Citroen DS Inside: full photos, analysis of new DS3

By Tim Pollard

First Official Pictures

29 May 2009 11:00

Citroen has shown off its new DS Inside concept in more detail – providing a glimpse at the company’s plans for its ‘near premium’ models. It’s our first view inside the DS’s cabin and more details are emerging of Citroen’s strategic move upmarket in 2010.

Although still officially a concept car, the DS Inside is virtually a carbon copy of the production DS3, the first of the new models named after the legendary 1950s déesse. The DS3 will be based on the new C3 supermini, which will be launched simultaneously at the 2009 Frankfurt motor show, but positioned a notch upmarket.

In the longer run, Citroen is planning a range of ‘near premium’ models. Each will be based on the mainstream hatch/saloon ranges, pointing to the following structure:

• DS3 – March 2010 (based on PF1, PSA's small car platform)
• DS4 – 2011 (based on PF2, PSA's medium car platform)
• DS5 – 2011 (based on PF3, PSA's large car platform, including a diesel-electric hybrid)

Think halfway between a Mini hatch and a Mini Clubman, and you won’t be far from the mark. Citroen is desperate to pitch the DS3 as a genuinely more upmarket car – and not merely a posh C3 with some chrome and leather slapped on.

Citroen’s designer in charge of the DS line is Brit Mark Lloyd, who’s been charged with turning the marketing drivel ‘different spirit’ DNA into the production cars’ designs. We somehow suspect the concept’s pearlescent ivory leather roof pictured here won’t make it to showrooms.

The DS Inside follows the basic architecture of the new C3 cabin – but spruced up with ‘black chrome’, armadillo-padded leather trim and thicker than normal rug carpets. Strip away the veneers and you're looking at the next C3's cockpit.

Will the new DS models differ widely in the metalwork outside? Citroen insiders vow the DS3 will differ substantially from the C3, to justify the new badge.

By Tim Pollard