Not only is the new Citroen DS3 Cabrio an affordable convertible, but it’s one that sets out to challenge all perceptions of what a convertible is supposed to do and offer. This one comes with an unusual roof that doesn’t fully fold, as well as much more rest seat space than you’d expect from a cabriolet. Let’s take a closer look at what the new Citroen DS3 Cabrio offers.
Roof
Okay, the new Citroen DS3 Cabrio can’t really be termed a proper convertible. It’s roof has been described as a huge sunroof by some critics, though we’d argue that this snipe is a little unfair. It can’t do what a classic cabriolet can do, but when the roof is fully open you do get to feel kinda like you’re in a classic cabriolet. Moreover, buffeting is good, whilst, as always, rear viewing is pretty poor when the roof is down – but then again, rear parking sensors are standard across the range. And the 2015 Citroen DS3 Cabrio’s roof is also pretty snappy at opening and closing, ensuring that you get to open or close it in around 16 seconds to protect yourself from any sudden changes in the conditions.
The roof can be operated electrically via the overhead console. There are three settings to choose from: Intermediate, Horizontal, and Total. You can operate any of them at speeds of up to an impressive 75mph. The actual act of opening the roof is an event in itself, a virtuoso act straight out of circus, and when it’s complete, you’ll find a pop-up wind deflector that helps to keep the turbulence at bay.
Engines
The most popular engine with racier enthusiasts will be the THP 155 petrol unit, which can race to 62mph from rest in just 8.2 seconds. For more chilled-out folk, the 1.6-litre VTi with 4-speed automatic transmission will be a good option, whilst the base-level 1.2-litre VTi three pot petrol is another alternative that clambers to 62mph in 15 seconds. It’s not exactly the quickest, but with the new Citroen DS3 Cabrio, it’s all about what you want to get out of it. Do you want speed or laid-back vibes? There is also a solitary diesel on offer, the 1.6-litre eHDi that gets to 62mph from rest in 12.5 seconds.
Spacious Convertible
The new Citroen DS3 Cabrio looks very much like the fixed-top DS3 variant, with little giving away the fact that this is a convertible – unless the roof is open, obviously. This means it looks smart and sleek, and retains the B-pillar and two-tone roof of its stablemate. Inside, even when the roof is down there is enough space in the rear for people to sit. The boot is also impressive, with a cool 245-litres of space on offer. If you fold the rear seats, you get 980-litres. Indeed, space is so impressive in the new Citroen DS3 Cabrio that it’s one of a handful of convertibles that can accommodate 3 adults in the rear seats.
Facts and Figures
The Citroen DS3 Cabrio price range starts out from around £15,000 and rises to about £20,000, which means it costs around £2,4000 more than its fixed-top stablemate. If you decide the 1.2-litre VTi petrol is not for you, but instead prefer the 1.6 VTi, you’ll need to pay a premium of £2,400 to make the jump. Standard equipment across the range includes front fog lamps, dark tinted rear windows, rear parking sensors, sports suspension and 3D LED rear lights. Running costs are overall good, with the diesel offering up the best numbers – 57.6mpg whilst emitting 112g/km of CO2.
Final Thoughts
It’s hard to justify owning a convertible in the UK, simply because the weather is so awful for much of the year. If a convertible is the only car you own, how do you bat away questions such as, “but what about rear space? Where are all your friends and family supposed to go? What about space? And what about this ridiculously slow moving roof? What happens during a sudden downpour?” All these questions can easily be answered if you own a 2015 Citroen DS3 Cabrio. It can accommodate 3 adults in the back, offers oodles of boot space, and a snappy roof that will close in double quick time in case of a storm. This is a practical convertible.
If you want to get hold of the new Citroen DS3 Cabrio don’t hesitate to leave us a message on our contact page, or give us a call on 01903 538835 to find out more about our Citroen lease deals.JTNDJTIxLS1IdWJTcG90JTIwQ2FsbC10by1BY3Rpb24lMjBDb2RlJTIwLS0lM0UlMEElM0NzcGFuJTIwY2xhc3MlM0QlMjJocy1jdGEtd3JhcHBlciUyMiUyMGlkJTNEJTIyaHMtY3RhLXdyYXBwZXItNThjNDkxNzQtZmU1OC00ZDQ3LTg0MDItNjhlNTJlMTkwZDJhJTIyJTNFJTBBJTIwJTIwJTIwJTIwJTNDc3BhbiUyMGNsYXNzJTNEJTIyaHMtY3RhLW5vZGUlMjBocy1jdGEtNThjNDkxNzQtZmU1OC00ZDQ3LTg0MDItNjhlNTJlMTkwZDJhJTIyJTIwaWQlM0QlMjJocy1jdGEtNThjNDkxNzQtZmU1OC00ZDQ3LTg0MDItNjhlNTJlMTkwZDJhJTIyJTNFJTBBJTIwJTIwJTIwJTIwJTIwJTIwJTIwJTIwJTNDJTIxLS0lNUJpZiUyMGx0ZSUyMElFJTIwOCU1RCUzRSUzQ2RpdiUyMGlkJTNEJTIyaHMtY3RhLWllLWVsZW1lbnQlMjIlM0UlM0MlMkZkaXYlM0UlM0MlMjElNUJlbmRpZiU1RC0tJTNFJTBBJTIwJTIwJTIwJTIwJTIwJTIwJTIwJTIwJTNDYSUyMGhyZWYlM0QlMjJodHRwJTNBJTJGJTJGY3RhLXJlZGlyZWN0Lmh1YnNwb3QuY29tJTJGY3RhJTJGcmVkaXJlY3QlMkYyMzgxNDkyJTJGNThjNDkxNzQtZmU1OC00ZDQ3LTg0MDItNjhlNTJlMTkwZDJhJTIyJTIwJTNFJTNDaW1nJTIwY2xhc3MlM0QlMjJocy1jdGEtaW1nJTIyJTIwaWQlM0QlMjJocy1jdGEtaW1nLTU4YzQ5MTc0LWZlNTgtNGQ0Ny04NDAyLTY4ZTUyZTE5MGQyYSUyMiUyMHN0eWxlJTNEJTIyYm9yZGVyLXdpZHRoJTNBMHB4JTNCJTIyJTIwaGVpZ2h0JTNEJTIyMTAwJTIyJTIwd2lkdGglM0QlMjI4MDAlMjIlMjBzcmMlM0QlMjJodHRwcyUzQSUyRiUyRm5vLWNhY2hlLmh1YnNwb3QuY29tJTJGY3RhJTJGZGVmYXVsdCUyRjIzODE0OTIlMkY1OGM0OTE3NC1mZTU4LTRkNDctODQwMi02OGU1MmUxOTBkMmEucG5nJTIyJTIwJTIwYWx0JTNEJTIyTmV3JTIwQ2FsbC10by1hY3Rpb24lMjIlMkYlM0UlM0MlMkZhJTNFJTBBJTIwJTIwJTIwJTIwJTNDJTJGc3BhbiUzRSUwQSUyMCUyMCUyMCUyMCUzQ3NjcmlwdCUyMGNoYXJzZXQlM0QlMjJ1dGYtOCUyMiUyMHNyYyUzRCUyMmh0dHBzJTNBJTJGJTJGanMuaHNjdGEubmV0JTJGY3RhJTJGY3VycmVudC5qcyUyMiUzRSUzQyUyRnNjcmlwdCUzRSUwQSUyMCUyMCUyMCUyMCUzQ3NjcmlwdCUyMHR5cGUlM0QlMjJ0ZXh0JTJGamF2YXNjcmlwdCUyMiUzRSUwQSUyMCUyMCUyMCUyMCUyMCUyMCUyMCUyMGhic3B0LmN0YS5sb2FkJTI4MjM4MTQ5MiUyQyUyMCUyNzU4YzQ5MTc0LWZlNTgtNGQ0Ny04NDAyLTY4ZTUyZTE5MGQyYSUyNyUyQyUyMCU3QiU3RCUyOSUzQiUwQSUyMCUyMCUyMCUyMCUzQyUyRnNjcmlwdCUzRSUwQSUzQyUyRnNwYW4lM0UlMEElM0MlMjEtLSUyMGVuZCUyMEh1YlNwb3QlMjBDYWxsLXRvLUFjdGlvbiUyMENvZGUlMjAtLSUzRSUwQQ==
