If this imponent front fascia has rang some bells for you, you’re not wrong: this is the first production version of the design language whose debut was made last year with the Wild Rubis concept. PSA’s intention is to create clearer divisions between its marques, in order to operate in each market range with only one (avoiding internal competition) and to specialize each one in its respective section. That is, Citroën’s “C” line will be much more simple and rational, although still somewhat far from Dacia and Škoda. Peugeot, on the other hand, will focus on more sophisticated vehicles, creating a more discreet and elegant interpretation of sportiness to fight tougher rivals like Volkswagen. But now there aren’t only two of them.
Citroën’s luxury line is only turning five, but it already managed to be very successful. Since the parent marque became famous for its exotic designs, but at the same time it’s getting each time harder to apply them in today’s increasing worries with costs, restricting them to more expensive categories resulted “simply logical”. This is why the French group started to invest deeper on its upscale spin-off. DS entered the second part of its history, where it turns more independent from both “sisters” in order to attract customers which were looking specially for German vehicles. After an initial phase using “100% exotic” cars, DS now tunes the rationality a little up in order to make a stronger attack.
And how would be a more rational member of the DS line? This article’s mid-size sedan, which would make its automaker extremely happy if it ends taking customers from 3-Series, A4 and C-Class’s non-ecological and non-sporty variations. DS 5LS starts with very strong elements in the front, but the entire car is very different from the older DSs. It looks more solid, dropping the attention to details in favor of a more objective design. DS3’s floating roof, DS4’s fixed rear windows, DS5’s two central consoles… The sedan’s concept of luxury replaces that for elements capable of conciling the same great looks with practical use.
In other words, the style extravagances here are the three-dimensional light designs and some well-dimensioned chrome accents, not to mention gorgeous wheel sets. The cabin has only one official picture revealed so far, but it’s possible to see that it maintains the values exposed by the exterior. The console reminds of DS5 mostly for the elegant materials, instead of repeating the aviation-inspired design. Since the inside will be DS 5LS’s best attempt of seducing typical sedan buyers, investing on bold designs or unusual items would be an unnecessary risk to take. Starting with the 2.7-m wheelbase, the comfort is assured with features like high-quality materials and rear seats angled at 29 degrees.
However, the Chinese Citroën didn’t take the chance of releasing the first DS underpinned by PSA’s brand new EMP2 platform. Instead, DS 5LS uses the same PF2 structure which equips the group’s mid-size vehicles since 2001 (starting with Peugeot 307), in a stretched variation which also appears under DS4 and DS5. And just like their cases, it’s probable that PF2 was chosen in order to bring lower production costs – such strategy frees the company to offer more equipments as standard without raising the final price. This is why the sedan will feature items like LCD touchscreen, air ionizer and several electronic safety systems.
Expected to hit the Chinese streets in next March, DS 5LS will arrive at that country using six-speed automatic transmission and two gasoline engines, THP 160 and THP 200. They’re actually two versions of the same 1.6L propeller, which already equips a lot of Citroën and Peugeot vehicles and includes technologies like direct fuel injection and twin-scroll turbochargers. It wasn’t decided yet if this sedan will be offered in other countries, but it’s already known that it’ll be followed by Wild Rubis and Numero 9 concepts’s production versions.