The Dyane's design remained almost completely based on the Citroën 2CV and its underpinnings, but at the same time received almost all-new body panels, distinguished by more straight, angular overall features.

Like the Renault 4, the Dyane was designed from the outset as a hatchback with some other styling differences, such as conventional round headlamps set into the front fender with a squared stainless steel trim ring – as opposed to the old-fashioned separate units found on the 2CV – and stainless steel wheel embellishments as standard.

The spare wheel and jack were mounted in a special cradle under the bonnet/hood (rather than both simply being placed loose on the floor of the luggage area at the back).

The interior of the "Confort" was slightly less basic, with plastic moulded door panels rather than flat, vinyl covered hardboard.

[1] However, two months later, in March 1968, the 425cc unit was replaced, in a car now described as the "Dyane 4", by an improved 435 cc engine providing 26 bhp (19 kW; 26 PS) (SAE).

Although there was a price to be paid in terms of higher fuel consumption, the listed top speed went up to 105 km/h (66 mph) and acceleration was measurably less anæmic.

The fan was mounted on a tapered shaft and secured with a bolt at the bottom of a deep tube (the top of which engaged the starter handle).

No Cylinder-head gasket was used, and since the wings unbolted in a few minutes, it was possible to remove the cylinder heads and barrels, change the pistons or piston-rings and reassemble the top end very quickly, using only a few tools.

The Dyane was also available with the "trafficlutch" - a centrifugal clutch which helped avoid stalling whilst in slow moving urban traffic.

More than twenty years later, with the much more modern Renault 4 selling strongly against the Citroën offerings, it was thought that buyers must be ready for a less aggressively basic approach.

[6] Locally assembled vehicles (from CKD kits) by Tomos included the Ami 8, 2CV6, GS, and Dyane (called the Diana).

[7] The Dyane was also built in Iran by SAIPA from 1968 to 1980, where it was called the Jian or Jyane - a Persian word meaning "fierce" or "ferocious".

The car was commended for its versatility, spaciousness and comfort as well as for unexpectedly good road holding and fuel economy "when not driven hard".

Apart from the Mini, UK market competitors identified by the journal included the Hillman Imp and the Reliant Rebel as well as the (at the time very popular ) Renault 4.