Citroen

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The C-word is banned with new versions of the DS5

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The DS5 started with a Citroen badge on the grille but ever since the upmarket five-seater was given a facelift in the summer the C-word has been banished.

Just why Citroen don’t want the DS to be associated with the brand is a bit of a mystery. After all, the French manufacturer has a long traditional of building slightly off-the-wall cars.

It worked for Toyota when they launched Lexus and, perhaps to a lesser extent, when Nissan added the luxury Infiniti to their roster. And so the DS brand is born – or reborn.

The DS5 certainly feels nothing like any other Citroen. Sitting inside the cabin is more first class than economy, more retro cool than everyday drive.

The next step is reading the user manual because I’ve never seen so many buttons and dials splattered across the dashboard and even across the roof…

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Too cool for school? We test drive the latest Citroen DS5

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You wouldn’t buy a DS 5 for its gripping performance and dynamic drive. This roomy five-door doesn’t cut it as a driver’s car but wins hands down for head turning looks and a certain retro Gallic style.

Compared to rivals like the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes C Class, the DS is very pretty indeed. It’s the least exciting of the trio to drive but the trade off is you will enjoy seeing it parked on the driveway day after day after day.

Citroen facelifted the DS 5 back in the summer, with new headlight clusters and that big DS badge in the middle of the grille.

There are now just two trim levels, Elegance and Prestige, plus a range of diesel and petrol engines, including a diesel-electric hybrid too.

Our mid-range 150 HDi comes between the entry level 120 and the 180bhp versions. None of them are quick but in return it’s blessed with amazing economy and low emissions.

Unconventional and slightly oddball, the DS 5 will give us plenty to ponder over in the week ahead…

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Citroen’s DS 3 waves two fingers at the retro look – instead opting for modern, urban chic

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It’s hard not to like the DS 3. While other manufacturers follow the retro route for their urban runabouts, Citroen has instead opted for chic, modern appeal.

The latest Mini has been ruined by the designer’s pen, recently morphed into an overweight city car. The Fiat 500 has sporned numerous bastard offspring that should never have seen the light of day. But the DS 3, well, it looks the prettiest of the three.

I’m not sure the five-speed gearbox in our diesel DS is the best choice and both rear seat legroom and boot space is only average. However, it’s spacious up front, trim materials are mostly good and the equipment list is exceptional.

Enthusiastic drivers will find the 1.6 model lacking but there are plenty of ‘hot’ DS models to tempt you. Overall, a smart little car that lives up to the visual promise.

Tomorrow we take to the road is the Subaru BRZ. Think Mazda MX-5 fun but in a coupe package…

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Damon Hill on the hill… What you can’t do in a McLaren

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I spent yesterday storming up the famous hill-climbing course at Goodwood with former F1 champion, Damon Hill. And yes, the headline will no doubt read ‘Hill On The Hill’ when the article appears in the FT.

We had been provided with a McLaren 650S – a £220,000 supercar of quite epic proportions. However, what bemused both Damon and myself was the fact the McLaren was too good to wheelspin!

The photographers wanted tyre smoke but despite out best efforts, the 650S just refused to oblige.

No such worries with the DS 3. It may only sport a humble diesel engine but it does have a proper handbrake and no traction control. So, you can do so much more in a Citroen!

 

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I’m missing sat nav in the DS 3 – motoring writers are spoilt with their test cars

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I can only assume the chap in the Citroen press photo is lost – perhaps wondering why the DS 3 he’s driving doesn’t have sat nav as standard…

One of the dangers of being a motoring writer is that you usually end up testing a vehicle loaded with extras. This week’s Citroen doesn’t have sat nav, probably the first car I’ve driven this year without it. Add around £1,000 if you are interested.

Things I’m liking about the DS 3 are the blindingly good headlights, the easy access to the rear seats despite only three doors, and a decent sized boot.

I’m not liking the lack of DAB radio, the fiddly Bluetooth set-up and some rather cheap feel trim inside the cabin. It’s odd. Some of the materials in this hatchback are top notch – others are cheap and nasty.

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The Citroen DS 3 has Pat Butcher ear-rings – crazy coloured door mirrors

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The DS 3 is a sister car to the C3 supermini but that’s where the comparisons end – the DS is more of a lifestyle choice than its sensible sibling. Like a racey relation in a Victorian novel, the DS is from the naughtier side of the family.

Well that’s how it’s supposed to look on paper. The DS has the Pat Butcher ear-rings – contrasting coloured door mirrors – and rather a lot of shiny chrome bits on the dashboard.

Buyers can customise the interior trim with a choice of dashboard colours and seat trims. Even the gearknob offers you multiple choice. In fact, you could spend a week on the Citroen website designing your perfect DS3, then delete and start again.

All the extra bits add up though – so don’t get too carried away as you click down the spec sheet…

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The Citroen DS 3 is a car for fashionistas to drool over. It just doesn’t drive that good…

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I think I’ve sussed the DS 3 already. While it bows to the trend for fashionista’s to personalise their car with a zillion different options and styles, it doesn’t have the drivability of the best superminis.

Shame really because I’ve already developed something of a soft spot for the bling white thing park outside. It looks great both inside and out.

But while alloy wheels and purposeful looks scream performance, the Citroen’s handling and steering just don’t live up to that promise.

I know there are faster, more ‘sport orientated’ DS 3s out there but the basic underpinnings of the range are all the same.

Our diesel makes a lot of noise when you push it hard. That combined with general road noise in the cabin make the interior uncomfortable at times.

Still, compared to a Mini or BMW 1 Series, it does represent great value for money…

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Somebody stuffed the Citroen DS 4 so we’re riding in a DS 3 instead

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Sometimes in this job it’s difficult not to compare the car that’s just been delivered with the vehicle that is on it’s way back to the test compound. So it was yesterday.

The shiny red Audi TT was leaving Car Couture and being replaced with a Citroen DS 3 (it was meant to be a DS 4 but somebody stuffed it on its last outing).

Yes, I’m supposed to be neutral and keep an open mind but I know which car I’d like to drive to Goodwood next week – and it’s not this French hatchback. Or so I thought…

OK, so the TT costs almost twice the price of the Citroen and is a proper sports car. The DS 3 meanwhile has a badge that harks back to the company’s glory days but is otherwise a small family hatchback with ear-rings.

I’m going to try and keep an open-mind I promise. It’s comfortable, spacious and much cheaper than a Mini too. There, I’m back to normal now…

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Citroen Cactus – Funky, French and Lots of Fun (just needs a warmer engine!)

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Funky, French and fun – not your dream girlfriend but the new Citroen Cactus. As Car Couture waves goodbye to another test car today, there’s no doubt this unusual crossover is going to be a massive hit in the UK.

The appeal goes way beyond those padded air cells on the doors too. This is a car that dares to be different and most importantly, it’s well within reach of many new car buyers.

The futuristic design also gives a big hint of what we can expect from Citroen over the next five years. It won’t be to everybody’s taste but Skoda, Ford and Vauxhall should be running scared.

We think it needs a more sprightly engine but perhaps a lukewarm version is on the cards. For now, the Cactus is going to give mainstream car makers a spikey wake-up call…

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Citroen Cactus – Quirky Bench Seat Option Is A Throwback To The Sixties

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Those of you that are still growing hair probably don’t remember cars that had a bench seat up front. Imagine that – one enormous seat that stretches from door to door!

Back in the sixties, cars like the Ford Consul and Zephyr were equipped with such luxuries. There were rarely safety belts, so you can imagine the consequences of sitting a child between two adults in the middle.

The Cactus can be tweaked up to have a bench seat too, although it’s definitely not for a third passenger. It’s just one of several quirky features inside the car that raises an eyebrow.

Others include leather strap door handles and a minimalist dashboard, with most functions controlled from the touchscreen unit. It all works beautifully, except for the driver’s seat, which seems to have restricted for-art adjustment. No idea why but it even makes me feel ‘tall’ at 5ft 10ins…