When DS was not yet jetting around as its own brand and delighting its customers under the Citroen signet, the French offered a very handsome opponent to the Mini Cooper S. The Citroen DS3, especially as a racing variant, definitely has what it takes to be a coveted performer. If you strike now, you can make a bargain.
If sporty, then also right. The Citroen DS3 is a thoroughly stylish compact class model, but those looking for a future classic should look to the DS3 Racing. Sure, the chic DS3 is also available with a slim 130 hp or as a more dedicated 155 hp turbo. Everything fits, but things really get going in the 207 hp Citroen DS3 Racing – at least in terms of marketing in 2013, the much-loved private vehicle of long-term rally world champion Sebastien Loeb. If you want it to be particularly classy, you can make it even more exclusive. But how big is the probability of getting one of the just 100 limited Citroen DS3 Cabrio Racing on the open market at the unit price of 38,490 euros at the time? It first attracted attention at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in the summer of 2013 and a little later at the IAA in Frankfurt and became a much-loved collector’s item.
Only 20 copies made it to Germany at the time. They were all available with the sonorous roaring 207 hp engine in the cool Moondark Matt finish, which cost an impressive 15,000 euros more than the normal DS3 convertible, which, based on the Fiat 500 model, was at best a Targa and not a real convertible , because the body frame remained open. The folding roof can be moved all the way back in several stages, in extreme cases right up to just above the trunk lid. The roof frames always remain on the left and right. More of a DS3 with a super sunroof. There is no such thing as a real convertible feeling with a clear all-round view. But the open-air feeling with built-in turbulence is always enough to permanently destroy any blow-dried hairstyle within minutes. So somehow then convertible again. And the open DS3 is always good for a limitless view of the sky.
The almost four meter long DS3 Cabrio Racing is powered by a 152 kW / 207 hp 1.6 liter petrol engine with direct injection and turbocharging. It wasn’t available for the normal DS3 convertible, but with practically the same driving performance as the closed DS3 1.6 THP 200. Both can be accelerated from 0 to 100 km/h within 6.5 seconds, both create a top speed of 235 km/h . The sprint feels subjectively as fast as it is objectively stated in the data sheets. The six gears slide precisely over short distances through the manual transmission – depending on your state of mind, you can cruise with the DS3 in a casual and easy-going convertible with lazy shifting or circling around the curves with speed and agility in racing. Only when accelerating do the 207 horses tugging at the front axle need a strong hand on the steering wheel. The engine responds willingly to the gas and if you gasp when entering the freeway or overtaking, then it’s certainly not the car’s fault.
The seats offer good lateral support, there is plenty of space at the front – the capacity of the trunk of 245 liters is still just under that of the Golf Cabrio of the time. However, anyone who can actually load the trunk with the top down – has qualified for admission to the magic school. The operation is simple and useful, the materials look as noble as one can expect for the price. Above, the dashboard is painted in the matte exterior color. The same applies to elements such as the central display. The trim strips on the steering wheel spokes and the surrounds on the instrument cluster have a carbon look, and the dashboard itself has a wide, sporty red stripe.
But driving fun with the normal Citroen DS3 is the same – open and closed. In terms of price, the French jester is a real temptation. With around 120,000 kilometers on the clock, well equipped from 2011/2012 it costs little more than 6,000 euros. Many also fall for the variant with black paint, orange roof and exclusive equipment and even then 10,000 euros are a long way off. A fair price for a real joker with French charm and real motorsport genes.
Source: Stern
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