PSA Peugeot Citroën’s DS brand has given the DS 4 a major makeover. The model gains a freshly styled nose, new headlights with xenon and LED technology, a freshened engine line-up and more paint and trim options.
In addition, DS has created two models out of one. In place of the original single variant, there’s now a choice of two distinct versions: the standard-issue five-door hatchback, which has a normal ride height; and the new Crossback, which rides 30mm higher and has more rugged styling, including larger wheels, cosmetic skidplates and roof bars.
Both versions of the new 4 will be front-wheel drive only and the engine range is made up of three turbocharged petrol engines and three diesel motors. A six-speed manual gearbox and a six-speed torque-converter automatic are the two transmission options.
In the UK, the Crossback will be available with one trim level and a choice of two engines.
Blog: Is DS heading in the right direction?
Eric Apode, vice president for products and business development at DS, said the new 4 line-up is intended to compete with “established premium C-segment cars such as the Audi A3, BMW 1 Series and Volvo V40”.
Apode added that crossovers based on premium C-segment cars were now accounting for 30% of sales, with the traditional hatchbacks dropping from 50 to 40% of sales. This market shift was the inspiration behind the decision to build the Crossback, he said.
As well as getting the new DS family face, more exterior chrome trim and significantly improved headlights, the new 4 gets a new 7.0in colour touchscreen, which allows “two-thirds of the dashboard switches” to be removed.
Options include CarPlay for compatibility with iPhones, mirroring for Apple and Android mobile phones as well as the ‘DS Connect’ system, blind spot warning, keyless entry, a reversing camera, massage seats and an upmarket Denon hi-fi.
The 4 also now has the option of four roof colours and nine body colours, which adds up to 38 different combinations. Nappa leather door panels and semi-aniline leather trim are again optional. Both versions get a ‘wrap-over’ windscreen as standard.
For the hatch, the entry-level engine is the 119g/km turbocharged petrol Pure Tech 130 S&S unit, which offers 128bhp and 170lb ft from 1750rpm and is hooked up to the manual ’box.
The 130g/km THP 165 petrol engine has 177lb ft from 1400rpm. Top of the petrol range is the 138g/km THP 210 variant.There are three diesels, all tagged Blue HDi. They come in 120 (100g/km), 150 (103g/km) and 180 (115g/km) guises. The 180 unit delivers 295lb ft of torque and comes with the auto gearbox as standard.
In the UK, the Crossback will be offered with only the Pure Tech 130 engine and manual ’box or the Blue HDi 120 with either the manual or auto.
The new 4 makes its debut at the Frankfurt show on 15 September. Prices will start at £19,500 for the entry-level Pure Tech 130 manual model, rising to around £25,500 for the range-topping Blue HDi 180. The new 4 goes on sale in the UK from November.
The company says it has sold 115,000 DS 4s since the car was launched in 2011. That makes up around 20% of all DS models sold since the brand was introduced with the DS 3 hatchback in 2009.
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