Fresh DS 5 goes it alone

PSA Peugeot Citroen has launched DS as a standalone luxury brand in Australia with the new-generation DS 5.

DS, synonymous with the Citroen brand for 60 years, has entered the limelight in an attempt to create a luxurious identity of its own. Its stated ambition? ‘To revive French premium vehicles.’

The flagship DS 5 is the first realisation of this ambition, with the intent to create a six-strong DS model family by 2020.

It will be followed by facelifted versions of the DS 3 and DS 4 – both sans Citroen badges – next year, and all three models will be sold by dedicated Citroen retail outlets located alongside existing Citroen dealerships, rather than the standalone stores seen in other markets.

PSA has taken lessons learned from the previous Citroen DS 5, streamlining the offering to a solitary variant fitted with the company's latest Euro 6 emissions-compliant turbo-diesel and six-speed automatic transmission.

This diesel-auto combination reflects around 90 per cent of DS 5 sales in Australia for the previous generation.

Priced from $56,990 plus on-road costs (up from $51,990), the single-variant DS 5 DSport will be joined by a limited-run 60th Edition. Only 30 are allocated to Australia, priced from $59,990 plus on-roads.

Both share the same ‘BlueHDi’ 2.0-litre four-cylinder power unit that generates 133kW and 400Nm, while consuming only 4.5L/100km on the combined cycle. It is also fitted with a fuel-saving idle-stop system.

Key specifications include black leather interior trim with electric seat adjustment for the driver and front passenger, a leather steering wheel and dash cover, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, colour head-up display, new 7.0-inch colour touch-screen with satellite-navigation and reversing camera, Bluetooth phone connectivity with audio streaming and six-speaker sound with DAB+ digital radio.

Keyless entry and starting, dual-zone climate-control and front/rear parking sensors add further convenience, while a three-part panoramic roof adds more style to an already-standout exterior.

Xenon headlights are augmented with LED daytime running lights and scrolling LED indicators, while front fog lights also offer a cornering function.

The new DS 5 DSport is priced some $5000 more than its predecessor, however, the heightened equipment level and advanced next-generation driveline is said to add more than $6000 of extra value.

Opt for the limited-edition and you gain a claimed $7700 worth of additional specification over the DSport for the $3000 price increase.

This variant adds ‘watchstrap’ leather trim, upgraded Denon HiFi, DS metal trim, roof sticker and mirror caps (except on white cars), golden 19-inch alloys and premium paintwork. As an aside, the majority of these are cost-optional on the DSport.

All DS models carry a six-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty with six years of capped-price servicing and free roadside assistance.

Head over to our Reviews section to read our first local drive review of the new DS 5.