• New-look DS 3 to introduces significant new safety equipment
  • First Citroen to gain Active City Brake technology
  • Reverse camera and parking sonar offered as standard
  • New-look DS 3 to launch mid-April

Citroen Australia has announced it will increase the standard safety package of its new-look DS 3 with the adoption of Active City Brake, reverse camera and parking sonar as standard.

Significantly, DS 3 and DS 3 cabrio are the first models in the PSA group to be equipped with Active City Brake technology, a potentially life-saving technology and new addition to the supermini market.

Active at speeds under 31km/h, the automated braking system helps avoid low-speed city collisions thanks to a short-range laser sensor mounted behind the rear-vision mirror mount. 

This 10m Lidar unit detects vehicles in front of the car and, if that vehicle is sensed to have slowed or stopped too quickly, Active City Brake automatically applies the DSport's brakes.

To best avoid or reduce the impact of the collision Active City Brake operates on two levels: Crash Avoidance (between 0 and 27km/h) and Crash Mitigation (between 28 and 30km/h), switching off at speeds of 31km/h and above.

DS 3 and DS 3 Cabrio now also feature eyes in the back of their heads thanks to a rear-view camera and parking sensors, fresh for the 2015 update. 

These upgrades not only make the DS 3 safer to use, they improve the ease of every day maneuvering. 

The colour rear-vision camera displays live feedback with static guidelines on the 7-inch eMyWay satellite navigation screen in the centre console.

John Startari, General Manager of Citroen Australia said that the addition of the important safety features marked a milestone for the DS marque.

"As our flagship marque, it is fitting that a DS badged vehicle is the first to receive the innovative Active City Brake technology," said Startari.

"The DS 3 is a vehicle that is suited to urban motoring and we are certain that the upgraded safety and styling package will enhance the vehicles appeal with Australian customers," said Startari.

The new-look DS 3 is set to arrive in Australian dealerships mid-April – future pricing and specification details will be available closer to launch.