Citroen DS3 Cabrio (2012) first official pictures

Britain is Europe's biggest market for convertibles - odd, given our recent blink-and-you'll-miss-it summer. Still, Citroen hasn't been put off, and will launch the DS3 Cabrio after its world debut at the 2012 Paris motor show.

Citroen claims the weight has only increased by 25kg over the hard-top DS3, and buyers will get even more personalisation options to go along with the wind-in-the-hair driving experience.

The DS3 Cabrio keeps the same proportions as the regular DS3 supermini, but swaps the fixed roof for a roll-back fabric top. As such, it's not a true open-top, but more of a super-sunroof-endowed supermini in the mould of the Fiat 500C and forthcoming Audi A1 cabrio. By retaining the pillar structure and roof rails, the DS3 remains more stiff than a full top-off job, and helps keep the weight penalty low.

The roof itself takes 16 seconds to close, and can be operated at up to 74mph. Citroen reckons the refinement with the top closed is comparable to that of a fixed-head car, and to protect bequiffed drivers' hairdos, there's an air deflector built into the header rail. The roofskin itself is of course customisable: you can have it in three designs, complementing seven different body colours. And as per the usual DS3, you can spec your favourite mirror housings and alloy wheels.

There are a few chic little detail changes to keep the car's fashion-conscious market happy. Six different colours are available for the dashboard panel, and naturally, the gearstick and air vents are colour coded to the exterior of your DS3 Cabrio. It seems as though Citroen has the hugely colourful and tweakable Renault Clio firmly in its sights.

There's also white ambient interior lighting to set it all off. On the subject of lights, the LED rear clusters have been restyled with a 3D 'disappearing' effect, inspired by the Revolte and Survolt concept cars, apparently.

At its home motor show, first off. The Citroen DS3 Cabrio will take the stage at the 2012 Paris motor show in September, with UK sales following in early 2013.

No prices or full specfications have yet been revealed, but Citroen has promised there'll be a version that emits just 99g/km of CO2. No good for global warming then, the DS3 Cabrio, so you may be keeping the roof closed after all...

By Ollie Kew