Citroen DS4 unveiled

Citroen's stunning DS4 makes its debut at Paris Motor Show.

Auto Express Car Reviews

By Tom Phillips

August 2010

MEET the Citroen that’s riding high! This is the new DS4 hatch, which delivers on the style promised by the DS High Rider concept seen at this year’s Geneva Motor Show.

Following the DS3, which is based on the C3 supermini, the DS4 features a more extravagantly designed exterior than the C4 which underpins it. The newcomer measures 4.27 metres long, 1.81 metres wide and 1.53 metres high, making it shorter, wider and 10cm taller than the regular C4 and a little bigger than the MINI Countryman.

At the front, the hatchback wears the latest Citroen family face, that debuted on the C5. The extra chrome on the two-bar grille and the pair of boomerang-shaped daytime running lights add class, while at the side, generously flared wheelarches house 19-inch alloys, although smaller rims are available.

The coupé-like roof line and upswept shoulder line taper towards the rear, where the handle for each of the small back doors is hidden.

On the tail, the DS4 features a scalloped bumper with neatly integrated exhaust pipe exits.

The interior boasts higher-class materials than in the regular C4 hatch. Liberal use of chrome for the dials, leather on the dash and doors, plus aluminium for the pedals demonstrates the firm’s attention to getting the luxury details right. Buyers will be given the choice of five leather combinations. Top-specification cars feature hide trim designed to mimic expensive watch bracelets linked together. Meanwhile, every variant gets a panoramic windscreen which extends backwards into the roof line and helps bathe the cabin in light.

Also available is a high-end stereo system and front seats with a massage function. All cars come with a unique selection of four exotically named tones for the various warning sounds: Classic, Crystal Symphony, Jungle Fantasy and Urban Rythmik.

Despite the DS4’s style and luxury, practicality is still high on the agenda. The passenger door pockets have been enlarged, and a cooled centre console storage bin is standard fit. At 370 litres, the boot is larger than that of a Volkswagen Golf, too. Safety kit includes blind-spot monitoring and a speed limiter, fitted in accordance with the Safety Assist section of Euro NCAP crash tests.

Under the bonnet, the DS4 features a line-up of five engines. Diesel buyers can choose from a 110bhp 1.6-litre unit with e-HDi stop/start tech and regenerative braking, and a 160bhp 2.0-litre. There are three petrol choices, too: a 120bhp 1.6 VTi, and a pair of turbocharged 1.6-litre units with 155bhp or, in the range-topping car, 200bhp.

The DS4 goes on sale in the UK in early 2011.

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29 Comments

Stunning

What a beautiful car this is. Just goes to show the Germans how to design a car. Citroen are now going back to fantastic design and their innovative flair. Can't wait for this to hit the show rooms and then may be put in a order on one. Who said Citroen don't know how to build cars.

By THREEPOINTEDSTAR on 30 August, 2010, 12:47pm

So PSA now has to differentiate Citroen, the DS models and Peugeot from each other in a consistent way over the long term? And when Peugeot's sub-brand materialises, they'll have 4 in-house brands chasing overlapping market segments? Hmmm, will work on the first generation of models but will be difficult over the longer term.

By mark70 on 30 August, 2010, 2:15pm

From the rear it looks like the audi tt shooting brake concept, only better!

http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.seriouswheels.com/pics-2005/2005-Audi-Shooting-Brake-Concept-RA-1280x960.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.germancarblog.com/2005/10/audi-tt-shooting-brake-wallpapers-for.html&usg=__a6eBItAudLbgXUfhYypovbD1kVI=&h=960&w=1280&sz=217&hl=en&start=0&sig2=TVuMA9Ams5QuIw8KGrvJug&zoom=1&tbnid=oviuEK2Cj80vpM:&tbnh=135&tbnw=169&ei=ost7TMelEtOKONfWueUF&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dtt%2Bshooting%2Bbrake%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26biw%3D1280%26bih%3D707%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=126&vpy=78&dur=1282&hovh=194&hovw=259&tx=83&ty=98&oei=ost7TMelEtOKONfWueUF&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=24&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0

By koupekid on 30 August, 2010, 4:22pm

cool on the outside...

I like that despite every new car with the exception of the boxy golf/a3 looks like leon/mazda3/bravo/astra/giulietta/new focus/delta from the side, citroen has managed to give a design that "flows" without being overly dramatic. Simply good to look at. But the interior...

Damn I hated the new c4 design on the design with all the passion. A bit of pleather won't save it here.

By giorikas81 on 30 August, 2010, 5:09pm

Another boring car that looks the same as all the others

It saddens me that Citroën appear if anything to have dumbed down their normal flair and made a car that looks like a cross between an A3 and the new Scirocco.
The C4 was a better looking car.
I'm disappointed, and would buy a C4 over this rather boring looking alternative.

By Bugeye on 31 August, 2010, 7:05am

Nurses car

Excuse Me ..... Wheres the TURBO.. Vive La Volvo C-30 T5

By alan2221 on 31 August, 2010, 8:37am

Another Copy

How can anyone praise this car for its looks, its an amalgamation of the Scirocco and Astra. Its offering nothing new.

It has nice dials though :)

But hey its good to see Citroen trying.

By Neil_Magill on 31 August, 2010, 9:00am

ds4

absolutely beautiful!!! love it!!!

By oliviku on 31 August, 2010, 9:06am

good effort

Nice one, (alway's told not to use the word 'nice') How can one not design a car that in some way look's a bit like a another car in parts??
This thing IS a lot better looking than a lot of the other c@@p out there.

By bobsnicholson on 31 August, 2010, 9:45am

Good car I see before me

Just want to ask though... Do the lights turn with the streering, does the suspension go up and down and can you see sunlight through the roof. Two out of three and I'll believe it's a Citroen. However much better than previous like the original C4 which was the most mis-shapen car I've ever seen apart from the Multipla.

By craiglife on 31 August, 2010, 10:40am

Bugeye's vision

@ Bugeye: "Looks like a Scirocco" you wrote???
Sure, the Queens golden carriage looks like the X6 I drive.

Great looking car, this DS4

By 2hansome on 31 August, 2010, 11:54am

La Déesse!

DS4 may the the best compact hatchback design in decades. Hopefully this is going to be my next car.

By baris_purut on 31 August, 2010, 1:10pm

nice looking car

thats a great looking car Germans/Japs take note,poach Citroen's Designer to design your cars,then people wont have to LOSE their hard earned money on a heavy depreciating badly built French built car.

By nickbsmooth on 31 August, 2010, 3:57pm

I Like This

This is a nice looking car and that interior? I'd almost buy it just for that alone lol.

Yes, ok, there are references to the C4 about it but I don't think that's a bad thing. However, I don't see how some respondents can see Scirocco on there, that VW doesn't look anything like this, being as far as I'm concerned in an entirely different class.

But well done Citroen, I think this will sell well.

By nick7 on 31 August, 2010, 4:30pm

PS

Yes, there could be a hint at new Astra in the profile.

By nick7 on 31 August, 2010, 4:31pm

Oh Dear!

Well after the stunning and different looks of the three door DS Citroen have come up with this!! Ok, it's nice but not a head turner! Shame really.

By cubandco on 31 August, 2010, 5:25pm

When i see Citroens in the flesh.I'm always disappointed.
The also seem to date quickly.

By toycollector on 31 August, 2010, 5:40pm

This is the first time I m praising Citroen

Ok, DS3 is also sweet.

DS4.. everything seems to be just right and even, from some angles, better than the Germans.

ONE thing they should make different - the rear should be more like C4's sport model with rear window continuing under the spoiler because that's somehow so sexy and Citroenish.

By hubabuba on 31 August, 2010, 6:03pm

What am I missing?

So a two door C4 is suddenly 'stunning'? I think not. I don't know what you guys are on, but this car certainly doesn't do much for me! Plus I have owned a Citroen in the past so I obviously won't be making that mistake again! I like cars that stay in one piece and don't let in water. Fussy, eh?

By pajbse on 31 August, 2010, 6:06pm

Silly me

My comment above was made before I noticed it was a 4 door with those stupid 'hidden' rear door handles. How long do we have to wait before car manufacturers grow out of this stupid fashion. What are we supposed to think the rear shutlines are if it is pretending to be a 2 door?

By pajbse on 31 August, 2010, 6:10pm

Friday car

Trouble withe Citroen is that every car is a Friday car :)

By nickeroo on 31 August, 2010, 11:53pm

Am I the only who thinks this new model from Citroen looks a lot like a kind of chunky, urbanised, fed on hamburgers and fries 2010 Alfa Romeo Guiletta?

By TomTom on 1 September, 2010, 12:14am

Hidden rear door handles kick ass!

They improve looks so much...every coupe styled car looks better than normal 4 doors that's obvious I think? At least, I m buying cars partly because of the looks since I have to live with it some months/years. Thats how I m choosing my girlfriends also. Then one day when I have wife, there will be no more hidden things- it's Passat, Mondeo, Primera or similar.

Alfa Giuiletta could be perfect if it wouldn't be screwed with piggy front lights :( Why Alfa whyyy??

By hubabuba on 1 September, 2010, 5:01pm

"Trouble withe Citroen is that every car is a Friday car :)"

That maybe used to be, but it ain't so now.

By PedroConejo on 4 September, 2010, 7:01pm

The French chicks are hot but not their cars.

Someone said "better than the Germans"? God, you must be French. I'd take German engineering any day.

By DanielH on 6 September, 2010, 3:42pm

I like it! well resolved design for the most part. Lovely wheels, with what seems like a very nice leather interior as well. What more can you ask of any manufacturer in terms of a small/medium sized car at this likely price point. I'd say well done to any car company and its staff for creating a well designed car.

By daffney on 7 September, 2010, 1:30pm

Chic...

By stevie on 5 October, 2010, 9:12pm

Astra la vista, baby

Stunning car, from every angle. Gosh the French have some design flare, but shame about the reliability!! This gem makes the Bland Astra even more boring!!

By taaudi on 7 October, 2010, 11:08am

One for Jewelers & Watchmakers who previously bought VW Golfs.

One for jewelers & watchmakers who previously bought VW Golfs. Thankfully the DS3 has a genuine sense of style that was built in from day one (& not just added on). I'm just going to have to squeeze the family into that until Citroen gets its act together with its bigger cars.

By mjgray100 on 4 March, 2011, 1:59am

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