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FireFlyz | 67
Specif ications
ENGINE
1,598cc 16V in-line 4withMulti-
Point Electronic Fuel Injection
OUTPUT
120hp@6,000rpm; 160Nm@
4,250rpm
TRANSMISSION
4-speed automaticwith
sequential shift
BRAKESANDSUSPENSION
Solid disc (front & rear);
MacPherson strut (Front); flexible
traverse beam (Rear); ABS; EBA;
EBD; ESP
TYRE SIZE
205/45 R17
WHEELBASE (mm)
2,464
DIMENSIONS (mm)
3,948 (L) x 1, 715 (W) x 1, 483 (H)
KERBWEIGHT (kg)
1,164
FUEL TANK (l)
50
PRICE (OnThe RoadWith
Insurance)
RM 117,888
let’s hope we’ll get to see that here in the
near future.
Spirited driving and quick overtaking
can be done by manual override of the
gears and ‘S’ mode will help hold the revs
a little longer. But as the revs and speed
climb, so does the road noise level. The
wide contact patch of the low profile 17”
tires are partly responsible and additional
padding to the wheel arches should take
out most of the drone.
Drive
Put the DS3 on a windy road and you’ll
very quickly forget its shortcomings.
You just have to point its nose in a
particular direction of your choice and
revel in how it entertains you with nifty
handling. Even though it can’t be called
the best handling hatch in its class, its
suspension set-up allows it to be very
stable and composed in corners and
should satisfy except the most hardcore
of steering wheel turners.
The let-downs in driving terms are the
gearbox and steering. There are only 4
gears to use; sufficient for city and windy
road conditions, but a little lacking on
a highway cruise. Despite being one or
two gears short of a fantastic ride, I still
managed a creditable consumption of
nine litres per 100km. Steering feel is on
the numb side even though it’s nicely
weighted and responsive.
Interior
Citroën is no stranger to eccentric design,
but the DS3’s interior doesn’t quirk its way
into the strange. It’s actually one of the best
looking interiors I’ve seen in a small hatch.
Yes, there are some odd hard plastics here
and there, but the overall look and texture
of the interior, especially the dashboard,
matches the car’s exterior character.
The quasi-floating cowl shades the very
pleasant looking meters and the piano
black finish across the dashboard looks
premium even though it’s a fingerprint
magnet. The built-in air freshener helps
to keep the interior smelling pleasant. I
just wished there was more storage and
some decent cupholders even though I
understand that it’s a small car.
However, its driving position deceives
its small build. You sit a little offset and a
little far from the windscreen which gives
the impression that this is a longer car than
it is. But it doesn’t take too long to get used
to it. The front passenger can sit a little
further in front thanks to the scalloped
glove compartment which is uniquely
small. This allows rear passengers more
knee space, but shoulder space is still
limited with 3 abreast. Nonetheless, they
can all take comfort in the comfort of the
flat seat bench.
Verdict
If you’re looking for a nondescript car,
the DS3 isn’t for you. This car looks
unconventional enough to attract eyeballs
everywhere you go. If you’re looking for
a tarmac scorcher, the DS3 isn’t for you
either. There are faster superminis in the
market, but they’re also more expensive.
But if you’re someone who likes to stand
out, try this out for size. It also doesn’t go
too fast that no one will notice you.