CITROEN DS LINE GROWS WITH NEW DS4

Citroen’s DS4 has been shown off in official pictures. Information is also available to those looking for someone chic and different in the medium-segment hatchback market. The DS4 falls into Citroen’s new DS Line of cars defined by a mix of premium and sportiness. Case in point? The smaller DS3. And like the DS3 is based on the C3, the DS4 is based on, you guessed it, the C4. Follow the dotted line and you’ll realise that at the end of the rainbow is a DS5 in waiting. Yes, that will be based on the excellent C5.

For now though it’s the DS4’s time to shine and boy does it shine. Look at those lines, the coupe-like body with its slightly raised stance, the blend of “bold and beautiful” on the front grille, chrome inserts, LED lights on the front end, muscular wheel arches and a distinctive rear end.

The dashboard is driver-focussed with more chrome as well as leather peppered on it. Aluminium is also used on the foot pedals and the embossed leather door handles add a touch of class. Major differentiators from the C4 are the two rear seats, which make the DS4 a 2+2 four-seater.

Engines sent off from launch include an HDi turbo diesel worth 118kW and a 147kW THP petrol kicking out 275Nm. All the cars can be mated with either a 6-speed manual or an EGS (Electronic Gearbox System) transmission.

The new DS4 will appear in public for the first time at the 2010 Paris International Auto Show in September and go on sale in Mzansi in early 2011.