Island Life Magazine Ltd June/July 2011 | Page 73

MOTORING Citroen stands out It’s a small car with a big personality. The Citroen DS3 has been designed to stand out from the crowd –and it certainly does just that. I had the pleasure of test driving the new model, thanks to Citroen’s Central Garage in Newport, and it was great fun. The engine was a lively 1.6 diesel THP with 150bhp and a 0-62mph time of 7.3 seconds, while giving out 155 g/km of CO2 emissions. It also boasts about 45mpg. On first glimpse it was hard not to immediately think it had a few boy racer tendencies, with black alloy wheels and black and yellow paintwork, but those thoughts soon disappeared. In the DS3, Citroen has designed a powerful and sporty hatchback with looks that will grab your attention. TEST DRIVEN ON THE ISLAND By Peter White Inside the cabin, there is a lot more space than you imagine. The seats hug you when you sit in and the driving position can be easily adjusted to suit. It is a comfortable car and there is plenty of room in the back to sit two adults. The dials are striking and it has a host of features including radio/cd player, front fog lights, electric door mirrors, a gear efficiency indicator, air conditioning plus much more. There are several different options available and you can tweak it how you like with a range of extras. The modern seat upholstery design is available in a variety of coloured fabrics and leather and even the gear knob can be tailored in five different trims, while the car’s paintwork can also be decided. The DS3 handles with class and holds the corners superbly while delivering a smooth ride. And when you need to put your foot down it responds with some smart acceleration. We all know that sometimes looks can be deceptive and I think with the amount of options available to tailor the DS3, anyone can find their perfect blend and be proud to own this stylish hatch. Central Garage TEL: 01983 526541 www.centralnewport.citroen.co.uk www.visitislandlife.com 73