IT started as an upmarket spin-off from Citroen, but the DS brand has matured from selling upgraded versions of existing models from the French carmaker to full-blooded style icon with a growing fan club.

The process of building its own name, identity and style is complete. The invitations to come to the party are bringing a positive response.

Using top-notch materials and eye-catching features that promote individuality and customisation, the DS3 - as cheerleader for the brand - is winning over a largely younger driver.

Part of its appeal is that it looks like nothing else on the road. Strong, assertive lines, contrasting roof colours, striking daytime running lights and nice decorative touches make this a head-turner.

Taking a leaf out of the Mini and Fiat 500 books of customisation choice, there are hundreds of thousands of possible combinations across the DS3 range.

It’s a small car, and the three-door DS does let itself down a bit in the practicality stakes. You could transport four adult passengers, but the three in the back would be quite cramped.

The steering is light and responsive, enough to almost rival the Mini’s handling, while the fit and finish of the DS3 is superior to most other cars in the segment. It's a fun, sophisticated, upmarket car, which will cost you about £20,000 for a decent trim level. Prices start at around £18,000 but can top £26,000 if you are seduced by all the options.

This is a young person’s motor, and wouldn’t suit a family, except as a second car.

The DS 3 has always embodied avant-garde design and was the first DS to feature the "LED Vision” light signature. The new front end complements the styling of the car, with the double wings making their debut on a DS model.

The design team has retained much of the car’s original look, including the two-tone body/roof colours, but it is now more unique than ever in terms of personalisation possibilities, including options for the roof, body, rear view mirror housings, dashboard and gear knob. Customers can now choose from 78 body/roof colour combinations and four fabric roofs for the DS 3 Cabrio.

New models are also equipped with Mirror Screen functionality, comprising Apple CarPlay or MirrorLink (for Android phones), and a seven-inch colour touchscreen.

In addition, the active city brake system helps to prevent minor collisions at low speeds. A short-range sensor, located at the top of the windscreen, detects obstacles such as a stationary vehicle. At speeds of up to 18mph it identifies potential risks and brings the car to a halt without the driver having to touch the brake pedal.

The DS 3 is now equipped with front and rear parking sensors, a reversing camera with visual indicator guide lines on the 7-inch screen and hill start assist (manual gearbox only). Day-to-day usability and comfort is also provided by a spacious boot with a large load volume.

Although it may well have appeal as an urban car, the DS3 is equally at ease out on the open road due to its compact dimensions, agility and, above all, to its high-performance engines.

It is available with seven engines, including three PureTech three-cylinder petrol engines (the DS brand’s PureTech engines won an International Engine of the Year award in 2015). There are also two THP four-cylinder petrol units and two BlueHDi diesels.

Particularly noteworthy are the latest-generation automatic gearbox, the new PureTech 130 three-cylinder turbo petrol engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission and a new dynamic model called DS 3 Performance, with a powerful new engine.

Available for the first time in DS 3 and DS 3 Cabrio, the PureTech 130 S&S delivers generous torque and plenty of verve

The figures speak for themselves, with combined-cycle fuel consumption of 61.4mpg and CO2 emissions of 105g/km for the hatchback and the Cabrio – not forgetting 205Nm of torque.