French luxury brand DS is contemplating a bold reinvention with the potential launch of a revolutionary luxury sedan. DS chief Olivier François hinted at the development of an aerodynamically focused homage to the iconic Citroen DS from the 1960s. Despite its position within the Stellantis family alongside Vauxhall, Peugeot, Citroen, Alfa Romeo, and Jeep, DS has faced challenges in establishing itself in the premium market.
From 1955 to 1975, Citroën’s iconic DS and its close counterpart, the ID, epitomized cutting-edge luxury with their innovative self-leveling hydraulic suspension. Beginning as a marvel of technology, the DS evolved into a cherished relic of a bygone era, with surviving models revered as automotive icons. While Citroën explored successors in subsequent years, none have matched the original DS’s ambition.
However, there’s potential for a significant shift in this narrative. According to discussions with DS executive Olivier François, the DS brand, now independent from Citroën under parent company Stellantis, is contemplating ways to revive the spirit of the legendary DS within its lineup of electric vehicles (EVs). This revival may involve embracing the original model’s sleek aerodynamics, possibly including the distinctive covered rear wheels.
Furthermore, there’s speculation about a direct successor to the DS, positioned as a flagship model on the STLA Large platform shared with the new Dodge Charger Daytona. Such a flagship could mark a pinnacle in DS’s standalone brand history.
While the original DS prioritized comfort over speed, advancements in the STLA Large platform, such as support for multi-motor EV configurations and 800-volt architecture, could yield power outputs surpassing those of the Charger Daytona.
Leveraging this platform’s capabilities, a new DS model could potentially exceed the Charger R/T’s range, especially with enhanced aerodynamics and faster charging times. Yet, to truly capture the essence of the original DS, DS would need to offer not only distinctive design but also unique features. François hinted at the possibility of reintroducing a hydraulic suspension system, despite its complexity and cost, to deliver the hallmark DS driving experience.
He envisions the new model as large, luxurious, and remarkable, a modern embodiment of Art Deco elegance coupled with advanced technology. Olivier François’s timeline for the introduction of the new range-topper remains uncertain, but Stellantis has committed to launching eight vehicles on the STLA Large platform between 2024 and 2026.
This suggests that we might catch a peek at the new car, possibly in concept form, within the coming 12 months. Additionally, the significance of the original DS 19’s 70th anniversary in 2025 adds further anticipation to this potential reveal.