Citroen DS3 wins ‘Small Car of the Year’ in Fifth Gear Awards

Citroen’s DS3 is celebrating another best in class, after picking up the ‘Small Car of the Year’ accolade in the Fifth Gear Awards.  The latest honour for DS3 comes just days after the stand-out model was presented with the same title in TopGear magazine’s 2010 awards, together with the overall ‘Car of the Year’ trophy.

DS3 has been impressing the Fifth Gear team since its launch at the beginning of the year.  Fifth Gear said: “The Citroen DS3 is a brilliant little package.  It’s sharp looking on the outside, beautifully styled on the inside and comes with a great range of fast, but frugal engines.  What surprised us the most is just how good it is to drive.  On the road the DS3 feels great, and on the track Tiff [Needell] twice drove it to victory against more expensive and more powerful competition.  It simply doesn't put a foot wrong.”

Marc Raven, Citroen UK’s Communications Director, added: “DS3 has had an outstanding year, and the recent flurry of honoursare proving it.  DS3 introduces a fresh and distinctive style to the class with its attention-grabbing personality.  Embodying the best of Citroen’s ‘Créative Technologie’ with sophistication and comfort, it’s redefining the supermini market.”

Not a model to rest on its multiple laurels, the versatile DS3 is stepping out with some exciting new versions in the New Year.  DS3 Racing, a 207hp special edition created by six-time WRC winning team, Citroen Racing, is already one of the most anticipated models of 2011.

Next year will also see DS3 proving its sporting credentials with the introduction of DS3 WRC, Citroen’s all-new challenger for the World Rally Championship.  Powered by a 300hp 1.6-litre turbocharged engine, DS3 WRC will get its first taste of competitive action at Rally Sweden in February.