There’s a choice of three options when considering Citroen DS3 Cabrio performance, and they’re all petrol engines.

Performance pick

The quickest of the bunch is the THP 155 engine. It’s a 1.6-litre petrol engine which generates 155bhp and 240Nm, and it’s coupled to a six-speed manual gearbox. This combination allows for 0-62mph in 7.4 seconds and a top speed of 132mph.

This engine pulls very well indeed at most revs, although there’s a slight lack of torque right at the bottom end of the power delivery as the turbocharger wakes up. It pulls cleanly to the red line though, and it does make the Cabrio feel like a fairly sporty car. It’s not going to set the world on fire, but it’s a genuinely fun drive.

The six-speed gearbox is equally proficient, with a short enough throw to make you feel involved in the driving process.

Cheapest to run

The smallest engine is an all-new 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol which makes 82bhp and 188Nm of pulling power. It comes fitted to a five-speed manual gearbox. That means a sprint to 62mph in 12.5 seconds and a top speed of 107mph.

Occupying the middle of the power hierarchy is the 1.6-litre VTi 120, which predictably makes 120bhp and has 160Nm of pull. It gets a five-speed manual gearbox. The 0-62mph sprint is dispatched in 8.9 seconds, while the top speed is 118mph.

There’s little to distinguish the DS3 Cabrio from the hard-top version, and that’s no bad thing at all. Body roll is well controlled and the car feels balanced through corners, which inspires confidence.

It lacks the outright ‘fun factor’ of cars like the MINI, but the Citroen is nimble and agile enough to be enjoyable if you fancy turning the wick up a little.

The steering is well weighted and direct, despite it is electrically assisted – there isn’t the overly noticeable numbness you feel on some of the smaller European hatchbacks which use the same system.