Photo: CarPix
Photographers stationed in Sweden have just captured the first shots of a DS 5LS completely undisguised on European soil. Designed and sold exclusive in China, the first-ever DS sedan has never been seen in France or Germany. That could be about to change. But hold on to your horses because European testing doesn't necessarily mean imports are on their way.
Yves Bonnfont, the CEO of the recently separated DS brand, has recently said his company to is to become the French equivalent of Audi. So far, he has mainly targeted China with this sedan and an SUV. But a total of 200 new stores scattered across the world will be opened this decade, including 30 somewhere in North America.
Of course, it will take many years to catch up to Audi, who sold over 1.7 million cars in 2014. So what does the DS 5LS have that an A4 sedan doesn't? For starters, it has style and in China it's always associated with designers, fashion, malls and the younger middle class.
The 5LS sedan is sold with a choice of a 1.6-liter turbo or a naturally aspirated 1.8-liter. Of course, the Chinese seem to be more interested in legroom and features than outright power, but going up against the likes of Audi with that kind of powertrain is suicide. The new 180 hp 2-liter diesel would be a far better fit to the demands of Average European consumers.
Rumors from China suggest the 5LS will soon get a 1.2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine under the bonnet. Reports suggest it will produce 134 hp and 230 Nm of torque, which would mean a similar output to a BMW 218i Active Tourer.
The new DS 5LS sedan was introduced there in 2014 and is based on the DS5 platform, itself created around the 3008 MPV. At about 4.7 meters in length, it's relatively spacious and with prices starting at about 160.000 yuan ($26,000), it's more affordable than an Audi A4 sedan.
Of course, it will take many years to catch up to Audi, who sold over 1.7 million cars in 2014. So what does the DS 5LS have that an A4 sedan doesn't? For starters, it has style and in China it's always associated with designers, fashion, malls and the younger middle class.
The 5LS sedan is sold with a choice of a 1.6-liter turbo or a naturally aspirated 1.8-liter. Of course, the Chinese seem to be more interested in legroom and features than outright power, but going up against the likes of Audi with that kind of powertrain is suicide. The new 180 hp 2-liter diesel would be a far better fit to the demands of Average European consumers.
Rumors from China suggest the 5LS will soon get a 1.2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine under the bonnet. Reports suggest it will produce 134 hp and 230 Nm of torque, which would mean a similar output to a BMW 218i Active Tourer.
PSA Peugeot-Citroen sales on the rise
Europe's second largest carmaker by volume PSA Peugeot-Citroen has reported a 4.3% increase in total sales for 2014, up from 2.82 million to 2.94. France is no longer the biggest single market, as China has overtaken it with 734,000 vehicles sold, an increase of 31.9%.The new DS 5LS sedan was introduced there in 2014 and is based on the DS5 platform, itself created around the 3008 MPV. At about 4.7 meters in length, it's relatively spacious and with prices starting at about 160.000 yuan ($26,000), it's more affordable than an Audi A4 sedan.
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