Review of the new Citroen DS3 Black & White

Most people would almost certainly see Citroen's DS3 as a car with a radical personality. But for some buyers, radical is merely a good start. It's for these people that Citroen has lately created a couple of special editions, the DS3 Black and White.

Before we get into what makes these limited run models that bit different, time for a quick recap. The DS3 is a sporty little 3-door hatch that aims to take Citroen into the growing premium small car market where for so long, the MINI has reigned supreme. It's certainly a bold car with beautiful design touches. From that 'shark fin' B-pillar and the contrasting roof panel to the vertical strips of LED running lights that flank the front grille and the distinct sill line connecting the wheelarches, the DS3 is ferociously unconventional. It has the look of a concept car but Citroen has built it and you can buy it.

The Black and White special editions retain all that visual drama - and add to it, probably the most striking addition being the roof stripes. Both versions also feature chrome door mirrors, dark tinted rear windows and front foglights. Move inside and it's no less shocking. You may have never seen a white dashboard before - we hadn't - but there's one here along with white trim for the gearknob and trendy mood lighting and even a scented air freshener. More familiar touches include air conditioning, electric mirrors, cruise control with a speed limiter, front electric windows and a Gear Efficiency Indicator to tell you when to change up for best fuel consumption returns.

Go for the Black special edition variant and you can also expect to find 17" 'Bellone' white diamond-tipped alloy wheels with black centre caps, plus Obsidian Black (where do they get these names?) pearlescent paint and 'Mistral Rayados' cloth inside. Like all DS3s, these two models also feature central locking, a multi-function trip computer, a height and reach-adjustable leather-covered steering wheel, a 6-speaker CD stereo with steering wheel controls and a height-adjustable driver's seat.

Safety isn't optional either. Twin front, side and curtain airbags are standard, as is ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and Emergency Braking Assistance to maximise its effectiveness. Plus you get ESP stability control to help should you enter a corner too fast or be on a slippery surface.

Despite this extensive haul of kit, Citroen has worked hard to keep prices affordable for these two models, primarily by basing them around lowered-powered DS9 engines. So there's a choice between 90bhp 1.6-litre HDi diesel or 120bhp 1.6 VTi petrol units. Either way, you'll get standard sports suspension so you can enjoy them to the max.

"Few rivals can match the way this car balances comfort with a can-do attitude when it comes to attacking your favourite B-road.."

For a modern supermini, the DS3 is relatively compact. It's 3950mm long and 1710mm wide, which is similar to the Ford Fiesta, but Citroen has worked hard to maintain plenty of interior space. The manufacturer claims there's room for five adults with legroom in the rear enhanced by the slender backs of the driver and front passenger seats. In the tail, the boot is 285-litres which is large for the supermini class and 60:40 split rear seats give options for extending that capacity.

The design of the cabin sets out to reflect the cutting-edge exterior and there are upmarket materials in evidence throughout. The dashboard mirrors the contrasting roof and bodywork outside and the instruments are set into a trio of circular dials, in a motif that appears again in the round clusters of ventilation controls on the centre console.

Freed by its C3 supermini stablemate from the need to offer five-doors, the DS3 is relatively compact but because it's not forced to follow a retro styling theme, there's more space inside than any other fashionable little three-door can offer. Three adults that Citroen ambitiously claims could sit across the back seats would certainly need to be on friendly terms but at least their carriage is possible in a way that would be simply laughable to attempt in a MINI. MINI owners would also look enviously at the DS3's 285-litre boot, given that it's getting on for twice as big. Plus of course you can extend it by flipping forward the 60:40 split-folding rear bench.

So what's it like to drive? Well, you get in and settle into a sculpted seat that's set sporty and low. Ahead of you, the compact steering wheel feels just right and all the vital dials are set in a deeply-cowled, chrome-edged triple pod. Turn the key and both speedo and rev counter zip around their dials and return to zero. You're ready to go.

On the move, it's hard to believe that all the underpinnings of this car are basically borrowed from Citroen's conventional C3 supermini. The lower body and stiffer suspension set-up give this model a very different feel, as does the precisely-weighted electric power steering, offering assistance when you need it and plenty of road feel when you don't. The damping also offers the best of both worlds, making you aware of bumpy surfaces, but spiriting away the aftershock you could do without. It makes a MINI feel about as subtly sprung as a go-kart. Only the rather long-throw gearchange could be slicker.

Under the bonnet of these two Black and White models, there's pretty much the same engine-ware that you'll find in a MINI. The 1.6-litre VTi 120bhp petrol unit makes sixty from rest in 8.9s on the way to 118mph, whilst the 90bhp 1.6-litre HDi diesel manages 11.3s and 112mph. But plenty of small cars can match those performance figures. Few though, can match the way this car balances comfort with a can-do attitude when it comes to attacking your favourite B-road.

For enthusiasts, is the arguably the best car the Peugeot/Citroen group has produced since the glorious Peugeot 205 GTi and Citroen Saxo VTS hot hatches of the Nineties. But unlike those cars, you're not stuck with an awful din when you venture onto the highway thanks to clever soundproofing that promotes refinement but still lets you enjoy the engine.

Overall, there's little doubt that the DS3 is a tremendously likeable little car. For those seeking something even more overt, it'll be even more appealing in Black and White special edition guises. Shy and retiring types may want to look elsewhere but for bolder buyers who might otherwise have bought a MINI Cooper or an Alfa Romeo MiTo, this Citroen looks a good package.

TOP 5 DS3 DEALS

The results below show the top DS3 deals on buyacar

Citroen DS3 1.6 e-HDi Airdream DStyle 3dr [95g/km] diesel hatchback
Price £13,449 Read DS3 Reviews	Save £1,351
Citroen DS3 1.4 VTi 16V DSign 3dr hatchback
Price £11,610 Read DS3 Reviews	Save £980
Citroen DS3 1.6 e-HDi 110 Airdream DSport Plus 3dr hatchback special edition
Price £16,697 Read DS3 Reviews	Save £1,398
Citroen DS3 1.6 e-HDi 110 Airdream DSport 3dr diesel hatchback
Price £15,297 Read DS3 Reviews	Save £1,703
Citroen DS3 1.6 THP 16V 155 DSport Plus 3dr hatchback special edition
Price £16,538 Read DS3 Reviews	Save £1,347
VIEW MORE DISCOUNT DS3 DEALS