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

Citroen DS5

2012 Citroen DS5

2012 Citroen DS5 interior

This is what happens when this kind of Citroen was been beamed down from another world. Premiered at the Shanghai Auto Show in April and at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, this is positioned to be the flagship of the Citroen DS range. With the success of the three-door DS3 and the five-door DS4, the new Citroen DS5 is the flagship vehicle that will suit their everyday lifestyles.

When most people saw this on the news portion of Series 17 Episode 2 of BBC's Top Gear, Jeremy Clarkson once said that the DS5 is a good-looking hatchback. It's true that the Citroen DS5's design flow is really captivating but it the top is somewhat resemble of a straw hat worn by most Chinese. Possibly though, the design is rather too Chinese rather than being a French luxury shooting break.

The Citroen DS5 offers a first-class interior that is well-trimmed, well-balanced, and touching to accommodate five passengers. This is an all-original interior made specifically for the executives who wanted to take some time off from work. However, it seems that there are so many buttons on the dashboard that some find it confusing, few find it very unique. This is like some kind of a concept car that Citroen created for everyday lifestyles. Like a well-tailored suit, the DS5's interior is accommodated to the owners' unique needs. For the best sound experience, Citroen teams up with Denon for their unique Hi-Fi system and 10 speakers to create realistic sound quality that is truly a work of art. This Denon Hi-Fi option is available at some DS5 variants.

The Citroen DS5 is not essentially based on the C5 because of the naming, it uses the platform lifted from the Peugeot 3008. Depending on three lines; Chic, So Chic, and Sport Chic, customers can choose either a 1.6L THP 200, 1.6L THP 155, 2.0L HDi 160, and the 2.0L e-HDi 110 engine with micro-hybrid technology lifted from the new Citroen C4. However, the crowning glory of the Citroen DS5 is the HYbrid4 technology, first applied on the 3008 HYbrid4. With the 2.0L HDi diesel engine and the electric motor combined, it produces 200PS of power, 450Nm of torque, 0-100kph in 8.6 seconds, 211kph of top speed, and combined fuel economy of 24.4km/L (4.1L/100km). It is mated with a six-speed paddle shift transmission. The DS5's HYbrid4 has four modes to choose from at the twist of the knob. First is the Auto mode that makes the whole system automatically controlled for balance. Second is the ZEV (Zero Emission Vehicle) mode that allows the DS5 to run only in Ni-MH battery, providing a cleaner driving on the road. Third is the 4WD mode that makes the DS5 go anywhere from tarmac, gravel, and snow. Lastly is the Sport Mode that provides maximum engine response, making it more fun to drive than conventional hybrids.

Available in eight colors: Gris Hurricane, Noir Perla Nera, Gris Galena, Hickory, Gris Aluminum, Bleu Philae, Vapor Grey, and Blanc.

My comment:
This is the second diesel-hybrid vehicle PSA Peugeot-Citroen has ever made since the 3008 HYbrid4! Looks like this flagship model has high potential to challenge against the conventions of hybrid vehicles and this DS5's shaping up to deliver first-class comfort, first-class performance, and all-round economy that you would trust it. It's cool if you bring the DS5 on a midnight trip on the roads of Shanghai, China...



Photo: PSA Peugeot-Citroen