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DS 3 Ines De La Fressange Paris is the First Car from the DS Standalone Brand

In late 2014, PSA Peugeot Citroen reported that they’re considering a rebranding of their posh DS lineup. Alas, Citroen DS3 would become the DS 3 and so forth, a change that is now in effect with the launch of the curiously named DS 3 Ines De La Fressange Paris front-wheel drive supermini.
DS 3 Ines De La Fressange Paris 6 photos
Photo: DS
DS 3 Ines de la Fressange ParisDS 3 Ines de la Fressange ParisDS 3 Ines de la Fressange ParisDS 3 Ines de la Fressange ParisDS 3 Ines de la Fressange Paris
Initially showcased as a concept vehicle, the DS 3 Ines de la Fressange Paris is actually a limited edition of the DS 3 that pays tribute to a fashion designer. Yup, it’s girly stuff and the person’s name is way too long to spell without taking a break: Inès Marie Lætitia Églantine Isabelle de Seignard de La Fressange.

In the typically French way of automaking, this limited-run DS 3 also establishes the standalone DS brand in Europe, a re-branding move I can’t comprehend. Dear Citroen, if you delete Citroen badges from the DS 3, you’re not going to make it more appealing or a better-selling model because it’s the same car as ever minus some double chevron logos.

Ranting aside, that Encre blue exterior paint is pretty cool, as is the contrast it makes with the Onyx black-painted roof and the “Rouge Ines” rearview mirror housings. The Parisian city car also has a sticker of €23,950 ($27,745), money that you can also spend on a Volkswagen Golf Comfortline with the 1.2 TSI.

Also available in rag top cabriolet format, the DS 3 Ines de la Fressange Paris supermini is pretty expensive, outclassing models from the bigger C-segment. Last but not least, what was Citroen thinking when it declared that DS is “a French brand born in Paris,” that “takes its inspiration from the finest in French know-how and creates cars for customers looking to express their personalities."

The absurdity goes on: "DS models stand out through their pioneering design, refinement and attention to detail and are also resolutely high-tech.” A six-year-old model presented as being high-tech? Not quite...
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About the author: Mircea Panait
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After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well.
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