GENEVA MOTOR SHOW: Citroen finesses its DS flagship

Citroen has revealed a substantially revised version of its flagship DS model, the DS 5, ahead of its world debut at the Geneva motor show on March 3 and its Australian release late this year.

Key additions for the upgraded DS 5, which follows the facelifted DS 3 due on sale here next month and the facelifted C4 expected Down Under by mid-2015, include fresh exterior styling, a revised interior with more comfort and technology, a more powerful diesel engine and revised suspension.

Due in European showrooms from June, the 2015 DS 5 brings a new front-end design that makes it the first vehicle to wear the DS badge in its grille, as part of the French car-maker's plan to make DS a stand-alone brand from Citroen.

"The New DS 5 is more than just a new car. It is the car introducing our brand identity. Sixty years on from the original DS, the new DS 5 carries all the genes of DS. Above all, it is a clear statement of our ambition: to revive the tradition of French premium vehicles," said DS CEO Yves Bonnefont.

The DS 5's new chrome-surrounded hexagonal grille, emblazoned with the DS 'Wings', is flanked by redesigned headlights, which also feature embedded DS logos, plus two signature light wings and a chrome 'sabre' that links the headlight to the windscreen.

Citroen says the DS 5's new signature headlights, which combine LED and xenon technologies with sequential indicators, will become a feature of all future DS models.

There are few apparent changes at the rear, where twin exhaust outlets are integrated into the bumper and "a rear light signature conveys a sense of luxury".

A new exterior paint colour – Encre Blue – rounds out the exterior changes.

Inside, the DS 5's aerospace-inspired cabin features three light wells (sunroofs), new 'watch strap' upholstery in two-tone black and sapphire blue, and new DS monogrammed trims on the doors and central console. Citroen says the DS 5 is one of the few cars to offer a choice of three types of leather, including full grain nappa leather and semi-aniline leather, which is fitted to one in every five DS 5s sold globally.

There's also a new colour touch-screen infotainment interface to control everything from navigation to music. The latest-generation screen includes new Mirror Screen technology, which lets users mirror smartphone content onto the colour screen, and is controlled by 12 fewer buttons on the centre console.

However, Europe-only features like Mapping Pack — which locates the vehicle, displays journey details and information on vehicle use if it is loaned to another driver – and Tracking Pack, which geo-locates the vehicle in the event of theft, will not be available in Australia.

Blind-spot monitoring joins the DS 5's already extensive equipment list, including swiveling headlights, static cornering lights, hill-start assist, stability control, intelligent traction control, a reversing camera, head-up display, electric memory massage seats, keyless entry/starting, heated exterior door mirrors, an electrochromic interior mirror, ambient lighting, automatic interior lighting, dual-zone automatic air-conditioning and an optional Denon HiFi system.

In chassis terms, Citroen says new shock absorbers with a longer compression stroke and preloaded linear valve (PLV) technology limit sudden changes in damping force to produce a more linear damping curve and reduced vibration and suspension noise. "As a result, the new-look DS 5 soaks up bumps and dips in the road more effectively," it claims.

Finally, the 2015 DS 5 comes with an improved version of PSA’s BlueHDi 180 diesel engine, which is standard in Australia with a six-speed automatic transmission, now delivering 133kW of power and 400Nm of torque from 2000rpm – up 13kW and 60Nm.

The extra performance is the result of new variable-geometry turbocharger, which also helps reduce CO2 emissions and fuel consumptions to just 110g/km and 4.3L/100km respectively.