Citroen DS3 Racing test

At 3.96 metres in length, the DS3 Racing is a condensed package of dynamism.

The front and rear wheel arches have been enlarged… the ride height has been lowered….and it comes with 18-inch wheels and a reinforced brake system.

This car has everything all other self respecting sports cars have with one exception in that everything that appears to be carbon fibre actually is carbon fibre.

There are two colour schemes to choose from: either black and orange or white and grey along with some nifty decoration bits.

The interior has been given the same treatment and you‘ll find more carbon fibre on both the steering wheel and central console and the bucket seats add to the feel with the embroidered Citroen Racing logo.

Citroen’s work on the chassis and drive train was aimed at creating a continual relationship between the driver and the road and that it has, but in fact it has perhaps gone too far. The DS3 Racing is plenty sporty but the steering is very light, diminishing precision. The driver must constantly make minor corrections even while driving in a straight line.

The engine delivers 202 brake horsepower and 275 Newton metres of torque, enticing the driver to play with the gear shift.

No criticism can be made of the brakes and we really appreciate the fact that the trajectory control system can be disconnected.

Originally, 1000 DS3 Racing units were scheduled to be built but that number has increased threefold, a fantastic result considering the near €30,000 price tag, making this car just a bit too expensive for what it offers. This is the same price as a Megane Renault Sport, which comes with 50 more horsepower and a drive train with a limited slip differential offering better grip, but maybe a little less glamorous.