The Citroën DS is an iconic vehicle that few others can rival in terms of style. Its debut at the 1955 Paris Motor Show was an instant sensation, with 12,000 orders taken on the first day alone. Designed by Italian stylist Flamino Bertoni, the DS was not only visually striking but also featured groundbreaking innovations in both style and engineering that would go on to influence future Citroën models.
As a successor to the Traction Avant, the DS was a radical departure from its predecessor. Its hydro-pneumatic, self-levelling suspension was a revelation, offering a more comfortable alternative to the traditional leaf-sprung suspension. Originally planned to be powered by an air-cooled flat-six engine, the DS ultimately utilized an inline-four from the Traction Avant.
From its sleek body design, single-spoke steering wheel, and “push-button” brake pedal to its hydraulically-assisted steering, adjustable ride height, and semi-automatic gearbox, the DS was a distinctly French interpretation of the future that captured the imagination of car buyers worldwide.
Source: RM Sotheby’s
