Citroen is about to open the order books for the hot-shot version of its newest small car, the DS3. The newest model known as the Racing will produce 207bhp from its tuned 1.6 petrol engine, making it the fastest Citroen you can buy.

The car is based on the range-topping DS3 DSport but has been modified by the make’s performance division, Citroen Racing. Changes include a carbon fibre body kit. The car sits 15mm closer to the road, while specific dampers and other suspension changes have been made to sharpen its handling, while it has a wider, larger ‘wheelprint’ front and rear. The brakes are also updated, featuring four-pot disks and model-specific front discs.

Inside, carbon fibre trim sits on the dash, wheel and door inserts, while standard equipment includes digital air conditioning, Bluetooth, USB connectivity and an eight-speaker hi-fi. The Racing also features a switch electronic stability programme.

Just 200 cars are being produced for the UK and while other DS3s can be had in a huge choice of roof and body trim combinations, here it’s an orange roof on a black body, or a grey roof on white. The wheels, door mirrors, grille surround, rear spoiler and dash pick up the roof colour.

Citroen will take order from September 1 but the first cars won’t be delivered until next year, meaning that increase in VAT from 17.5% to 20% will push up prices. Even so, at £23,100 the Racing won’t be cheap.

A Renaultsport Clio 200, for instance, is a likely rival. At time of writing, and with VAT at 17.5% it sells for £17,710.