The heavily revised DS 5 is available from 1 July, and will cost from £26,980. The updated model is the first in Europe to be badged solely under the DS brand, a decision taken by owner Citroen last year. The price represents a significant increase from the outgoing starting point of £23,260.
Described as a flagship model for the brand, the facelifted DS 5 gets new styling and technology as well as a new generation of diesel engines badged under the BlueHDi banner.
There will also be a limited edition at launch, called the 1955 edition, which pays homage to the car’s original unveiling at the 1955 Paris motor show.
While the styling of the updated DS 5 is described as evolutionary rather than all-new, Citroen says it has given the model "expressive and hypnotic" design cues.
Chief among the styling changes is the new front end, which carries new headlight designs - taken from the DS3 and DS3 Cabrio - which, Citroën says, will become a design hallmark of future DS models. Also new is the grille, which for the first time features the DS logo in place of Citroën's classic chevron design.
At the rear, new twin exhausts are incorporated into the reprofiled rear bumper. The new model offers 468 litres of storage space in the boot with the rear seats in place (a slight improvement over the current car), extending to 1290 litres with the rear bench folded flat.
The new infotainment system, dubbed Touchdrive, has allowed designers to adopt a buttonless approach for the DS 5's centre console. The set-up also uses MirrorLink technology, which makes smartphone integration easier. Apple Carplay integration will also be added further down the line.
Buyers can choose from a range of six engines at launch, including the 90g/km Hybrid 4x4 (renamed from the current Hybrid4 model).
The carried-over petrol options include the THP 165, which comes with engine stop-start technology and is coupled to a six-speed automatic gearbox. The engine produces 165bhp at 6000rpm and a maximum of 177lb ft and returns 47.9mpg with CO2 emissions of 136g/km. This engine is available only with the Elegance trim. A new 210bhp petrol option will be added in the second half of 2015.
The diesel offering features BlueHDi 120, 150 and 180 engines. The BlueHDi 120 has headline outputs of 118bhp, 221lb ft and 104g/km of CO2, with fuel economy rated at 74.3mpg. While available initially with only a six-speed manual transmission, a six-speed automatic option will be added in the second half of 2015.
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DS appearance over substance.
How long will the current DS range be 'cutting edge'?
They're not even cutting edge now, right at the time they're introduced.
So much for brand identity when it's built on a lie.
I want this car to succeed...
Looking lost