Citroen Motors Ireland is hoping that the latest addition to its DS sub-brand, the all-new DS5, can shake up the premium executive market and tempt buyers away from Audi A4s and BMW 3 Series. The DS5 will cost from €32,500 and will initially be available with a choice of two diesel engines - a 1.6-litre e-HDi 110 and a 2.0-litre HDi 160 - with the diesel electric HYbrid4 due to arrive in May.
Citroen's six-speed EGS6 transmission is standard with the e-HDi 110 engine, while buyers of the higher powered HDi 160 are free to choose between a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. The 200hp Hybrid4, which mates a 163hp diesel engine with a 37hp electric motor, also comes equipped with the EGS6 transmission, but with four driving modes specific to Citroen's first hybrid model.
Auto mode allows the DS5 to make the decision on which powerplant to use; ZEV switches the car into purely electric mode for speeds up to 60km/h; Sport mode combines both units to deliver the full 200hp for more responsive acceleration; and 4WD is designed to offer more grip when required.
With Co2 emissions as low as 99g/km both the e-HDi and HYbrid4 qualify for tax Band A with the 2.0 HDi only fairing marginally worse with Band B. Citroen expects the conventional diesel engines to account for 90 per cent of sales with the HYbrid4, which starts at €42,050, taking the remainder.
Three trim levels will be offered - DSign, DStyle and DSport - and even in its most basic guise the DS5 comes equipped with keyless access and start, cruise control with speed limiter and memory settings, dual-zone climate control, front fog lights with cornering function, auto headlights and wipers and the Connecting Box Bluetooth system with USB socket. DStyle trim adds part leather seats, eMyWay satellite navigation system and the aviation style 'Cockpit' sunroof. Top spec DSport comes with heated leather seats with massage function for the driver, xenon lights, parking sensors and a head-up display.