Citroen Releases New Premium DS3

Small doesn't need to mean less luxurious. Not anymore. But while BMW's Mini had the premium hatchback market pretty much all to itself for years, today the market is bursting with new contenders. If British isn't your thing, Italy offers the Fiat 500 and Alfa Romeo, but now France is entering the fray with the new Citroen DS3.

Previewed at the Geneva show as the DS Inside concept, Citroen has now released the production DS3 in advance of its debut at the upcoming Frankfurt auto show. And in the transition from concept to production, the French automaker has stayed pretty close to the original. The DS3's big selling point is its bespoke customization options, giving buyers a choice of colors for the roof, mirrors, dashboard, wheel hubs and more in addition to the usual exterior and interior choices. A range of high-tech and premium equipment rounds out the package, available with a variety of diesel and gasoline engines. Sadly for fans of French design, however, Citroen doesn't market in the United States, making this one more enticing choice that remains out of reach for North American buyers.