Anniversary edition DS 5 is a visual standout.
One day I’m going to find a 1955 Citroen DS in immaculate condition and show it to someone who has absolutely no interest in cars. I will tell them it’s a prototype of a 2016 Citroen and ask their opinion on the stunning styling. It will come as no surprise to me if they accept that the 60-year old French car in front of them is going to be launched next year.
Those who do know their cars are still stunned that such a futuristic model was launched at the Paris Motor Show just on 60 years ago. And we smile at what it must have looked like to those who were present when the covers were pulled off the Citroen on the Show’s press day.
Almost 1.5 million Citroen DSs variants (not all were called DS, but let’s not get too far off the track) were built over the next 21 years, several hundred of them in Australia at an assembly plant in Heidelberg, Melbourne.
In 2010 Citroen decided to introduce a new model range called the DS Line in honour of the original DS. Based on the underpinnings of several Citroen models, but with fascinating new styling to make them stand out from the crowd, the first model was called the DS 3. It was followed in 2012 by the first DS 5.
Now, a limited edition DS 5 Anniversary has been introduced to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the startling launch of the DS in Paris in October 1956.
It’s hard to imagine this Citroen DS is 60 years old.
Over the standard DS 5, the Anniversary edition adds over $7700 worth of specification for just $3000 more, at a recommend price of $59,990, and includes a truly standout DS roof sticker featuring the DS logo, 19-inch Cairns alloy wheels in a gold colour and Premium paint. Even if you’re not planning to buy a DS 5 it might be worth a trip to a dealer just to check out the roof!
The introduction of the 60th anniversary DS 5 also sees a major facelift and an increase in equipment levels to the rest of the DS 5 range. There are LED headlamps including daytime running lamps and indicators, as well as LED foglamps. The rear has twin tailpipes integrated with the rear bumper.
The new-look DS 5 can be identified by a frontal styling that draws inspiration from the original DS of 1955. It has a sculpted, vertical grille proudly bearing the DS Wings, an emblem of the DS brand and a nod to the original DS. The chrome surround is another blast from the past when all cars took pride in chromed brightwork. Love it on the DS 5.
The standard new DS 5 now has as many items that were previously either not unavailable or sold only as extra cost options. The DS 5 D Sport has a recommended retail price of $56,990. Over the outgoing model it features a more powerful turbo-diesel (133 kW of power and 400 Nm at 2000 rpm); 18-inch alloys in place of the previous 17-inch units and blind spot monitoring. Inside, there’s a new 7-inch touchscreen, and digital DAB+ radio,
All DS vehicles have a six year, unlimited distance warranty, six years capped price servicing and six years roadside assist.
Just 30 of DS 5 60th Anniversary editions have been allocated to Australia. If you’re a keen follower of the famed French marque it might be an idea to move quickly to secure yours.
