DS 3 Performance launched

Not a Citroen and not a Racing anymore, but it is still 210hp and yet another hot hatch to consider

Beyond its high price, limited colour choices and rather bizarre cabriolet version, the Citroen DS3 Racing was a decent little hot hatch. It was perhaps softer than expected from a car with a 'Racing' tag, but a little French fluidity down a British B-road is far from a bad character trait. It was also a stylish and very high quality little thing.

Whose idea was a black car in this studio?

Now the Citroen DS3 has gone, replaced by just a DS 3. The styling has been jazzed up inside and out plus there are trendy new specifications - anyone for a PureTech 82 Chic? - but the DS 3 we're interested in is the Performance.

It has the same 210hp 1.6-litre turbo as in the Racing, with 221lb ft also. Competitive figures for the class then, crammed as it is currently with the new Ibiza Cupra and Polo GTI, plus the now familiar 208 GTI, Renaultsport Clio and, you've guessed it, Fiesta ST.

As DS is apparently more interested in detailing the 'watchstrap' leather seats, the 'DS Connect Box' emergency assist and the 'eMyWay' nav, there are precious few additional details on the flagship. There is a Performance Black version available though, offering matt black paint for a £2K premium over the standard car.

Ah yes, the price. A DS 3 Performance can be ordered now from £20,495, putting it towards the most expensive end of the supermini hot hatch ranks. A Clio Trophy is costlier, as is the 208 GTI by Peugeot Sport, but the others are all available for less than £20K. Still, at least it isn't £23,100 like the Racing was, and there isn't a DS3 graphic in sight...