Currently reading: Paris motor show 2010: Citroën DS4

First official pics and details of Citroen's sporty-looking five-door premium hatchback

Citroen has unveiled its new DS4 at the Paris motor show.

The lofty but sporty-looking five-door is aimed at shaking up the bread-and-butter family hatch market.

See all the official pics of the new Citroen DS4 - plus see the new Paris show pics

The DS4 is the second model in Citroën’s new DS range, after the highly successful DS3, and is a platform variant of the new C4, also at Paris. Citroën is hoping it will sprinkle some DS3 magic on the bigger hatch.

Compared with the Focus-sized C4, the DS4 is 60mm shorter, 40mm taller and 20mm wider. This makes for a taller driving position with better visibility and a squatter footprint for more stable handling.

With this theme in mind, the DS4 features a panoramic windscreen that is said to give the driver an upward view of 45 degrees. “Combined with the slightly raised stance, this provides optimised visibility for the driver,” says Citroën.

Although a tall driving position is usually associated with functionality, the DS4 is clothed in an upmarket-looking skin, the work of chief stylist Marc Pinson.

Read more on the Citroen DS4's development

Citroën describes the styling as “compact and muscular”, the sportiness coming from a pronounced styling bulge over each rear wheel arch, the short rear overhang and steeply raked rear hatch.

Despite this sharp styling, Citroën says the cabin will seat five. To enhance the sporty look, the rear door handles are hidden in the window surround, just as with the Alfa Romeo Giulietta.

The engine range is extensive, with five Euro 5 units — HDi 110 and HDi 160 diesels and VTi 120, THP 155 and THP 200 petrol units. The THP 200 will top the range, with 197bhp and 203lb ft from its turbo 1.6, as well as 149g/km of CO2.

Read more on the Citroen DS High Rider concept, including video from the Geneva motor show

A micro-hybrid based on the HDi 110 engine will feature stop-start and a smart alternator able to recover energy during braking.

All engines will be available with either manual or robotised manual ESG ’boxes. The micro-hybrid will feature revised gear ratios for the best fuel economy.

UK sales will kick off in autumn next year and prices are likely to be at a premium over the C4’s. But as with DS3 buyers, DS4 customers are also expected to add a high number of options.

Julian Rendell

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Addy Go Fast 31 August 2010

Re: Citroën DS4 revealed

beachlandpowerof10 wrote:

i can almost see what you have done there, but i had to get a book out of the library to read up about on this type of humour, fascinating. did it take you long?

what's your inspiration?

look out for nobbyuk and and Jim Davidson on tour soon

You're really very rude and obnoxious aren't you Beachland?

I'm getting tired of your rants on here, particularly the ridiculous amount of sarcasm you employ.

I wonder why you seem to have various different login names on here, hmmm I wonder. Could it because someone keeps getting banned by Autocar for what they've been writing?

I am not sure if you listen to the radio Beachland, but if you do, tune into Talksport on 1089MW on a weekday between 10am - 1pm. The host is a chap called Mike Parry. Everything you say on here and the way you say it reminds me of him. Listen to him and you will see what I mean.

The Special One 31 August 2010

Re: Citroën DS4 revealed

beechland2 wrote:

ds4 is 1530mm according to some press release.

c4 is 1458mm so 72mm taller possibly.
That's roughly a 5 percent increase which is not massive but certainly not insignificant either. Of course it would affect handling, to what degree will only be seen in a road test. The usual increased torsional rigidity etc model on model should negate this effect.

NobbyUK 31 August 2010

Re: Citroën DS4 revealed

seaside wrote:
maybe you can understand that massive can be a subjective word used in context within the English language. for my context it suited my opinion. And i presumed could easily be read by others as how i intended it.

Hmm.
"Beechland is a 4-inch, patronising coq."
"Beachland is a massive, patronising coq."

You're right, Seaside - it's all to do with context.