The DS 4 (Citroën DS4 before 2015) is a subcompact executive car, and it is the second model in the luxury DS sub-brand created by Citroën, now an independent brand. Starting in 2021, it is currently in its second generation, which is based on an all-new EMP2 platform shared with the Opel Astra L and Peugeot 308 III. As of 2023, it is currently slotted above the DS 3 and below the DS 7 Crossback.

DS 4
DS 4 E-Tense
Overview
Manufacturer
Also calledCitroën DS4 (2010–2015)
Production2010–2018
2021–present
Body and chassis
ClassSubcompact executive car (C)
Body style5-door hatchback
LayoutFront-engine, front-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive
Chronology
PredecessorCitroën C4 Coupé
SuccessorDS 4S
Citroën C4 (2020)

First generation (NX; 2010)

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First generation (NX)
 
2014 Citroën DS4
Overview
Also calledCitroën DS4 (2010–2015)
ProductionAugust 30, 2010–2018[1]
AssemblyFrance: Mulhouse (PSA Mulhouse Plant)
Malaysia: Gurun (NAM)
DesignerOlivier Vincent[2]
Body and chassis
PlatformPSA PF2 platform
RelatedCitroën C4 II
Powertrain
Engine
Transmission5-speed manual
6-speed manual
6-speed ETG6 automated manual
6-speed EAT6 automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,612 mm (102.8 in)
Length4,275 mm (168.3 in)
Width1,810 mm (71.3 in)
Height1,523 mm (60.0 in)
Kerb weight1,360–1,496 kg (2,998–3,298 lb)
Chronology
SuccessorDS 4S (China)

Based upon the Citroën C4 II, the first generation was officially launched internationally in March 2011, but already on sale in some countries by the end of 2010.[3] It features raised suspension to resemble a compact SUV and repositioned door handles to give it a coupé like silhouette.

The rear windows are fixed, and do not slide down or open outwards.[4]

At launch, the petrol engines that powered the DS 4 were all a product of a collaboration between PSA and BMW, all being 1,598 cc four-cylinder, 16 valve units. The base VTi 120 was normally aspirated and put out 120 PS (88 kW). As its name implies it came with variable valve timing. The next engine up was the THP 155, essentially a turbocharged version of the VTi.

It put out 156 PS (115 kW) thanks to a twin-scroll turbocharger and dual overhead cams, and used a six-speed manual transmission. The most powerful engine option was the THP 200, a variation of the THP 155, but with an output of 200 PS (147 kW). Citroën initially offered two diesel engines in the DS 4 – the HDi 110, a 1,560 cc four-cylinder that put out 112 PS (82 kW) and the four-cylinder HDi 160 also found in the sedan Citroën C5. There was also a 2.0-litre diesel displacing 1,997 cc and producing 163 PS (120 kW).

The engine line up differs significantly. The DS 4 is available with Start&Stop technology and Citroën says that the battery has been optimised to withstand up to 600,000 starting cycles. The boot is 385 L (13.6 cu ft) and expand to 1,021 L (36.1 cu ft) with the back seats folded down. The DS 4's styling has been very well received by the international press.

It was elected Most Beautiful Car of the Year at the International Automobile Festival,[5] beating BMW’s new F10 5 Series and Honda's new CR-Z hybrid car. German magazine Auto Bild, and its partner magazines throughout Europe, have given it first prize for design, in its category in the contest Design Award.[6] Production of the DS 4 ended in April 2018.

2015 facelift

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In August 2015, the facelifted DS 4 was announced by DS Automobiles, as part of their separation from Citroën to become a standalone brand. The revised model no longer featured Citroën badges, with the 'DS Wings' grille design. The facelift also introduces the DS 4 Crossback variation, fitted with large black wheels, wheel arch trims and roof bars.

The interior has been refined with door panels upholstered in Nappa leather while the seats are upholstered in semi-aniline leather featuring a signature 'watch-strap' design. The DS 4 also features a panoramic windscreen offering 45 degree upward vision for greater visibility while both the driver and passenger have rigid individual blinds and folding sun shields.[7]

Petrol engines included a 96 kW (131 PS) and 230 Nm 1.2-litre engine mated to a 6-speed transmission which was available on the hatchback and Crossback versions and a 121 kW (165 PS) and 240 Nm 1,6-litre engine mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. There was also a 1.6-litre engine offering 155 kW (211 PS) and 285 Nm of torque, only be available for the DS4 hatchback. Diesel engines includes a 88 kW (120 PS) and 300 Nm 1.6-litre engine mated to either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission for both the hatchback and Crossback versions. There's also a 110 kW (150 PS) and 370 Nm 2.0-litre diesel engine mated to a 6-speed manual transmission which is only available for the DS 4 hatchback. The diesel range is completed with a 2.0-litre diesel engine that offers 132 kW (179 PS) and 400 Nm of torque and is only available with a 6-speed automatic.

Safety

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Euro NCAP test results
Citroën DS 4 1.6 VTi base grade (LHD) (2011)[8]
Test Points %
Overall:      
Adult occupant: 32 90%
Child occupant: 39 80%
Pedestrian: 15 43%
Safety assist: 7 97%
 
Citroen DS4 (rear)

The European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) (Europe’s rough equivalent to the United States’s IIHS) gave the DS4 one five-star rating overall. The Peugeot 508 was scored the same, with the only difference being a higher child occupant rating in the 508, and slightly higher pedestrian impact rating for the DS4.[9]

Engines

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Engines[citation needed]
  Petrol engines Diesel engines
  1.6 VTi 1.6 THP 155 1.6 THP 200 1.6 HDi 1.6 e HDi 2.0 HDi
Production years  
Engine Type I4 16V naturally aspirated I4 16V turbocharged I4 8V common rail injection I4 16V common rail injection
Displacement (cc) 1598 1598 1598 1560 1560 1997
Max power
at r/min
88 kW (120 PS; 118 hp)
6000
115 kW (156 PS; 154 hp)
6000
147 kW (200 PS; 197 hp)
5800
82 kW (111 PS; 110 hp)
3600
82 kW (111 PS; 110 hp)
3600
120 kW (163 PS; 161 hp)
3750
Max torque
at r/min
160 N⋅m (118 lb⋅ft)
4250
240 N⋅m (177 lb⋅ft)
1400
275 N⋅m (203 lb⋅ft)
1700
270 N⋅m (199 lb⋅ft)
1750
270 N⋅m (199 lb⋅ft)
1750
340 N⋅m (251 lb⋅ft)
2000
Transmission 5 speed manual 6 speed EGS 6 speed manual 6 speed manual 6 speed EMG 6 speed manual
Weight 1,360 kg (2,998 lb) 1,420 kg (3,131 lb) 1,431 kg (3,155 lb) 1,417 kg (3,124 lb) 1,428 kg (3,148 lb) 1,496 kg (3,298 lb)
Top speed 193 km/h (120 mph) 214 km/h (133 mph) 235 km/h (146 mph) 190 km/h (118 mph) 190 km/h (118 mph) 212 km/h (132 mph)
0–100 km/h acceleration (0–62 mph) (s) 10.8 9.0 7.9 11.3 11.3 8.6
Fuel consumption (L/100 km)
(urban)
(extra urban)
6.2
8.3
5.0
6.5
9.0
5.1
6.4
8.4
5.2
4.7
5.9
4.0
4.4
4.8
4.1
5.1
6.6
4.3
CO2 emissions (g/km) 144 149 149 122 114 134

Second generation (2021)

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Second generation
 
Overview
Production2021–present
AssemblyGermany: Rüsselsheim (Opel Rüsselsheim)
DesignerThomas Duhamel[10]
Body and chassis
PlatformPSA EMP2 platform
RelatedPeugeot 308 III
Opel Astra L
Peugeot 408 (P54)
Powertrain
EnginePetrol:
1.2 L Turbocharger PSA EB2DTS I3
1.6 L Turbocharger PSA EP6FDT I4
Petrol PHEV:
1.6 L PSA EP6FDT PHEV I4
Diesel:
1.5 L PSA DV5 BlueHDi I4
Electric motorSynchronous Electric Motor (DS 4 Crossback E-Tense)
Transmission8-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,680 mm (105.5 in)
Length4,415 mm (173.8 in)
Width1,830 mm (72.0 in)
Height1,495 mm (58.9 in)
Kerb weight1,360–1,496 kg (2,998–3,298 lb)
Chronology
PredecessorDS 5
DS 4S (China)

The second generation of the DS 4 was unveiled on 3 February 2021. It is intended to replace the DS 5 which was discontinued in 2018 and is based on the PSA EMP2 platform of the PSA Group. The car is available in three versions: DS 4, DS 4 Cross and DS 4 Performance Line.

It was designed in Paris, but will be produced at Opel's plant in Rüsselsheim.[11] It is intended to compete with the BMW 1 Series and Audi A3 hatchback, but can also compete with the Mercedes-Benz A-Class.

In terms of powertrains, a E-TENSE hybrid version will be available, and in terms of petrol engines, it is equipped with the PureTech range with powers of 130, 180 or 220 HP. It is available for sale from the fourth quarter of 2021.[12]

2022 refresh

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In October 2022, the trim structure was revised, which now includes a new Opera flagship and increased EV range for the PHEV version.[13]

Esprit de Voyage

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Introduced in March 2023, the "Esprit de Voyage" special edition, French for "spirit of travel", is the flagship trim level for the DS 4 and DS 7 and features new materials and colour combinations inspired by the fashion industry.[14][15]

Safety

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Euro NCAP test results
DS 4 1.6 Hybrid (LHD) (2022)[16]
Test Points %
Overall:      
Adult occupant: 32.6 85%
Child occupant: 42.4 86%
Pedestrian: 40.5 74%
Safety assist: 10.4 65%

Production and sales

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Year Worldwide Production Worldwide sales
2010 300[1] 200[1]
2011 34,593[3] 29,477[3]
2012 30,700[17] 33,157[17]
2013 29,802[18]
2014 21,643[19]
2015 18,825[20]
2016 19,938[21]
2017 12,257[22]
2018 5,381[23]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Engine specs from PSA Peugeot Citroën" (PDF). Creator and designer. PSA Peugeot Citroën. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 June 2017. Retrieved 4 December 2012.
  2. ^ "Citroën DS4: design sketches". Car Body Design. 11 September 2010. Retrieved 25 July 2023.
  3. ^ a b c "PSA Annual Report 2012" (PDF). Car manufacturers. PSA. Retrieved 1 May 2013.[permanent dead link]
  4. ^ "Citroen DS4 reviews | Expert and user reviews". carwow.co.uk. Retrieved 2012-02-03.
  5. ^ "Citroën DS4 Voted Most Beautiful Car of the Year". Citroën. Archived from the original on March 30, 2013. Retrieved March 21, 2013.
  6. ^ "Citroën DS4 gets first prize in Auto Bild's design award contest". Archived from the original on 2011-08-15. Retrieved 2011-06-18.
  7. ^ "Citroen DS 4 Facelift Revealed". Cars.co.za. August 31, 2015. Retrieved February 6, 2021.
  8. ^ https://www.euroncap.com/en/results/citro%c3%abn/ds4/10967
  9. ^ "Euro NCAP Peugeot 508 test". Car safety testing. Euro NCAP. Retrieved 21 March 2013.
  10. ^ Bonnaud, Christophe (8 September 2021). "The DS4 manifesto: launching a revolution at DS!". lignesauto.fr. Retrieved 25 July 2023.
  11. ^ Sommer, Marcel (2021-02-03). "Frankreich-Golf ist "Made in Germany"" [France-Golf is "made in Germany"]. Auto Motor und Sport (in German). Motor Presse Stuttgart GmbH & Co.KG. Archived from the original on 2021-03-13.
  12. ^ Luca Cifferi & Andrea Malan (2021-04-08). "Alfa Romeo Tonale launch delayed after new CEO demands better performance". Automotive News. Archived from the original on 2021-04-08.
  13. ^ Pappas, Thanos (October 5, 2022). "DS 4 Gains Revised Trim Structure Including Opera Flagship, Plus Increased EV Range For The PHEV". Carscoops.
  14. ^ Pappas, Thanos (March 9, 2023). "DS 4 And DS 7 Now Available In Fashion-Inspired Esprit De Voyage Special Editions". Carscoops.
  15. ^ "DS Automobiles Debuts Esprit De Voyage Collection With DS 4, DS 7". Motor1.com. March 9, 2023.
  16. ^ https://cdn.euroncap.com/media/68915/euroncap-2022-ds-4-datasheet.pdf
  17. ^ a b Memento Mars 2013 (in French), PSA Peugeot Citroën, 21 February 2013, p. 50, archived from the original on 2013-03-11
  18. ^ "2013 Annual results". Groupe PSA. Retrieved 2019-06-12.
  19. ^ "2014 Annual results". Groupe PSA. Archived from the original on 2016-12-02. Retrieved 2019-06-12.
  20. ^ "2015 Annual results". Groupe PSA. Archived from the original on 2016-12-03. Retrieved 2019-06-12.
  21. ^ "2016 Annual Results". Groupe PSA. Retrieved 2019-06-12.
  22. ^ "Worldwide Sales by Model and Energy 2017". Groupe PSA. Retrieved 2019-06-12.
  23. ^ "Worldwide Sales by Model 2018". Groupe PSA. Retrieved 2019-06-12.