Citroën's quirky little DS3 hatch is a worthy rival to the Mini and Alfa Mito but as with its rivals, the price can be a turn-off for many potential buyers. Until now, the most attainable model in the range would have set you back R235 900.
Now the French brand is following in the footsteps of the Mini One by offering a more affordable alternative.
The DS3 VTi 82 Design will set you back just R199 900, before options, and it may just appeal to you if style is at the top of your priority list and performance is at the bottom.
As with the cheapest Mini, the price cut will be felt when you mash the right pedal into the floor.
Whereas the rest of the petrol range has 1.6-litre engines, the VTi 82 inherits the PSA group's new 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol motor that we first saw in the 208. There's no turbocharger to speak of, but its outputs are not too bad under the circumstances, with 60kW on tap at 5750rpm and 118Nm at 2750rpm.
Its claimed 0-100km/h time, at the coast, is 14.2 seconds and the top speed is 174km/h. Things look brighter when we glance over the fuel consumption figures, with Citroën claiming a combined cycle number of just 4.6 litres per 100km.
As before, DS3 buyers can still opt for an 88kW 1.6, 115kW 1.6 turbo and 68kW turbodiesel. The entire range has just been enhanced for 2013 with the addition of two new exterior colours - Moondust metallic grey and Infini blue - along with new roof colour options.
PRICES
VTi 82 Design (60kW) - R199 900
VTi 120 Style (88kW) - R235 900
VTi 120 Style Sport AT (88kW) - R264 900
THP 155 Sport (115kW) - R284 400
THP 155 Ultra Prestige (115kW) - R311 600
e-HDi 90 Style Sport (68kW) - R251 900