Second Generation DS 4

After a three-year hiatus, the DS 4 returns for its second generation and it's now a sleeker and more stylish hatchback that is as French as the Louvre. Like it or not, the all-new DS 4 is a bold fashion statement that balances the good and bad characteristics of a proper French car. Let's investigate.

2022 DS Automobiles 4

2022 DS Automobiles 4

Priced at 38,500 Euros plus additional costs, the all-new DS 4 marks the return of the DS brand's first five-door hatchback after three years in new and almost exciting ways that will tickle the drivers' fancies within. 

Beginning with the design, the new model is now sharper-looking compared to the old DS 4, which is surprisingly great for a French hatchback but when you parked somewhere at a fancy party place in Ibiza or near the casino at Monaco, it's hard to pass itself as a luxury car because, despite its premium design, it's basically a Peugeot 308 underneath, like a commoner dressed for JS Prom. Even the Cross variant with its rugged looks won't budge it because it's too obvious to know.

Obvious aside, the new model is heavily made of reusable and recyclable parts, meaning it has a conscience to the environment and sustainability, something that most carmakers will learn and adapt to someday.

2022 DS Automobiles 4 interior

Check inside and you will notice that the dashboard feels like a mashup between Star Trek and Beat Saber. Riffing aside, the minimalist layout spells trouble for speedo boys behind the wheel and that spells confusion unless you have a Bachelor's Degree in IT. To add more French salt to the wounds, it even comes with the DS IRIS SYSTEM that mashes up Alexa and the gesture control from BMW. Brace yourselves for some talk marathon if you're sitting at its sweet spot.

Because the new model is bigger than before, it's surprisingly roomier and more comfortable, giving the impression that you're like riding in an A-Class or an A3, which are the DS 4's targets but that would be burgeois to compare it to the German luxury hatchbacks that priced less than this. As for the boot, it's bigger than the previous DS 4 and the rear seats can be folded down for more.

2022 DS Automobiles 4

The all-new DS 4 is powered by three different powertrains; the 1.2 PureTech, the 1.5 BlueHDI, and the 1.6L E-TENSE PHEV powertrain. The said E-TENSE powertrain combines the turbocharged 1.6L petrol engine with an 81kW electric motor, lithium-ion battery, and an e-EAT8 gearbox. It delivers a combined power output of 225PS, 360Nm of combined torque, a 0-100kph time of 7.7 seconds, a top speed of 233kph, and 1.3L/100km of fuel economy.

Sounds high-performance class until we get to know about its dynamics. Despite its cheap suspension layout that behaves like a mainstream Japanese family hatchback, the new DS 4 drives better than the previous model. It even comes with the DS ACTIVE SCAN SUSPENSION which uses cameras that can detect road conditions and adapts through it like an auto-correct feature on your word processing software. The Cross variant features Advanced Traction Control and Hill Assist Descent Control, which are good enough while traversing through the dirt. Not exciting to drive but it feels good everywhere. It's about as civilized, as cultured, and as poised as the Germans. Respect for that.

As expected, the new DS 4 is loaded with the most cutting edge ADAS features offered in this semi-luxury hatchback courtesy of its DS DRIVE ASSIST 2.0 with cruise control, semi-automatic overtaking, speed adjustment, Radar Corners, and more, especially the DS NIGHT VISION system that detects stuff in the dark.

This is by no means a major improvement compared to the previous DS 4, like it or not. Despite its suspension setup that made it behave like a mainstream car, the all-new DS 4 is a premium-looking luxury hatchback that deserves to be driven every day. With such packaging, this French artwork is too impossible to ignore.

Photo: DS Automobiles

DS Automobiles Nouvelle DS5 et Nouvelle DS4 gamme

Citroen's DS lineup has officially left the family and spawned into a standalone luxury brand known as DS Automobiles and while this is done in honor of the DS's 60th year as well as five years of the DS range that started with the DS3, the new DS Automobiles brand ignites the brand identity's "Spirit of Avant-Garde" to their premium range of vehicles sold not just in Europe but in countries including China as well.

2016 DS Automobiles DS5

This is where we start with this. Of course, this is the facelifted Citroen DS5 but like it said, the new model is the first of the DS model not to wear the Citroen badge on it and since this is no longer a Citroen, it's now considered itself as a full-fledged DS car in its own right because with this car, the DS Automobiles brand is born and the spirit of avant-garde kicked in.

Thanks to its newly updated exterior, the new DS 5 is truly a flagship in its own right because from every angle, there's a fair hint of European luxury sprinkled around and without a hint of Citroen badge in sight, this car is well-groomed, well-tailored, and very posh to live on the road. Same goes to the interior as well because getting in has the same level as what you expect from a luxury German saloon car but this isn't a German saloon car, this is a French luxo-barge and who can't blame them?

It sure is a luxury saloon in its own right but at prices start at 29,550 Euros TTC, it's surprisingly accessible to buy one as well. Under the hood, the new DS 5 offers a choice of either a 2.0L turbocharged petrol engine, 1.6L BlueHDi diesel, 2.0L BlueHDi diesel, or a Hybrid4 powertrain with a 2.0L diesel engine connected to an electric motor. Most of the engines are Euro 6 compliant and depending on the engine types, it can be mated with either a 6-speed manual or automatic.

Although not a sporty car to drive, the new DS 5 is a comfortable cruiser suitable for the trips to the country club or a five-star hotel and you can really tell how luxurious the ride really is just by feeling it.

So, while the new DS 5 signalled the birth of the DS Automobiles, let's introduce to the new DS 4, which is also no longer a Citroen-branded hatchback but part of the new DS Automobiles brand.

2016 DS Automobiles DS 4

2016 DS Automobiles DS 4 Crossback

Here it is, the new DS 4 and now it spawned an additional crossover model called the DS 4 Crossback. Now, there are two DS 4 models to choose from but which ever DS 4 you choose, they're still the same thing and if anyone recalled driving the former Citroen DS4 in the distant past, some might recalled that it's far comparable to its Alfa Romeo Giulietta rival because it might have plenty of style but no cider. Same thing goes to the new Crossback model because while this maybe a crossover variant, the experience of driving one can be comparable to listening to Crossover FM on the radio. All that jazz, I dare say.

The range of engines include a 1.2L PureTech 130, 1.6L THP 165/200, 1.6L e-HDi 115/BlueHDi 120, and a 2.0L BlueHDi 150/180 and whichever engines you choose, it can be mated with either a 6-speed manual or automatic.

The new DS 4 starts at 23,700 Euros TTC while the Crossback model starts at 27,200 Euros TTC.

So, there we are, the new DS models may have christened the birth of the DS Automobiles brand but some people remain skeptical about Citroen's move of spawning the DS as a stand-alone luxury brand in the same way Lexus is to Toyota, but whatever the heck is, let's wish the new DS Automobiles the best of luck putting the Spirit of Avant-Garde to the motoring public.

Photo: PSA Peugeot Citroen

My souffle for September - the DS4

Doesn't look more souffle to me

This is the souffle of the Forza Motorsport 4's September Pennzoil Car Pack, well not exactly a souffle to us unless you remember the souffle girl last weekend's. This is the Citroen DS4 and some people say that this is somewhat the French alternative...to the Alfa Romeo Giulietta.

I was really bothered about this but the one that FM4 featured here comes with the THP 200 engine, the one that the Peugeot RCZ have and believe it or not, this one's not as good as the Alfa Giulietta when I tried. Sure, the Giulietta is all about the finesse and the touch of class but for this one...plenty of style but no cider. The steering's a bit heavy, it's a bit harsh, and as observed, feels like I overcooked my favorite souffle for the souffle girl. 

A mountain to climb for...

That gave me an interesting idea. Instead of comparing this to the Giuletta because as I'm sure I know, the Giulietta will easily slit the DS4's throat in terms of speed and handling, I would rather compare this one to the Citroen from the past.

Citroen C4 VTS

This one is the old Citroen C4 VTS. The one that was used as Sebastien Loeb's rally car from the past until it was replaced by the DS3. When the second generation C4 came, the Coupe was discontinued and furthermore, Citroen has stated that the DS4 is not intended as a successor to the Citroen C4 Coupe.

First up, the drag race. Remember the DS4 comes with the RCZ's THP 200 engine which produces more power than the old C4 VTS. However, it's heavier than the C4 VTS. Top speed for the new DS4 with the THP 200 engine is 235kph while for the old C4 VTS can go about 227kph. Let's see if we can translate science into speed with a quarter mile drag race...

So, the DS4 has done that but now, let's translate science into track times at the Top Gear Test Track and I need a driver and I have one. Some say he believes that Christmas is a load of @#$%....and he is...




The Citroen C4 VTS did it in 1:36.668 while the Citroen DS4 THP 200 did it in 1:35.495 so to be honest, it did better than the old C4 VTS but sadly though, I am not happy with the burnt souffle with some eggs to exterminate. I mean, imagine if I put an egg to the passenger seat of the DS4, you know that this would be a childish science experiment to analyze its handling and grip. The only way that the egg's going to be EGG-STIR-MINUTE-d is when you handle it too hard or some rough oversteer.

In short, I didn't like the DS4 because of its heavy steering but as a decent alternative to the old C4 VTS, you'll know that this works quite well.

DS4's Rage

Citroen DS4

2012 Citroen DS4

With the success of last year's Citroen DS3, the first of Citroen's new DS (Different Spirit) line that characterizes more of a "premium youth" sub-brand, (much like Hyundai's Premium Youth Lab), the second book of the Citroen DS line begins and this time, it was based on the second-generation Citroen C4. Called DS4, the second runner of the Citroen DS range was heavily based on the Citroen DS High Rider Concept as seen at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. Unlike the Citroen DS High Rider Concept, which has three doors on it, the Citroen DS4 is essentially a 5-door hatchback, noticeably the secret rear doors similar to the Alfa Romeo Giulietta hatchback. Is this what they called the successor of the axed Citroen C4 Coupe? The French car enthusiasts said "non" (French for no) because one hint at the Citroen DS4's secret rear door and they'll be ready to burst out their POV (points, opinions, violent reactions) why the production version of the DS High Rider concept added an additional two doors. Is the DS4 suppose to be the three door version of the Citroen C4 II? Forget about it, but still it was worth it because the DS4 is all about premium styling targeted for the "premium youth" in France.

2012 Citroen DS4 interior

The premium interior of the new Citroen DS4 is outstanding because of the high-tech features loaded on it. Although it was heavily derived from the Citroen C4 II, the DS4 made some modest order-made touches, and also take note, the highly luxurious front seats on the DS4 Sport Chic, in order to bring out its premium sedan-like amenities at the heart of this prestigious French 5-door hatchback. Now, if only France-tan would love to see this.

With France-tan steals the show with its gorgeous exterior, the Citroen DS4 offers six engine types such as the VTi 120, THP 150, THP 200, HDi 110, HDi 165, and the all-new e-HDi 110 loaded with micro-hybrid technology sourced from the Citroen C4 II. The micro-hybrid technology loaded on the Citroen DS4 e-HDi 110 provides the exceptional Idle Stop and Go function, which allows the diesel engine to be automatically shut off when stopped at the red light. There are three kinds of transmissions available on the DS4, depending on the variant, such as a 5-speed manual for those who are getting a head start at the DS4, a 6-speed manual transmission applicable for the hardcore DS4 owners, and the electronically controlled 6-speed manual transmission with paddle shifters.

My comment:
Despite it was a production version of the Citroen DS High Rider Concept, the Citroen DS4 was essentially a 5-door hatchback because of the secret rear doors similar to its biggest opponent, the Alfa Romeo Giulietta. This is becoming a bad news for those who want to know that the DS4 is the replacement of the Citroen C4 coupe. As I thought, it was a "promise unfulfilled" for the enthusiasts but despite that, I'm really impressed about the DS4's elegant exterior that makes it more luxurious than the Alfa Romeo Giulietta. Consider it a good choice but for the pricing, the DS4 takes a minor damage against the Alfa Romeo Giulietta. It's up to you to decide how far the DS4 goes.

Photo: PSA Peugeot Citroen