AT THE WHEEL
Citroën DS7
We forgive you if you’ve got to ask: ‘What are DS automobiles?’ Well, for the purpose of this review, let’s call it a Citroën DS7. Yes, the famous 1950s Citroën DS, which used to squat down when parked and stand up on its hydraulic suspension as the engine was started.
Most of these cars that came to Sri Lanka ended up dead as they weren’t in sync with the local fluids that played havoc with their innards.
Hydraulic suspension gave the DS one of the smoothest rides found in any automobile. It was no doubt one of the most revolutionary cars of the 20th century, which also introduced cornering lights (headlamps that turned with the steering wheel). These are once more in vogue.
From around 2010, DS automobiles has been trying its best to distance itself from run-of-the-mill Citroëns in order to create a premium brand that is renowned for quality and craftsmanship. However, many don’t see DS automobiles in the same light as premium sub-brands like
Lexus and Toyota, or Infiniti and Nissan.
Even though the DS7 is closer to the Peugeot 3008 with which it shares many components (being part of the large PSA Group), aesthetically it seems to take inspiration from the Audi Q5. The headlamps and taillights are dead ringers for those on the Audi – except the fancy rotating LEDs at the front and prismatic bezel at the rear.
The DS7’s rivals are Jaguar’s E-PACE, BMW’s X1 and
Mercedes-Benz’s GLA-Class. And it seems that DS is trying to market itself as one with the lower segment price
but offering the larger segment’s value.
When you sit in the DS7, your first observation will be its high end materials and finishes. When you press the start/stop button, an analogue clock by famous manufacturer BRM rolls out of the dash and takes pride of place in the centre. And luxurious design touches are everywhere. The seats in our test drive car had bases that extend to support the thighs.
There is sufficient headroom too – even with the panoramic roof – for passengers whose height is less than six feet. For the rest, we suggest omitting the panoramic roof! The boot is spacious and there’s a false floor that makes the load space flat. The rear seats fold almost flat at the pull of a lever. The basic model comes with an eight inch infotainment system while the high end model has a 12.3 inch screen with Focal speakers.
Technology such as lane departure warning, active cruise control and night vision are also available in the
DS7. An infrared camera is used to scan the road ahead and adjust the suspension accordingly.
On our drive, we found the suspension to be softer than
some of its German competitors, which may be good news for some and not so for others. It’s without doubt a comfortable SUV but not the most comfy we’ve experienced. This also means that handling suffers – which may leave those who desire spirited driving and sharp handling rather disappointed. It’s best suited for cruising along and soaking up the bumps as you go.
The DS7 has adequate power rather than being able to scorch up the road and is comfortable as it’s reasonably well built (although we still need to test it for longevity).
It comes with loads of technology, and high end materials and finishes, almost matching those found in the
Mercedes-Benz S-Class and BMW 7 Series – although we feel it’s not only about incorporating expensive materials and technology. It’s a reasonable first attempt but not good enough to justify the high asking price for the ultra-prestigious grade.
As for the Sri Lankan market, you can count on depreciation being high, reliability turning out to be mediocre and parts being scarce. You’ll get long looks and quizzical gazes as people try to figure out what the DS7 is… so if that’s the kind of attention you desire, go for it!