Geneva 2009: Citroen DS3 concept hiding in the dark
by Sam Abuelsamid on Mar 5th 2009 at 8:58AM 
Click above for high-res gallery of the Citroen DS3 concept
A few weeks back, Citroen announced that it would bring the DS appellation to a line of premium models based on several of its existing cars. The first example will evidently be the DS3 coming next year. In spite of bringing the car to the Geneva Motor Show in concept form this week, Citroen is apparently not too keen on people actually seeing the car itself. A styling buck of the DS3 is tucked away in a tiny dark alcove off the back of the main Citroen display at the PalExpo. Once you step inside there is a narrow walkway around the car and the lighting is mostly dim with occasional flashes.
It's truly a shame because the DS3 is actually a pretty decent looking three-door hatchback with some interesting styling elements, aside from the hot pink roof over the gray body. Aside from the dual chevrons, though, there is nothing about this car that is reminiscent of an original DS. Hopefully next time Citroen will exhibit some confidence and show this car out in the open.
Photos Copyright ©2009 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
ben 9:12AM (3/05/2009)
well, they chose a beautiful color scheme. can't believe they don't want this on their main display.
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BigWill 9:13AM (3/05/2009)
Oh look, the Citroen Barbie!
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Drew Smith 9:20AM (3/05/2009)
Well put. Why Citroen decided to show the car this way was a mystery to me and then it twigged. I've written about it over at: http://downsideupdesign.wordpress.com/2009/03/04/citroen-launches-ds-inside-inside/
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Sam 12:32PM (3/05/2009)
I hope that load of old tosh didnt take you too long to write.
Richard 9:39AM (3/05/2009)
I was wondering where the DS3's were last night as I was scanning AB.
What a shame!
The though of a new Citroen-shaped Citroen was exciting. This is like a Kuga with Chevron badges and Rapha colorways (www.rapha.cc) - nothing wrong with that, though.
Again, what a shame!
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gerrrg 11:56AM (3/05/2009)
Hot pink?
Really?
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Taglane 11:59AM (3/05/2009)
They probably saw the Fiat Barbie edition, and they were all: No. We can't do another one.
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Taglane 11:59AM (3/05/2009)
aaaaand that's how it ended up in the back.
tuna 1:46PM (3/05/2009)
I think it's a lightly reskinned Suzuki SX4 crossover.
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jtdaven115 3:18PM (3/05/2009)
PSA isn't doing so hot financially (is anyone?). They might be downplaying the whole DS idea because it just isn't going to be financially viable in the near future. Hoping that nobody notices...
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P.V. 5:48PM (3/05/2009)
It looks nice, but it definitely doesn't deserve the DS name. Maybe that's why Citroën hid it away: they were ashamed of the relatively conservative design.
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AMcA 12:02AM (3/06/2009)
It has "le weirdness" needed to be French.
But I kinda like it, I think.
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Blastman 2:17AM (3/06/2009)
This is what happens when women are let in on the design process of cars. They dress things up in pink nail polish. Got to have that feminine touch. Ugh.
An auto is a masculine proposition, not a girly dress with pink accents.
Otherwise, a nice design.
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