Citroen DS5 HDi

While some European car manufacturers have come and gone and returned o the Australian market many times, French car maker Citroen has the longest unbroken sales record of  them all.
For 90 years Citroen has sold continuously in Australia, from the versatile little 2CV,  the remarkably innovative Traction Avant of the late 1940s, to the astonishing DS, with features unheard of in the 1950s.

 

When unveiled to a stunned and delighted public at its Paris launch, more than 12 thousand orders for the DS,were placed on that very day, such was the effect it had on jaded buyers looking for something different.
The spiritual successor to the DS (or Goddess as it became more commonly known) with its unique hydro-pneumatic suspension, is Citroen's large family sedan, the C5, one of my favourite cars and a much underrated one.
Citroen has had outstanding rally successes over the decades and remains a popular marque for rally enthusiasts, winning many accolades in the WRC series.
A few years ago, Citroen revamped its small car range with the C4 and later the DS series.
I have driven most of them and was mightily impressed.
Once regarded as " quirky," which was part of their charm, Citroen's new DS crop is still very much an avante garde style leader.

This is the DS 5, and what a stunning looking car it is. Styled like no other, in the French tradition, it's a masterpiece both outside and in. Sweeping chrome spears adorn the front fenders, matched by similar chrome treatment on the door sills.
If ever a car deserved to be called a work of art, it's the DS5.It was named Top Gear magazine UK's Family Car of the Year in 2011.
The attention to detail both inside and out is incredible. The trim stitching, fit and soft touch surfaces everywhere, just some examples. 
Citroen has packed so much into this car. It has the equipment levels and quality, of luxury competitors at more than twice the price. Which by the way, is also astonishing..a little over 51K for this diesel and 48 for the petrol model.

What you get for your money is a list of features longer than anyone's arm and unheard of in a car at this price point.
There are three separate (fixed) moon roofs, two in front and one for rear passengers.
Their sun shades operate from a  natty, sweeping overhead aircraft styled console, which also contains twin sunglasses holders and the adjust button for the heads up windscreen display, showing speed and cruise settings. There are both analogue and digital speedos.

 

The "watch strap" quality leather seats are hand made, and while not pillowy cushions, feel just right.
The driver's pew has three memory settings, and a useful lumbar massage function. Both front seats are heated.
The Denon sound system is among the best I have heard. 8 speakers produce outstanding clarity.

Visibility is good, from front quarter vent windows in the double A pillar, to fully glazed C pillars, the entire glasshouse provides ample 360 degree views, despite the DS5's low roofline.
Yes, there are quite of lot of switches and knobs on the fascia and elsewhere, but they're not that puzzling and it doesn't take long to work out what does what. Ambient lighting at night in the doors and footwells, adds to the car's appeal.
 

The 2 litre turbo diesel in this test car has 120 kw and 340nm, delivering about six litres per 100 kilometres on the combined city/highway cycles.
The DS5 weighs 1600 kilos, and acceleration is brisk, not urgent, but that's fine, most owners won't be interested in traffic light grand prix. Quiet, unfussed cruising is its forte.
The six speed auto box can be used in manual mode for more sporty driving. 

The DS5 doesn't have the smooth, supple hydro-pneumatic suspension of the larger C5 and C6, and it's set up for a more sporty ride, firm, but not overly so.  The steering wheel has a flat bottomed rim similar to those on Audis and is grippy and comfortable to hold.
Feel is good and I liked the a strong self centreing action of the wheel when pressing on through tight bends. The DS5 sits wonderfully flat on winding roads, with no sign of misbehaviour. Corners simply disappear without fuss. At speed there's no discernible noise from outside (except for some faint tyre noise, depending on the road surface.) nor under the bonnet. Double glazed windows with privacy glass also help to minimise outside noise. A thick, foam backed boot floor mat further dampens any NVH issues.
All doors operate with keyless entry, and windows can be raised remotely using the key fob. The boot opens at the touch of a rubber knob beneath the tailgate. No spare tyre, as if often the case, but a quick fix kit is included. Boot space is deep but not overly large, however it will satisfy most owners with its 468 litre volume. More space to be had of course, when the rear seats are folded. The DS5's xenon headlights are dazzlingly bright on both low and high beams, with superior spread and penetration. The headlights themselves turn with the steering into corners and have washers for their lenses. Under emergency braking, the taillights flash and hazard lights are activated.

 

Before you lay down your hard earned, on a BMW, Mercedes, or Audi, I urge you to also consider the futuristic, dramatically styled and beautifully crafted, Citroen DS5.
I can almost guarantee you will be won over.
Peter Sellen