autoevolution
 

Segment: Medium
Production years: 1973, 1974, 1975

CITROEN DS23 1973-1975
CITROEN DS23 (1973-1975)

The DS was one of the most revolutionary cars ever made. Citroen launched it in 1955, but its evolution didn't stop there. In 1973 the model received the most advanced version: the DS23.

After a few facelifts, the DS came to its final evolution in 1973. Its original designer, Flamino Bertoni, didn't live long enough to assist with that, but the evolution brought the puzzle's final piece, which made the car even more desirable.

While the initial model featured exposed, round headlights, the latter evolutions brought the covered headlights with the inside's directional lamp. The aerodynamic shape was kept, and it still looked more advanced than most of the cars on the market due to its fluid lines and sloped short back.

Inside, the DS, and especially the top-trim level DS Pallas, featured wide seats at the front and a bench in the rear. Due to its long wheelbase, there was plenty of room for five passengers. Worth mentioning that Citroen designed the car so France's president, General Charles DeGaulle, could fit in, and he was 1.96 m tall (6.4 ft).

Citroen installed a new, 2.3-liter engine under the hood, either with a carburetor or with a fuel injection system. The latter was a novelty on the market, and people were still skeptical about its reliability and performance. But the 15 hp difference between the two engine choices and its lower fuel consumption proved its value. Both versions were paired either with a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed semi-automatic gearbox.

CITROEN DS23 1973, 1974, 1975
  2 gasoline engines
  • 2.3L 5MT (117 HP)
  • 2.3L 5MT (132 HP)

CITROEN DS23
2.3L 5MT (117 HP)

ENGINE SPECS - 2.3L 5MT (117 HP)
Cylinders:L4
Displacement:2347 cm3
Power:86 KW @ 5500 RPM
117 HP @ 5500 RPM
115 BHP @ 5500 RPM
Torque:135 lb-ft @ 3500 RPM
183 Nm @ 3500 RPM
Fuel System:Carburetor
Fuel:Gasoline
PERFORMANCE SPECS
Top Speed:111.2 mph (179 km/h)
TRANSMISSION SPECS
Drive Type:Front Wheel Drive
Gearbox:5-Speed manual
DIMENSIONS
Length:193 in (4902 mm)
Width:71 in (1803 mm)
Height:58 in (1473 mm)
Wheelbase:123 in (3124 mm)
WEIGHT SPECS
Unladen Weight:2903 lbs (1317 kg)

CITROEN DS23
2.3L 5MT (132 HP)

ENGINE SPECS - 2.3L 5MT (132 HP)
Cylinders:L4
Displacement:2347 cm3
Power:97 KW @ 5250 RPM
132 HP @ 5250 RPM
130 BHP @ 5250 RPM
Torque:144 lb-ft @ 2500 RPM
195 Nm @ 2500 RPM
Fuel System:Electronic Injection
Fuel:Gasoline
PERFORMANCE SPECS
Top Speed:117 mph (188 km/h)
TRANSMISSION SPECS
Drive Type:Front Wheel Drive
Gearbox:5-Speed manual
BRAKES SPECS
Front:Discs
Rear:Drums
TIRES SPECS
Tire Size:185 HR 15 XAS
DIMENSIONS
Length:193 in (4902 mm)
Width:71 in (1803 mm)
Height:58 in (1473 mm)
WEIGHT SPECS
Unladen Weight:2948 lbs (1337 kg)
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