasoline engines (VTi 95, VTi 120 and THP 150) co-developed by BMW, and two HDi diesel engines (90bhp or 110bhp) with Citroën's DPFS. (Diesel Particulate Filter System) A 4-speed automatic, a 5-speed, or a 6-speed manual transmission provides customers which transmission is best suited for the DS3's taste. Most think that the 6-speed manual transmission is their best bet for the job because it gives them a little zest to this car.

My thoughts about the DS3:
With Citroen's Different Spirit range appeared, the DS3 is truly their first offering to this new line-up. With all the customizations and the engine choices, this is surely to be the top of Citroen for this year. With the competition still hanging up, the DS3 will surely send the competition to their grave. Like they said "out with the old, and in with the new”, the DS3 is surely a real force destined to rid of something retro.



Photo: Citroen