Citroën DS
The Citroën DS (French pronunciation: [si.tʁɔ.ɛn de.ɛs]) is a front mid-engined, front-wheel drive executive car manufactured and marketed by Citroën from 1955 to 1975, in fastback/sedan, wagon/estate, and convertible body configurations, across three series of one generation.
| Citroën DS | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Citroën |
| Also called |
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| Production |
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| Assembly |
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| Designer | Flaminio Bertoni |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Executive car (E) |
| Body style |
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| Layout | MF layout |
| Related | Citroën SM |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine |
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| Transmission | 3-speed automatic 4-speed manual 5-speed manual 4-speed semi-automatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 3,124 mm (123.0 in) |
| Length | 4,826 mm (190.0 in) (saloon) 4,991 mm (196.5 in) (estate) |
| Width | 1,791 mm (70.5 in) |
| Height | 1,464 mm (57.6 in) (saloon) 1,537 mm (60.5 in) (estate) |
| Curb weight | 1,270 kg (2,800 lb)(saloon) 1,384 kg (3,051 lb) (estate) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Citroën Traction Avant |
| Successor | Citroën CX |
Marketed with a less expensive variant, the Citroën ID, the DS was known for its aerodynamic, futuristic body design; unorthodox, quirky, and innovative technology, and it set new standards in ride quality, handling, and braking, thanks to both being the first mass production car equipped with hydropneumatic suspension, as well as disc brakes. The 1967 series 3 also introduced directional headlights to a mass-produced car.
Italian sculptor and industrial designer Flaminio Bertoni and the French aeronautical engineer André Lefèbvre styled and engineered the car, and Paul Magès developed the hydropneumatic self-levelling suspension. Robert Opron designed the 1967 Series 3 facelift. Citroën built 1,455,746 examples in six countries, of which 1,330,755 were manufactured at Citroën's main Paris Quai de Javel (now Quai André-Citroën) production plant.
In combination with Citroën's proven front-wheel drive, the DS was used competitively in rally racing during almost its entire 20‑year production run, and achieved multiple major victories, as early as 1959, and as late as 1974. It placed third in the 1999 Car of the Century poll recognizing the world's most influential auto designs and was named the most beautiful car of all time by Classic & Sports Car magazine.
The name DS and ID are puns in the French language. "DS" is pronounced exactly like déesse, lit. 'goddess', whereas "ID" is pronounced as idée ('idea').