Performance Review: Citroen DS3 1.6 THP 150 - [2009]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Citroen DS3 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Citroen DS3 1.6 THP 150 is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2009. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2010 Hennessey Venom GT 6.2L V8 and the 2010 Bugatti Veyron 8.0 litre W16 Super Sport.This particular Citroen DS3 has a 1598cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The DS3 shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the DS3's Front Wheel Drive, Hatchback combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1240 kgs (2733 lbs) this makes the Citroen DS3 1.6 THP 150 in the same weight category as the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line or the give or take 50kg.

The Citroen DS3 shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp)

In terms of power the 1598cc 16V St4 engine produces 154 bhp (114 kW) @ 6000 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp).

The Turbo St4 throws out 177 lb-ft (239.9 Nm) @ 1400 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (162 lb-ft) or the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (184 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Citroen DS3 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1991 Audi Coupe S2 2.2T Quattro (149.1 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Citroen DS3.

The Citroen DS3 has a Power to weight ratio of 124.1 bhp per ton and 142.7 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2009 DS3 competing with the 1991 Audi Coupe S2 2.2T Quattro (149.1 bhp per ton) or the 1993 Alfa-Romeo 164 3.0 V6 Quadrifoglio (149.0 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Citroen DS3 generating around 142.7 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2012 Lexus LS 600h (167.6 lb-ft per ton) or the 2012 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works (167.6 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.20 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.4 secs, this made the Citroen DS3 1.6 THP 150 as fast as the 2018 Abarth 695 XSR Yamaha Automated (7.20 secs) the 2015 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD 2.0 TDI DSG (7.20 secs) the 2014 Peugeot 308 GT 1.6 Turbo (7.20 secs) the or the 2013 Volvo S60 T5 2.5 Turbo (7.20 secs). This Citroen DS3 1.6 THP 150 is also faster than the 2019 Peugeot 508 PureTech 225 GT S and S (7.30 secs) the 2013 Seat Leon SC 2.0 TDI FR (7.30 secs) the 2013 Subaru BRZ 2L 210ps (7.30 secs) the and the 2013 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD DSG 2.0 Turbo Diesel (7.30 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the DS3 and the 2009 Ford Fiesta ST185

When talking about the performance of the Citroen DS3 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 16.12 secs @ 84.8 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2009 Ford Fiesta ST185 (16.06 secs), the 1989 Jaguar XJ R-S 6.0 V12 (16.06 secs), and the 2012 Rolls-Royce Phantom Series II Drop-Head Coupe (16.06 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2009 version of the Citroen DS3 1.6 THP 150 has a maximum speed of 133mph.

Top Speed of the 2009 DS3 equals the 2018 Ford Fiesta ST 1.5 Turbo 5 door (144 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2009 Citroen DS3 1.6 THP 150 then how about the 2018 Ford Fiesta ST 1.5 Turbo 5 door (144 mph), the 2018 Ford Fiesta ST 1.5 Turbo (144 mph), or the 2016 Abarth 124 Spider 1.4 Turbo (144 mph).

Related Links:

2009 DS3 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Citroen

Car Comparison