DS4: New premium French for the Gulf

The French brand DS now wants to establish itself in the important compact segment. A lot depends on whether that succeeds. Because when the new DS4 in the volume-strong golf class takes into success, not only for the sales figures a lot of won, but also for the awareness of the relatively young label.

Namely, the two letters do not tell each one. We help: Originally, DS was a product line of Citroën. In 2015, the carriage took place to a separate brand of the PSA Group, which also belonged to Peugeot, Citroën and Later Opel. When PSA at the beginning of 2021 with FCA (including Fiat and Jeep) to the Stellantis Alliance merged, DS was assigned a place in the premium area within the trademark hierarchy.

very classic and as cross

According to DS7 Crossback, DS3 Crossback and the Great Sedan DS9, the 4.40 meter long DS4 moves into the portfolio as a fourth independent model. He is offered in two body variants, as a classic five-door and as a cross, which farts in the style of an SUV coupe.

Two times DS4: left in classic design, right as cross. Manufacturer

The golf itself is not even, at which the DS4 wants to. Rather, he sees himself at eye level with the premium representatives of the segment, with Mercedes A-Class, so, BMW 1er and Audi A3. Compared to these elites, a few unique selling points can not hurt. DS therefore emphasizes the French moments on the DS4, from Parisian luxury, Savior Free and Hate Couture is the speech. At the same time, the quality seal Made in Germany leads to the field. For the DS4 is produced in the OPEL parent plant Rüsselsheim, where the advertisement advertised and closely related Opel Astral L is also run from the band. As a further descendant of the EMP2 platform, the Peugeot 308 brings itself to position.

Fine work in detail

The DS designers may be granted that they have made a very good job. Sharp lines, three-dimensional grille in the diamond look, narrow matrix LED headlights, flush door handles, on request 20-inched wheelhouses — such ingredients add to a crossover outfit that looks sporty-muscular enough to obtain optical presence, On the other hand, but also elegant that there is no too rustic attitude. The look with fine details — the enamel ornament produced in the screen printing process in the rear window, for example or the small DS logo in the C-pillar.

DS4 interior: optional with luxury such as massage seats, 690 watt sound system from Focal and acoustic side windows. Manufacturer

To the phonetically accident-free description of the interior design, you should then control the French or at least its debate again. Terms such as CLOUS de Paris GuilloHoGung falls, which describes a special surface finish — or bracelet finish, with which seat covers are meant to reminiscent of a metallic watch strap.

In a stylish style reduced, the interior acts, the pursuit of luxury underline at least in the more demanding equipment variants high-quality materials such as soft Napa leather, carbon or ash wood. Because buttons or buttons would disturb the tidy look, many functions — steering wheel and seat heating — for example — have withdrawn into the touchscreen, which is not always beneficial. However, clever assistance makes the small touchpad in the center console that allows you to access infotainment & co. Instructions can also be dared by hand. And finally, there is still the open ear of the language assistant reacting to the call Iris.

No farewell to diesel

Noble: CLOUS de Paris guidance is called the form of surface finishing visible here. Manufacturer

During the drive, the DS4 is classified. It means: He serves as a gasoline engine (96 kW / 130 hp and 133 kW / 181 hp) as well as — which is no longer of course — as diesel (96 kW / 130 hp). In addition, there is the plug-in hybrid e-tense 225, which brings it to a system performance of 165 kW / 224 hp and with its 12.4 kWh battery on an electric range of 55 kilometers. All variants work with an 8-speed automatic.

Normally, the e-tense can be electrically tackled the e-tense after printing on the start button. On our first test drive, however, the comber has switched off, probably it was at the November cold temperatures. In hybrid mode, the software organizes an unobtrusive back and forth between both drive worlds; The exclusive driving with electricity (EV mode) can also be saved, the E-SAVE function allows you to retain electrical energy for ten, 20 or more kilometers. Also recuperating the e-tense controls, the switching stub must be pulled to B. And the 7.4-kW on-board loader makes it possible to charge the battery within an hour and 50 minutes.

Reads the street

With pride, DS also refers to various technical features that can not offer everyone in this class. The infrared night review system, for example (equipment dependent 1200 to 4800 euros expensive), the part-based drive-assist or the Active Scan Suspension (1000 Euro, series in the e-tense), which reads and the Reads and the Damper hardness adjusts accordingly. This works pretty well and makes the DS4 successfully for the gentle glider. But the system can not align the coarse distortion of the extensions neglected by the road construction office.

Perspective: 2023 If a purely electrical DS4 is to come, from 2024, the brand wants to focus on e-models. Manufacturer

Far, the price range drops out at the DS4. 28,900 Euro for the basic model Bastille with small petrol engine, which sounds relatively harmless. Included in the price, however, it is not really much — the Safety Pack with traffic sign recognition, lane support assistant and tempo mat, for example, or the automatic climate control. The diesel and the plug-in hybrid e-tense make only from the second level Bastille + mobile, with the big gasoline, it must be at least rival, then you are already at 44,400 euros, though with 19-inch aura wheels, Keyless system, head-up display, leather, matrix LEDs and additional driving assistants such as cross-traffic warning, adaptive tempo or high-speed cars. And at the top of the pricing scale, the e-tense ranks in fine La Premiere filling equipment, 52,500 euros he costs and is almost twice as expensive as the beginner. At all, the buyer should have some leisure and patience cost to work through the variety of equipment lines and the times individually, sometimes in the package, for some model but also not bookable extras.

By the way: the seal of approval Made in Germany is not applied so offensive in France as with us. The national pride of our western neighbors does it more comfortable when the DS4 remains a Frenchman with them.