New DS4 brings elegant looks to the crossover market

French premium car-maker DS Automobiles has added a fourth ‘goddess’ to its line-up.

The new DS4 crossover is unveiled this week ahead of arriving into UK showrooms in November in a variety of power-trains – including a plug-in hybrid – priced from between around £25,000 to £40,000.

Spoken in French, the letters ‘DS’ sound like the French word for ‘goddess’ and hark back to the original classic and curvaceous Citroen DS of the 1960s.

The new DS 4 is the fourth new stand-alone ‘DS’ in the range since it was launched six years ago and follows the DS 7 Crossback, DS 3 Crossback, and DS 9.

DS Automobiles’ is the premium brand spun off from sibling Citroen with the aim of introducing a new generation of ‘avant-garde’ design. Both were part of the Peugeot-Citroen PSA group which last month following a mega-merger became part of the much larger Stellantis group which also includes brands such as Fiat and Chrysler.

Standing 4.4 metres long, 1.8 metres wide and 1.5 metres high, with a striking grille and riding on wheels of up to 20 inches, the new DS4 aims to make a statement on the road.

There are three versions: the standard DS4, DS4 Cross and the top of the range DS4 Performance Line.

Powering the DS4 is a range of powertrains promising a top speed of up to around 140mph with 0 to 62mph acceleration in 8.5 seconds.

These include PureTech petrol engines in 1.2-litre 130hp and 1.6-litre 180hp and 225hp; a diesel BlueHDi 1.5-litre 130hp engine; and a frugal but powerful plug-in hybrid petrol electric set up producing 225hp. 

The battery-powered plug-in hybrid set-up comprises a turbocharged 180PS 4 cylinder petrol engine linked to 110hp electric motor with a range of more than 30 miles

All are linked to 8-speed automatic gearboxes.

The new DS4 features very slim projector headlamps feature a combination of matrix and directional lighting, complimented by daytime running lights made up of two lines of LEDs on either side – 98 LEDs in total.

As an exclusive option, the DS 4 Cross variant gets advanced traction control for improved grip with sand, snow and mud modes, plus hill assist descent control.

The more dynamic DS 4 Performance line has an exterior trimmed in black and distinctive black alloy wheels.

A luxuriously snug, calm, modern and uncluttered premium interior trim – with elements inspired by fine watchmaking – is part of the ‘avant garde’ or cutting-edge vanguard touch. Materials include a variety of leathers, Alcantara, forged carbon, wood, enhanced by new soft-touch fabrics and upholstery techniques.

Hi-end audio systems and a hi-tech air purification system aim to make life on the move as relaxing as possible with interior air purified in minutes and air-quality displayed on the dashboard.

For busy families on the move or singletons and couples with an active lifestyle is a 430 litres boot with hands-free opening and a powered tailgate. 

A hi-tech head-up display uses new immersive technology to project important driving information ‘directly onto the road’. 

The firm notes: ‘Using an optical illusion, data is displayed four metres ahead of the windscreen diagonally following the driver’s gaze at 21 inches.

‘Essential information such as speed, driver aids, navigation, warning messages or even the track they’re listening to or the call they’re taking will be projected onto the road.’

A 10-inch infotainment system, voice and gesture control, and level two semi-autonomous driving – the highest level that’s allowed on the road at the moment.

The company says: ‘The cruise control adapts speed depending on the traffic flow with the ability to stop and restart in traffic jams. The system also ensures precise car positioning in the lane of the driver’s choice.’

It also has semi-automatic overtaking, speed adjustment for corners and anticipated speed recommendations from signposts.

The steering wheel features a grip sensor that continually checks if the driver is active because they should always be in control.

New ‘Radar Corners’ enable long-distance blind spot monitoring (with a range of 75m) and rear traffic warning to avoid a collision with a hazard in the blind spot.

A ‘night vision’ option uses an infrared camera in the grille to spot pedestrians and animals up to 200 metres away at night and in poor light as they flash up in the digital display and head-up display

It is also a relatively green machine with 95% of DS 4 made of reusable materials and 85% recyclable parts. Nearly a third (30%)of its weight is from renewable or recycled metals and plastic polymers. The dashboard alone is made of 20% hemp for parts that can’t be seen.

Thierry Metroz, design director of DS Automobiles said the finished product had been inspired by the DS Aero Sport Lounge concept car, noting: ‘The outline is athletic, very muscular, compact and sits on very large wheels. It’s turned out to be aerodynamic, efficient and charismatic all at once.’

The DS marque was launched as a stand-alone brand in 2015 and aims ‘to embody French luxury savoir-faire in the automotive industry’.

The firm says it is ‘designed for customers looking for personal expression and eager for new technologies.’

It adds that it is ‘driven by the spirit of the avant-garde and backed by an exceptional heritage – that of the 1955 DS’.