Citroen debuts refreshed DS3

CITROEN'S facelifted DS3 hatch range has surfaced overnight, revealing a tweaked front-end design with high-tech headlights and a trio of new engines.

The refreshed DS3 is scheduled for an Australian showroom debut in the first quarter of next year – meaning specific local information will be made available closer to the launch.

The most obvious change to the DS3 is the inclusion of new headlights that combine LED and Xenon technology that Citroen says provides greater visibility, while being more “restful on the eye”.

Energy consumption of the new headlights is reduced by 35 per cent in low-beam and 75 per cent in high-beam mode when compared with the existing lights and offer a life time of more than 20,000 hours.

According to Citroen, the lights are inspired by the stunning Numero 9 and Wild Rubis concepts and feature independent modules that resemble diamonds as well as LED daytime running lights in the front air intake and sequential indicators.

In parts of Europe, the DS3 will be offered with a suite of new powertrains, including two new BlueHDi diesel engines that are more powerful and more fuel efficient than the units currently offered.

The BlueHDi 100 sips just 3.0 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres on the European cycle while emitting 79g/km of CO2, and the BlueHDi 120 consumes 3.6L/100km and emits 94g/km.

Citroen's new Euro 6 compliant PureTech petrol engine that sips 4.1L/100km features a clutchless five-speed Efficient Tronic Gearbox with a creep function and pedal mapping that adjusts the power for smoother start-up.

The updated DS3 gains an autonomous braking system that helps avoid low-speed collisions which can be activated at speeds of under 30km/h. It also features a reversing camera and the eMyWay sat-nav system.

In the cabin,the DS3 now features a laser engraved dashboard strip and screen printed rear window that the company says is a nod to the Parisian roots of the DS line. A new Pearlescent White body colour is available, as are new 17-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels.

Citroen Australia PR and communications manager Jaedene Hudson told GoAuto that local engine specifications and pricing are yet to be confirmed, but it is expected to carry a slight premium over the current model.

The range in Australia currently kicks off with the DStyle hatch from $27,740 before climbing to $32,990 for the DSport Cabrio.

The current DS3 hatch launched in September 2010 before the arrival of the Cabrio in August last year.

Citroen Australia has sold 44 DS3s this year to the end of April which is down by 57.3 per cent over the same period last year when it had sold 103 units.

Globally, Citroen said in a statement that 600,000 DS3s have sold since launch, with 66 per cent of those sales going to customers that are new to the brand.