2015 DS Automobiles DS5 D Sport Review – An Intriguing Luxury Alternative
The skinny: Citroen’s luxury arm, DS Automobiles, is preparing to step out from the shadow of its parent company and become a stand-alone brand in its own right.
To start the transformation, the brand’s flagship saloon, the DS5, has been given a facelift that brings with it the new DS Automobiles ‘wings’ front styling, an adjustment to specification, and a new diesel powertrain.
Getting noticed as an alternative to the mainstream luxury brands will be no easy task, but a history that encompasses the impossibly gorgeous Citroen DS is as good a springboard as you'll find.
Vehicle Style: Medium five-door luxury hatch
Price: $56,990 (plus on-roads)
Engine/trans: 133kW/400Nm 2.0 4cyl turbo diesel | 6sp automatic
Fuel Economy claimed: 4.4 l/100km | tested: 6.8 l/100km
OVERVIEW
DS Automobiles isn’t being overly ambitious with its goals for the DS5 in Australia just yet. It understands that it has a long road ahead of it to gain recognition as a genuine luxury competitor to the likes of BMW or Lexus.
A slow roll-out of branding will take place between now and 2018, but the first step in launching the DS Automobiles brand comes with the revised DS5.
Essentially the same car that launched here under the Citroen banner in 2012, but now with a restyled front, featuring what will become the ‘DS wings’ family face.