The Paris Motor Show will be the scene of the launch of Citroen's latest bundle of French fun. It's the Citroen DS3 Cabrio and the promise is a convenient hatchback with the roof-raising thrills of a convertible. Here we have the first pics ahead of the covers coming off in Paris.

On the practicality front, there's plenty of space for passengers – five adults, in fact – and luggage and they've worked hard on the soundproofing so it's not a noisy little blighter when the roof is closed (which is, to be perfectly honest, a lot of the time when you're a British convertible owner). The Cabrio roof only adds 25kg to the weight – this is pretty good given that a typical hatchback with a convertible roof can be 100kg heavier. The proportions are still hatchback-compact – it's 3.95m long, 1.71m wide and 1.46m high.

There are three designs for the soft top roof – black, Infinite blue and a DS Monogrammed design. Perhaps the most intriguing of the roof designs in Infinite blue – a soft-top that uses three different coloured threads, one of which is shiny, so it changes colour in the light. The Monogramme roof features contrasting grey tones. The roof can be electronically opened up to motorway speeds of 75mph and it takes just 16 seconds to fully close. This is all done via a button on the ceiling that can set the roof to three positions – intermediate, horizontal and total.

As well as seven body colours to chose from, there's also a 3D tail light signature, LED daytime running lights, and special tailgate opening action to keep it individualistic. The two-tone floating roof and sculpted front end also look pretty sharp.

Inside, it's also pretty stylish with white LED ambient lighting on the ceiling console with the roof control and white lighting on the instrument cluster. Upholstery choices include Granit blue leather, Akinen weft in Mistral, a dark grey as well as Chic brown and Infinite blue. It's also colour-coded on the dashboard strip, air vent surrounds and gear stick knob to match the soft-top and body. Six decors are available – grey, Brillant black, white, Carbotech, Infinite blue and Moondust grey.

More details to come about UK prices and specs. It goes on sale early next year.

 
By Georgia Lewis

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