Citroën DS5

Citroën DS5
Overview
Production	2011–
Assembly	Sochaux, France (PSA Sochaux Plant) Shenzhen, China (Chang'an Automobile Group)
Body and chassis
Class	Compact executive car
Body style	4-door hatchback
Platform	PSA PF2
Related	Citroen C4 Picasso Peugeot 3008
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,727 mm (107.4 in)
Length	4,530 mm (178.3 in)
Width	1,871 mm (73.7 in) (2,128 mm (83.8 in) with mirrors)
Height	1,504 mm (59.2 in)/1,513 mm (59.6 in)
Kerb weight	1,500 kg (3,307 lb)

The Citroën DS5 is a compact executive car by French automaker Citroën that was launched for the European market in November 2011.^[1] It is the third model in the new premium (Luxury vehicle) sub-brand DS and runs alongside its mainstream cars. The DS5 was revealed at the 2011 Shanghai Auto Show in April 2011.

Details

Although Peugeot and Citroën products have shared platforms and principal components since the closing decades of the twentieth century, the DS5 became in 2011 the first Citroën branded car to be assembled in Peugeot's lead European plant at Sochaux.^[2]

The DS5 mixes hatchback and estate styling resembling a shooting-brake. The styling was influenced by the C-Sportlounge concept car shown at the 2005 Frankfurt Motor Show. It is 4,530 mm (178.3 in) long and 1,871 mm (73.7 in) wide, dimensions that are similar to those of the Lancia Delta. This is hardly a coincidence: the DS5 is based on the PF2 platform as 3008 is too, not on the C5 as its name would imply.

Like the original concept car, its interior is heavily aviation inspired and available with two centre consoles - one of which is located on the roof directly above the other. With a head-up display in front of the driver, the cabin is designed to resemble a jet aeroplane. Emphasising its links to aviation, and the original Citroen DS model, the carmaker recreated an old photoshoot of the car with Concorde.^[3]

Buyers are able to choose between a turbocharged petrol and two diesel engines, but the drivetrain that Citroën is focusing on is PSA's diesel-electric Hybrid4.^[4] It marries a 163 hp 2.0 HDi diesel engine with a 37 hp (28 kW) electric motor mounted on the rear axle and sends the power to all four wheels as it is needed. Depending on trim level, this powertrain emits 99g/km or 107g/km CO2, and the car can drive on electricity alone if the battery is sufficiently charged. It is also worth noting that the DS5 will be the first Citroën with a hybrid drivetrain, and the first production car with a diesel-electric hybrid drivetrain.

A hybrid convertible Citroën DS5 was chosen by François Hollande for his investiture parade as President of France.^[5]

Reviews

The Guardian's Martin Love reviewed the DS5 giving the car a positive review towards the design. However he also mentioned that the DS5's gearbox feels jerky. ^[6]

What Car? has reviewed the DS5 giving the car a 2 out of 5 stars complaining that it rides poorly for an executive car. The readers however gave the car 4 stars.^[7]

Top Gear reviewed the car during October 2011, they gave the DS5 a 7 out of 10, they approved the cars design. ^[8]

Awards

• The DS5 Hybrid4 has won the Best Eco car from the Scottish Car of the Year 2012 held at Glasgow on the 14th October 2012.
• The DS5 won Top Gear (magazine) "Family Car of the Year 2011".

Sales and production

References

External links

Media related to Citroën DS5 at Wikimedia Commons