New DS 4 draws on earlier concepts to create a striking form

The new DS 4 has been revealed – a slick looking crossover that the company suggests is a ”new generation of avant-garde design”. Avant-garde is quite the claim, but the DS 4 is certainly the most coherent offering from the brand so far.

A new light signature dominates the front end. The headlamps are slim and form three circles, while giant ‘L’ shaped daytime running lights (DLRs), each made up of 49 LEDs, frame the body work on either side. The grille is substantial, stretching up from the bumper to the very tip of the bonnet, and pushing out to the lamps. It features diamond-tip motifs in a 3D effect, giving the front end an injection of detail.

From a side view, the lamps cut back before finishing over the wheels while a line in the body work continues along the same trajectory. It fades momentarily and then reappears before making a sharp crease at the back to emphasise the bulging rear haunches. There are some more sharp lines on the lower section of the doors. These create an triangular shape at the front, which is then inverted at the back. The shape is also reflective of the angle in the DLRs. Some tasty continuity right there.

Those big haunches are clearly visible from the back too. The squat rear window and high position of the lamps emphasise the DS 4’s broad shoulders. Some delicate body work has been carried out here, with sweeping curves curling around from the sides of the spoiler and slicing the edges off the rear window. A second line sits just below, giving a tiered effect to the shoulders.

The rear lamp units include a laser-embossed reflective area that uses the same diamond shapes found on the front grille, tying the front end to the back and again adding to the continuity of design. The lamps are connected by a narrow chrome strip.

Inside, the DS 4 takes on new shapes and details that are new to the company. A single, continuous line at the top of the dash runs without interruption from pillar to pillar, apart from a small rise under which the cockpit display sits. The line extends to the doors, wrapping around the front passengers and creating a heightened sense of space.

A 10-inch touchscreen sits flush in the dash, and beneath this, a chrome ‘sabre’ that includes air control functions dissects what is otherwise a clean and unadorned surface. Another small screen, this time 5-inches, is placed astride the centre console, and connects to the DS Iris system – a new interface that, according to the company, greatly enhances the relationship between car and driver.

There has also been a distinct focus on using quality materials inside the DS 4. The dash is made up of 20% hemp, while elsewhere a mix of leather, Alcantara synthetic textiles, carbon fibre and wood have been used. There is a two-tone interior option, with ‘Pebble Grey’ seats and ‘Criollo Brown’ Nappa leather.

The images would suggest that the differences are numerous, but DS says that inspiration for the DS 4 has come from the Aero Sport Lounge concept. As Thierry Metroz, design director, DS Automobiles, suggests: “Even before drawing the first pencil line, we worked for two years with our engineers shaping the technical platform. When we began the creative process, the room for manoeuvre we had in devising a new concept was incredible. Inspired by the Ds Aero Sport Lounge concept, the silhouette is unique in the segment with proportions that have never been seen before. The outline is athletic, very muscular, compact and sits on very large wheels. It’s turned out to be aerodynamic, efficient and charismatic all at once.”