Outsider view: Courage, mon brave!

Citroen have stuck their neck out once again with the new DS3. Admittedly, this latest version is not as avant-garde as the old 'Déesse' (French pun on the word Goddess). Even so, it still makes a pleasant change from the carefully cultivated uniformity of the small to compact class and should stand out amongst a crowd in the same way the Mini does. So what about the price? At €15,200 (£14,000) for the entry model, it is affordable and by no means overpriced. And the many options for individualising the DS3 make for interesting speculation about the format in which this new model will start rolling off the assembly lines next March to populate Europe. Citroen seem set on restoring their traditional reputation as automotive innovator. Good luck to them!