DS Automobiles: on the path of comfort for 70 years

DS Automobiles has an exceptional heritage, inspired by the DS, introduced in 1955. This iconic model is much more than a ca pompa de apa valeo pret.

DS Automobiles: on the path of comfort for 70 years

Launched in 1938 under the leadership of Citroën boss Pierre Boulanger and continued by his successor Pierre Bercot in 1950, the VGD ("Véhicule à Grande Diffusion" or "Mass-produced vehicle") project was realized 17 years later with the launch of the DS 19 in October 1955.

Three people play a key role in the design and development of the car:

THE 1955 PARIS AUTO SHOW: THE DEBUT OF THE DS

On 6 October 1955, the DS 19 made its debut at the Paris Motor Show. Under the majestic vaulted roof of the Grand Palais, the presentation of this previously secret car caused both astonishment and admiration. Its avant-garde and yet elegant lines instantly set a new standard. Visitors and journalists were literally mesmerized, while competitors could only applaud the genius of the new car. According to accounts from the time, 12,000 DS 19s had been sold by the end of the day, and when the show closed 10 days later, around 80,000 orders had been placed.

Production of the DS began on 7 October 1955 at the Quai de Javel factory in Paris (France), the day after its debut at the Paris Motor Show. So innovative was the appearance of the first models that crowds often gathered to see them. The pioneering technical and aesthetic solutions of the car aroused unquenchable curiosity, as the DS was not only a true automotive sculpture, but also represented the pinnacle of technological achievement. For example, its exclusive hydropneumatic suspension ensured unprecedented levels of stability and comfort. Another new safety feature was the powerful hydraulically assisted braking system with front disc brakes, which provided braking distances so short that it confused even experienced drivers on their first experience with the DS.

From the very beginning, the DS 19 had an exceptionally international career. The car was assembled in the UK and Belgium from 1956 and in South Africa from 1959. As a symbol of French elegance and avant-garde, the car was exported throughout Western Europe, to almost all the countries of the British Commonwealth, including Canada and Australia, as well as to the USA, where it quickly gained a large base of loyal fans.

MONTE CARLO WINS: A FORMIDABLE RACING CAR

In January 1956, three months after its launch, the DS 19 made its debut in the most prestigious rally. The car took first place in its class, becoming the first French car to finish the race, and all six registered cars finished the race. In 1959, the Coltelloni-Alexandre-Desroisières team won first place in the overall standings with the ID 19, and a series of impressive top performances followed in the following years. In 1966, the “21” version of the DS achieved a second victory in Monaco with the Finnish team Toivonen-Mikander. The DS is not only an exceptional long-distance car, but also a remarkable competitor on the world stage!

In September 1962, the DS underwent its first front-end facelift. The large air vents on the wings were removed and replaced with two arrow-shaped rubber bumpers, and the lower bumper was redesigned. This improvement further optimized the car's aerodynamics, reduced fuel consumption and increased the top speed to 160 km/h.

In October 1965, a year after the launch of the DS Pallas in 1964, a new DS was presented with a more powerful 2,175 cc engine, developing 109 hp and providing a top speed of 175 km/h! In addition to the DS 19, which had been available since 1955 and was named after its 1,911 cc engine, the range was also enriched with the DS 21 model.

In 1967, the DS underwent a facelift which, in addition to emphasizing its now universally approved design, also included a new safety feature – the famous cornering lights, now standard on the top Prestige, Pallas and Cabriolet models. From then on, the DS illuminated the inside of bends before entering them!

Both on the screen and on the road, the DS quickly left its mark. The world of cinema gave it leading roles that are remembered to this day. From crime films to comedies, like the big stars, the DS shines in all genres. It can be seen, for example, with Brigitte Bardot in The Parisian (1957), with Alain Delon in The Samurai (1967), with Jean-Paul Belmondo and Bourville in The Brain (1969), with Jean Gabin and Fernandel in That Tender Age (1964), and even with Louis de Funes in Rabbi Jacob (1973). Here too, the DS symbolizes elegance, speed and power.

2014: LAUNCH OF THE DS AUTOMOBILES BRAND

Created in Paris on June 1, 2014, DS Automobiles is establishing itself as a brand in its own right. Its aim is to develop the values of innovation and distinction inherited from DS since 1955 and to embody the French art of travel. In 2025, DS Automobiles will offer a global and diverse range with the DS 3, DS 4, DS 7 and N°8 models.

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Launched in 1938 under the leadership of Citroën boss Pierre Boulanger and continued by his successor Pierre Bercot in 1950, the VGD ("Véhicule à Grande Diffusion" or "Mass-produced vehicle") project was realized 17 years later with the launch of the DS 19 in October 1955

Three people play a key role in the design and development of the car: