Revised Citroen DS 3 on sale in February: Facelifted version offers choices, choices and more choices

Word from inside the company suggests that it’ll be a little pricier than before

The Citroen DS 3 was launched four years ago, and here’s the facelift. In between times, it’s morphed from being a Citroen to being just a DS, which is a pretty big change to go through – even if it stayed the same car underneath.

Now at least it’ll be the same only different. A new range of engines sees to that; they include a 205bhp, 221lb ft 1.6 petrol, which you’ll find in the specially tweaked-up Performance model.

This also has a close-ratio manual box, Brembo brakes and a limited-slip diff to go with a stance that’s both wider and lower. It has the styling to match, naturally – though given the barely believable choice of colour options with which you can personalise your DS 3, there’ll be no such thing as a bland one.

Barely believable? Seriously, yes. How does more than three million possible combinations sound?

At the other end of the engine scale from the Performance model is the BlueHDi 100 unit. This is the eco hero of the range, with just 87g/km to its name.

Further choices include 1.2-litre three-pot petrols with a choice of 81, 108 and 128bhp outputs. You can also have a 1.6 with 163bhp, or take your pick from a duo of turbo-diesels offering 99 and 118bhp.

The standard gearbox is the manual six-speeder found in the Performance model, but with its ratios spread out more traditionally. Should pressing a clutch not be for you, meanwhile, there’ll be an all-new auto option.

Available in hatchback and cabrio form, the DS 3 has also been restyled – though not so much that it loses the design cues which used to set it apart from everyday Citroens when it still was one.

It’s been updated inside, too, with a new multi-function 7” touch interface allowing the dash to be de-cluttered to an impressive degree.

Prices for the revised DS 3 will be revealed early in February, with sales beginning a few weeks later. Word from inside the company suggests that it’ll be a little pricier than before – but with an increase in kit that more than makes up for it.