Oh look, it's a new Citroen...
Shhhh! You'll have the marketing department Gestapo down on us. This isn't a Citroen, at least not any more. The French brand has decided to cut its DS luxury arm loose so now the cars will be sold badged purely as DS - you won't find a double-chevron on them anywhere.
This is the massively updated DS 5, which now gets a broad new grille that will become the corporate 'face' for DS. On either side are full LED headlights (with integrated scrolling indicators) and in the centre is an updated DS logo.
"The New DS 5 is more than just a new car. It is the car introducing our brand identity. Sixty years on from the original DS, the new DS 5 carries all the genes of DS. Above all, it is a clear statement of our ambition: to revive the tradition of French premium vehicles" said Yves Bonnefont, CEO of the DS brand.
The rear view is rather less changed (tweaked lights and more chrome) while the interior is, basically, unchanged. There is a new touch-screen infotainment system though, which does cut down a bit on the interior button-count. There's a new MyDS system too, which integrates your Android or Apple smartphone into the dash display too.
There's a huge number of safety and driver assist systems on the standard and options list as well. How about a blind spot monitoring system, a lane departure warning function, automatic high beam control, turning headlights that work with the static cornering lighting to optimise illumination, hill-start assist, stability control, intelligent traction control, a reversing camera and a head-up display?
The engines stay the same as the updated BlueHDI diesel range that was introduced on a mildly updated DS last year, so the 120hp 1.6 and 150hp 2.0-litre diesels will be the core models. The 99g/km Hybrid4 model remains and there's a range-topping 180hp diesel too.
There are some detail changes to the trim, including some two-tone leather options and a new exterior paint finish called 'Ink Blue.' We'll find out more once it's had its full unveil at the Geneva Motor Show.
Neil Briscoe - 17 Feb 2015