FEATURE

Some of the technical innovations of the DS which were advanced for its time in the 1950s and 1960s.

The steering wheel was unique and so was the dashboard, all of which had a futuristic look.

The DS had powerful lighting for its time and door handles which could perform two functions at the same time.

President De Gaulle was a fan of the DS and it even saved his life during an assassination attempt in the 1960s.

Paris, 1 October 1955: At the Grand Palais exhibition centre in Paris, a new car explodes onto the automotive scene and is hailed as a sensation by the contemporary press.

The DS has arrived. Visitors and journalists from around the world look on in total amazement. The car presented by Citroen is completely unlike anything they have ever seen before. The French carmaker has just unveiled the model that is set to replace André Citroen's renowned Traction Avant. Citroen's latest design makes all the other cars on show look outdated, marking the beginning of a new automotive era.

The unveiling of the DS was an event that made an impression on all those who were present and 50 years later, people are still talking about it. The DS is still seen on the road, kept alive by thousands of collectors around the world. In automotive history, it is as significant as the Traction Avant and the 2CV.

This marvel of automotive design was created by two men and their staff teams. Both were originally recruited by André Citroen and designed the Traction in1934. André Lefèvre was an engineer, while Flaminio Bertoni was a draftsman and sculptor. The two men pooled their talent to create this automotive wonder.

The DS was far more than just a stylistic choice. Its lines were dictated by the technical solutions adopted, while its design reflected a close fit between utility and harmony, functional convenience and visual appeal.

The DS was unique not only for its shape but also for its distinctive interior. The dashboard was a sculpted work of art. The whole cabin reflected the effort to make the car exceptionally ergonomic. The interior door handle, for example, was of totally new design and two actions – unlocking and opening – could be performed in one smooth movement.

The DS was exceptional also for its technology. It revolutionized automotive standards in terms of suspension, road holding, brakes and steering. It was the first car to make advanced technology such as power steering and power-assisted brakes - widely accessible. Not even Europe's most prestigious cars had such features at that time. As it was, the DS remained without any serious competition for around a decade, technology-wise.

At the heart of the car’s many innovations was the high-pressure system made necessary by the hydro-pneumatic suspension. This system drove the power steering and boosted pressure for the disc brakes as well as the transmission with its automatic clutch, which prefigured the automated gearboxes of today. The DS also used avant-garde materials in its construction, including aluminium for the bonnet and plastic for the roof.

In France, government officials frequently drove black DS models. It has to be said that the DS contributed to saving President Charles De Gaulle's life in 1962 during an assassination attempt. Riddled with bullets and with two burst tyres, the DS he was in could still continue on its journey and reach the airport.

The DS was the high-class car of choice for many. During its 20-year life in which 1,456,115 units were produced, the DS established itself as the market standard, proudly carrying all sorts of customers - families, travelling sales representatives, doctors and others, in France and elsewhere. The ambulance version enjoyed a virtual monopoly in its vehicle category and taxi drivers chose the DS for its comfort and rear space which was greatly appreciated by customers.

The DS was widely exported around the world, even to North America (at one time, it was even displayed at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles).. Its distinctive and immediately recognizable lines laid the foundations of Citroen's global renown. In international motorsports too, the DS had a presence, particularly in rallies and long-distance events. It claimed victory in the Monte Carlo Rally (1959 and1966), among others, and also turned in a brilliant performance in the East African Safari and the London-Sydney Rally.

In international motorsports too, the DS made Citroen a well known name.	The DS was exported worldwide and this picture shows a fleet in the former French colony of Vietnam.