The first ever Citroen DS manufactured in 1955 pretty much set the benchmark in futuristic design. It was the highly advanced hydra-pneumatic self-levelling suspension which established its fame. When it was launched at the Paris Motor Show the company took 12,000 orders on the first day.
To celebrate the 50th birthday of the DS in 2005 a procession of 1,600 of them drove past the Arc de Triomphe as a stark reminder, if one is needed, of ardent French nationalism. Five years later the company reintroduced the nomenclature with the relatively small DS3 and it won the Women's World Car of the Year supreme award in 2011 among many other accolades. The DS4 model followed - and to prove how pragmatic the French are in not bothering with fancy car names - along came the DS5.
If there's an overall description of the DS5 it's a combination of a coupe and an estate car, or an executive car that suits the family. Aesthetically the designers have cleverly managed to make this 21st century DS carry some of the distinctive DNA of the first DS but in modern guise. Traces of the aviation-inspired design of the original can also be found inside this new DS5 with its two centre consoles, one of which is on the roof.
The 1.6 litre engine is turbocharged, fuel injected, economical and very efficient. Seats (always superbly comfortable on French cars) come in leather for both the diesel and petrol versions.
The DS5 is a beautifully crafted touring car. A couple of (male) motoring writers have whinged a little about the steering 'under pressure' while probably trying to thrash the thing into submission. What's wrong with the delight of being able to drive competently and comfortably in a well-designed automobile without having to take it to its limit?
