Citroen maintains its DS stance

It started with the Citroen DS HighRider concept at the 2010 Geneva motor show, and continued with hints this car would be basis for the upcoming DS4.

Now, it continues further with the announcement on August 31 of more DS4 details prior to the real McCoy's unveiling at the Paris motor show opening on September 30.

The second in the French company's reinvented, new-generation DS line, the car that will debut in Paris has five doors where the HighRider had three, confirming expectations detailed in our story in April this year.

Roughly VW Golf-size but standing a fraction taller (1.53m compared with 1.48m), the DS4, apart from being a five-door, is a virtual dead-ringer for the Citroen HighRider, with its heavily accented wheel arches and chunky but tallish stance. It is consistent with Citroen's claim that it combines elements of coupe and SUV. Wheel sizes as large as 19 inches will be available.

The DS4's suspension comprises MacPherson Struts at the front, with a transverse beam doing a more or less basic job at the rear.

The three-door look is partly maintained through the use of hidden rear door handles. Citroen claims the rear seat will comfortably accommodate three. Although the company's "capacious" description for the hatchback's 370-litre boot is perhaps a little generous, the capacity is fine for a small hatch -- better than Golf's and approaching that of the current Ford Focus.

A feature that is becoming something of a Citroen signature is the over-the-top windscreen providing as much as 45 degrees of upward vision.

A new e-HDi "micro hybrid" drivetrain, that is available at launch with just one engine variant, uses Stop & Start, a reversible alternator that re-starts the engine and charges the battery during braking, and a super-efficient electronically controlled gearbox. Citroen claims the micro hybrid can reduce fuel consumption and emissions by as much as 15 per cent in "built-up urban environments."

The DS4 will be offered with the choice of five Euro 5-compliant engines: Two turbodiesels and three petrol engines, including a new 147kW four-cylinder. All will be available with Citroen's six-speed manual or EGS transmissions.

Diesels comprise an HDi 110 (the only engine available in e-HDi form) and an HDi 160. The three petrol engines are the VTi 120, THP 155 and the new 147kW/275Nm THP 200. The latter's CO2 emissions are quoted at 149g/km.

The DS4 will be optionally available with some upmarket equipment including, for example, massaging front seats and the ability to select from three air-conditioning flow levels. There's also an advanced audio system with "effective soundscaping, distributing high quality, authentic sound evenly throughout the cabin."

Safety technology includes a blind-spot monitoring system, follow-the-road front fog lights and the "eTouch Assistance System" that automatically calls emergency numbers if necessary.

The Citroen remains at this stage as a front-wheel drive, although it is believed a full-blown hybrid version with electric drive for the rear wheels is waiting in the wings.

Although local pricing and specifications are not yet known, the Citroen DS4 is expected to go on sale in Australia and New Zealand in the third quarter of 2011.

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