VIDEO: New Citroen, sorry, DS 5 is aiming high

The new DS 5 is the first standalone ‘DS’ model to be launched. It might be made by Citroen, but it is now officially simply a DS.

The new model is now officially on sale here and, in the circumstances, it was interesting to note that the press release heralding the DS 5 bore no mention whatsoever of the parent company.

Its manufacturer — Citroen, but whisper it — tell us the new car is defined by its avant-garde styling and it combines dynamic performance, refinement and attention to detail with a range of advanced technologies.

“New DS 5 embodies all the attributes of present and future DS vehicles,” we are bluntly told.

The bottom line here is that Citroen — sorry DS — are aiming high with this car and firmly fixed in the cross-hairs will be such as Mercedes, Jaguar, Audi and BMW.

Quite whether it will achieve that lofty aim remains to be seen.

DS Automobiles — for it is they and not Citroen, after all who make this thing (allegedly) — say their newly face-lifted flagship “introduces the brand’s stand-alone identity.”

In the flesh, that actually means that the car gains a new front end as well as numerous other revisions that, the manufacturer insists “make it a true DS.”

Quite whether the flagship model will have punters queuing up on the back of a new front end design, new DS Automobiles branding, a range of new features, new trim levels and the latest Euro 6 engines (from Citroen) is open to question.

We will be testing one here soon and will have further thoughts on the success or otherwise of this project at that point, but what we know right now is that the DS 5 will feature two trim levels — Elegance & Prestige — and will offer a choice of three BlueHDi Diesels and a Euro 6 compliant Hybrid 4x4 drivetrain.

Sixty years on from the unveiling of the original DS at the 1955 Paris Motor Show, we are told, there will also be a new DS 5 ‘1955 Limited Edition’ version available to celebrate the occasion.

It will come specified in a new ‘Ink Blue’ body colour, with unique 1955 badging. It is based on the Elegance trim level and offers additional equipment as standard, including ‘Criollo’ semi-aniline ‘watch strap’ leather seats and DS LED vision headlights.

The 1955 Limited Edition is priced at €44,345 and is fitted with the latest BlueHDi 180 S&S EAT6 Auto powertrain, which achieves CO2 emissions of 116g/km.

The entry level model, the DS 5 Elegance BlueHDi 120 model will be priced at €36,045 and we will have a full review in the coming weeks.