THE launch of Citroen's upmarket DS sub-brand has done a lot to revive the famed French firm and re-establish it as a designer of individual, stylish and sometimes quirky cars.

The DS3 led the way in a line-up that now features three vehicles and is in many ways the pick of the bunch.

It seems to have capitalised perfectly on the current clamour for classy, distinctive and sporty small cars and as such is a genuine rival to the Mini.

When the DS sub-brand was unveiled there was speculation it might mark a nostalgic return to the marque's finest moment- the creation of the legendary Citroen DS in the mid fifties.

It didn't, the acronym now denotes ‘different spirit' rather than ‘desiree speciale'

But it nonetheless marked a pretty significant departure for Citroen from a period where it had arguably gone downmarket and was concentrating more on value and volume than prestige and premium.

Having two brands means it can effectively do both and it is also interesting to see the pace at which the DS arm is taking off in China.

In the wake of the DS3's success comes the Cabrio version, offering another twist on this small car that will no doubt particularly appeal to a nation that loves its convertibles.

One of the benefits is that the Cabrio retains the DS3's basic design lines, which are excellent it has to be said.

Okay, so it's not a convertible in the true sense of the word but rather like the Fiat 500C the vinyl roof winds back so you can enjoy the wind in your hair - or the sun when it makes an occasional appearance.

It's also reminiscent of the folding roof on the classic Citroen 2CV, albeit far more technically advanced, and it certainly creates a feel of some of that Citroen character of old.

The fact it has number of positions, you can actually stop it at any point, is a bonus. Slide it back slightly and it's effectively an enlarged sunroof, as far back as the rear columns and it feels like a car with all the benefits of a convertible but with far more protection from the elements - particularly the wind.

When fully retracted it feels more like a full-on convertible, but still with a degree of cosseting.

Another real benefit is it can be opened and closed at high speed.

There's a bit of a downside to the full retraction position in that rear visibility is somewhat limited due to the way in which the folded roof is stored.

To be fair large wing mirrors do compensate somewhat but it's still a bit of a hindrance.

The other big downside is that having a folding roof results in a rather awkward boot design.

A small lid opens to reveal a post box style opening for access. Getting things in is a tad tricky and removing them is trickier still - you sometimes feel like you have to virtually climb in to extract them. Space is fairly limited too.

They are about the only downsides to this car though.

Like its hard-roofed stablemate the Cabrio has everything going for it, from those stand-out design lines and funky exterior styling touches to an interior that is nothing short of sumptuous and exquisite. The switchgear is definitely in the premium category and the cabin is comfortable and well appointed.

I wasn't hugely keen on the complex folding front seats to access the rear of the car, they were difficult to reset once folded back but an impressive amount of space for a small car, front and rear, more than compensates.

If the DS3 was going to succeed it had to offer the kind of diving dynamics that might persuade potential Mini buyers to jump ship.

It certainly delivers in this respect being a fun and spirited car to drive, with responsive steering and handling that matches its sporty styling.

Peugeot-Citroen's 1.6-litre turbocharged engine is a great performer - smooth, refined and pleasingly potent - and it feels perfectly suited to the DS3.

The ride might be noticeably hard but it falls short of being jarring or unpleasant and arguably adds something to the car's sporting character.

The DS3 continues to be a great small car that has helped make Citroen fashionable and desirable again and in Cabrio guise it is arguably even more appealing.