Citroen split their production into two and gave their luxury side just the name DS. I’m not too sure why, a bit like Toyota and Lexus but it doesn’t seem to have harmed anyone.

Citroen marches on, still turning out good cars; DS cars are quite lovely and Peugeot sits like a broody hen keeping an eye on them both, making sure there are no mistakes in sales and production.

It was the DS3 which was responsible for the launch of the premium brand because Joe Public really liked the Citroen DS 2 when it was launched in 2010.

There was a bit of a facelift two years ago and then they came out with the new DS3 early this year, minus the Citroen name.

It is truly a beautiful car, and of course being typically French the manufacturers chose a beautiful French girl to help advertise it, and Givency help to sponsor it, hence the picture.

Citroen wanted the DS3 to beat the MINI and the Audi A1 on the sales stakes, and I think they have done pretty well against some stiff opposition. But in fact the CS 3 would be my choice against the A1 and the MINI anyway.

The DS 3 is offered in a three-door hatchback bodystyle or a cabriolet but should you want your hair in the air you will lose a big bit of boot space.

The car has got bags of class and the 2014 facelift brought in the 1.2-litre PureTech three-cylinder engine. This was much better compared to the older engines. Pulling power was much better with improved mpg.

Now this year with the new facelift DS brought in a top-spec 128bhp version plus the DS 3 Performance, which is a full production hot hatch.

This boasts a 204bhp 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine, stiffer suspension, a Torsen diff and chunky brakes which easily takes on the MINI Cooper S.

Prices begin for under £14,000 for the base DS and there are a number of variables as you climb to the top of the range Performance number comes in at £22,500.

There are three petrol engines and two diesels and all but the basic 1.2-litre PureTech 82 are turbocharged. The PureTech 110 is the only DS 3 engine available with a self-shifting EAT6 gearbox alongside the regular five-speed manual. It’s a full automatic.

Equipment levels are good on the DS 3, particularly if you steer clear of the basic version.

All models have cruise control, speed limiter, front electric windows, tyre pressure monitor and front fog lights, for example – the distinctive LED daytime running lights that so characterise the DS 3 are also included on all.

In the cabin every version up from the base car gets LED interior mood lighting. High-tech Xenon LED Vision headlights are an option on all and standard on upper-line models.

There is a three-year, 60,000-mile warranty with the DS 3 and you can extend this through a DS dealer for an extra one or two years at a reasonable cost.

The larger four-cylinder 1.6-litre THP 165 has just a six-speed manual and 0-62mph is 7.5 seconds and top speed is 135mph. Then there is the performance model which has the 204bhp 1.6-litre turbo engine.

This does 0-62mph in 6.5 seconds and this follows the diesel choice which is a single 1.6-litre turbo engine in either BlueHDi 100 or BlueHDi 120.

The 1.2-litre PureTech engines of which there are two are quite excellent giving you more than 60 miles to the gallon with CO2 emissions of less than 107g/km.

The BlueHDi 100 will give you 83mpg on the combined cycle and 74 around town. CO2 emissions are 87g/km.

The faster BlueHDi 120 averages almost 80mpg and emits 94g/km and it has a six speed box.

There is a big enough boot of 285 litres and there are split-folding rear seats as standard, extending the boot space to 880 litres.