Surprising, attractive and having personality, the CITROËN DS5 fits perfectly with CITROËN’s “Créative Technologie” baseline. It constitutes a new phase in the development of the DS line, out to conquer new territories. This might be the reason the car made its debut at the Shanghai Auto Show…

Hans Knol ten Bensel

An aerodynamic sculpture with natural appeal

The CITROËN DS5 is based on the futuristic and magical C-SportLounge concept car. The objective was to take the game to a new level, but this time in the shape of a mass-produced car.

The looks of the DS5 are original. The body looks like a shooting break possessed by the spirit of a Gran Turismo.

The assertive front end instantly identifies the DS5 as a member of the DS family with an oversized air intake, a large, chrome-finished grille housing the chevrons and topped by the DS line emblem, and an incisive gaze underscored by the LED light signature.

The sculptural, eye-catching flanks play with light and shadow. Light is reflected in a tapered chrome-finished sabre stretching from the top of the headlamp to the windscreen, while shadow is cradled in the curves of the rear wing – a distinctive characteristic of DS line vehicles.

The rear end takes the DS5’s on-road presence up another notch. The car stands firmly on wide tracks, emphasised by two tail pipes built in to the rear bumper and highlighted by a rear signature featuring six light guides.

Charismatic cabin

The CITROËN DS5 is equally charismatic inside, with a remarkable cabin fully consistent with the exterior styling. The driver-focused driving station merges coupé seating with Gran Turismo design, expressed in a vertical steering wheel with a broad wheel centre, a raised floor and a wide central console housing a gearstick positioned in the natural continuation of the driver’s forearm.

There is a combination of finest-grain Club leather and metal together with exclusive designs like the watchband seat upholstery, a signature touch of the DS line and unique on the market.

Beyond compromises…

The DS5 is a standout vehicle designed to go beyond the traditional compromises between driving pleasure and ride comfort.

Motorists increasingly want cars that are easy to use day to day but do not want to make any sacrifice on driving sensations.

The intelligent design of the DS5 opens up new horizons with its pioneering architecture:

a sleek, compact body (4.52 m long, 1.85 m wide) and driving position worthy of a Gran Turismo coupe, a roomy boot (up to 465 litres VDA) reminiscent of a Sportwagon and

five real seats, four doors and all the access and modularity of a hatchback

Technology at the service of well-being

For stable and efficient roadholding, it is equipped with a CITROËN innovation, intelligent traction control, coupled with ESP.

 And to stay connected in all circumstances, it also features the CITROËN eTouch service, a safety system available in the majority of launch countries including localised emergency and assistance calls.

The DS5 is also fitted with two new functions. A miniature camera built in to the interior rearview mirror is used to automatically activate and deactivate the high-beam function according to lighting conditions and surrounding traffic. It also boasts a new-generation, more predictive video lane departure warning system (LDWS).

The first CITROËN with Hybrid4 technology

The DS5 is the first CITROËN to be powered by Hybrid4 technology, a full-hybrid drivetrain combining the road performance of an HDi diesel engine with the efficiency of an electric motor. The result is dynamic driving sensations – 200 bhp, four drive wheels, electric city driving, acceleration boost function – and low CO2 emissions of just 99 g/km.

Stirring your imagination…

The CITROËN DS5 stirs the imagination with its design and stylistic inspirations.

Last but not least due to the aeronautics-inspired atmosphere, particularly evident in the cockpit roof, organised into three wells of light creating an original and personalised lighting ambience day and night.

The main controls are grouped on the vehicle’s central axis with two central consoles, one low and one on the ceiling. The controls come in the shape of push buttons, scroll wheels and toggles, manipulated “pilot-style” and certainly fuel for the imagination.

Driving in the limelight

Driving the CITROËN DS5 is a quasi-theatrical, stage-like experience. LED lighting gradually lights up the cabin and a simple push on the START button brings the interior to life. The transparent Head-Up Display screen activates, projecting essential driving information (on speed, cruise control/speed limiter recommendations, navigation aid) in colour into the driver’s line of sight. The digital displays and the dial needle spring into action. And the ambient lighting plunges the driver’s station into a universe of reds and whites. The journey has begun.

The DS5 made its debut in white pearl…

On its debut on the motor show inShanghai, the CITROËN DS5 appeared in a one-off livery, expressing all of the CITROËN brand’s expertise.

The elegance of the body styling is underlined by grey chrome detailing and dark lacquer touches.

The cabin of the CITROËN DS5 White Pearl was designed in a “lounge” spirit with warm tones. Premium materials and top-level upholstery work contribute to an atmosphere of refinement and well-being.

The cabin is lined entirely in ebony-coloured full-grain leather, contrasting with silver-flecked overstitching. The brand called on techniques from the hand-crafted leather trade, from the pleated silk on the door panels to the embossed DS motif in the links of the “watchband” seats.

Interior detailing was painstakingly worked using high-end materials, such as the decorative inserts in Markassa ebony and the metallic reflections of the fascia, created by applying several layers of lacquer.

The result is a bold creation, made to amaze and attract…

As the manufacturer puts it, the DS5 is an innovative response to people who embrace the pleasure of driving an outstanding vehicle.

It combines driving pleasure and shared well-being and marries everyday ease-in-use with an intense motoring experience. It pushes back the limits of design, comfort, refinement and technology. The DS5 offers indeed a definitively new take on the premium automobile. 

The DS5 can be equipped with 1,6 petrol engines with powers varying between 156 and 200 HP, and Diesel engines from 1560 and 1997 cc ranging from 110 to 163 HP. The Diesel + Electric DS5 has 200 HP (163 + 37 HP). More on this remarkeable car soon…

Hans Knol ten Bensel