Citroen to revive the DS – sort of

The Citroen DS is one of the most evocative Citroens ever. Designed by Bertoni, it was a futuristic looking, technically advanced (with hydropneumatic suspension) car that sat at the top of the Citroen range.

It went on to spawn the legendary Citroen SM – a Maserati powered ‘Supercar’ – and its place in Citroen’s history is assured as the most significant model produced by the French manufacturer (together with the 2CV, at the other end of the cost scale).

So it seemed like good news when we heard that Citroen was to revive the DS marque. But sadly, it doesn’t seem so. Instead, Citroen is to do what Ford did with Ghia – take a once legendary marque and bastardise it to give some much needed kudos to lesser cars. Oh, well.

So Citroen are to introduce a new range to sit above the C3, C4 and C5. They say the cars will have ‘Striking design and Luxurious appointments’, which could be interpreted as new skins but based on the ‘C’ models. The first concept, the DS3, will show at Geneva in March, so we’ll see then just what they’re like.

But my money’s on a tarted up C3. Shame on them if that’s what we end up with. Sacrilige!