The new DS INSIDE concept
There has been a bit of a feud here within the DriveWire team of late. The cause of which has been the aesthetic merit of the classic Citroen DS. So with impeccable timing, Citroen will be unveiled “DS INSIDE” concept at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show.
Citroen says that the DS concept will provide “clear evidence of Citroen‘s positive thinking” and the Company has also announced that it will be launching brand new models at the rate of one every six months for at least the next three years.
A classic DS
This time around, the DS tag stands for “Different Spirit”.
From a team headed up by British designer, Mark Lloyd, the DS INSIDE draws obvious (but watered down in my opinion) design cues from the original car and the derivative DS3 is planned for production in 2010 followed successively by the DS4 and DS5. The models will be positioned as premium models in the small, medium and large car segments.
Another classic DS depicted being stolen from the Jetson family
Commenting, Xavier Duchemin, Managing Director of Citroen UK said: “At a time when some are postponing or cancelling future models, it is very exciting for us and our potential customers to see that Citroen is looking forward positively to when the current, undeniably tough, times are over. Our display at Geneva showcases both what is to come, including the exciting Citroen C3 Picasso, as well as our current range which continues to offer buyers excellent value, environmentally sensitive and stylish options for today.”
The late Marty Feldman - also a challenging design?
Hmmm, we‘ll see...
As for the DS – the jury is still out on the aesthetic design merits. Make no mistake - I'll defend Citroen to the hilt, in terms its history of automotive innovation. Countless engineering advances have been made by the company - the DS itself possesses the first production example of hydro-pneumatic suspension; a derivative of this concept is still used on many cars including the current Range Rover.
To be fair to Citroen it does appear to be attempting to recapture those heady days when it led the car industry in terms of innovation.
Citroen is also famous for its bold car body designs, of which the classic DS is one and have made some sensational looking cars. I just don't agree that this is one of them.
Just to recap, our resident rust-head David Mason says that the DS is beautiful – I also think it‘s beautiful but in a more challenging “Marty Feldman” kind of way.
What are your thoughts – should the DS be resurrected or reburied?
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maso
In every poll about the worlds most desirable cars it finishes in the top 5, there is no controversy over the beauty of the DS, a design that lasted 20 years where a change to the door handles counted as a serious facelift, is there any car from the 70s that looks as modern as it never mind the 50s.
No other saloon ever comis into the most desirable polls being the the preserve of the sports and concept cars, we have to get you in one Bob so you can see for yourself
Paul Green
The last time I spoke to him, they were planning a rally from England to Australia, complete with airlifts where required.
I thought it looked a pretty cool car tbh, even by today's standards.
Bob Hume
I can't see anything that's visually appealing about the classic.
Honestly, it's a bug-eyed, hunchback surplus prop from Forbidden Planet.
maso
Despite thinking its a beautiful car I have to admit it reminds me off the "Sam the Eagle" character from the muppets
so is this new range going to be like Muppet babies, not trying to be the same, maybe a catchy tune but really you wish they hadnt bothered, Im always suspicious when a firm does two ranges in the same market, it suggests that theyre deliberately making one range not as good as they can.
Chris
It was quickly adopted as a symbol by everyone from French chic artists and movie stars to gangsters and even politicians it was readily adopted as a symbol of progress by the French state.
For those who are interested in the context in which this car sat check out a classic shot from Goddard's 'Le Weekend', a film which shows the gamut of contemporary and aging cars in late 60's France. In this film there is a 5 minute plus tracking shot of a line of honking traffic on a French country laneway in which we are shown a few of these classic Citroens which even in 1967 looked amazing compared with the other mostly French, British, Italian, German and even the odd Amercian behemoth thrown in.
It has been been a long time since i've seen one in the flesh but for me it is up there with original VW beetle in terms of a car which is synonymous with a brand. Some might argue for the 2cv here and fair enough, this was probably another of Citroen's masterpieces of appropriate design and flexibility.
I for one welcome any innovation in car design and wish that manufacturers such as Citroen would try to lead rather than just following the German manufacturers in the 21st century.
maso
Captain_Grumpy
The new "DS" (God how would I manage without the grumpy inverted commas?) is nothing of the kind. The new "DS" 3 makes me think of a new "Mini" that some guy in Delhi has tried to turn into a facsimile of a Pug 206 (remember that ad) by hitting it with a cricket bat.
Shitroen have lost it completely. Verdict:- Cynical badge engineering ploy.
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