The avant-garde French DS car company has said "bonjour" to New Zealand market today with the official launch of the brand.
DS, the premium brand in the PSA Peugeot-Citroen (PSA) stable, officially became a standalone product from the company last year, and has launched here with three vehicles in the lineup; the three-door hatch DS3, the Compact-SUV DS4 Crossback , and the flagship DS5 hatch.
Full of premium quality touches such as leather interior, touch screen infotainment and that oh-so-French styling, the range starts at $42,990 for the DS3, and tops out at $64,990 for the DS5.
"DS is the premium brand in the PSA stable, but it will be a niche player in the New Zealand market" Said Simon Rose, New Zealand Divisional Manager for PSA.
"In 2013 there were 15 DS vehicles, now [we've] rationalised our range down to three vehicles at this time."
From left: The DS4 Crossback, DS5, and DS3
Rose expects the DS range to sell a conservative 100 units a year, though has hopes this will be boosted when DS's SUVs are launched in approximately 18 months time.
DS is carried by four select metropolitan dealerships across the country, two based in Auckland, one in Wellington, and one in Christchurch, with a 5th dealership to be announced soon.
For ease of ownership servicing of DS vehicles can be carried out by any of the nine Citroen dealers throughout the country.
Three models will be on offer to New Zealand motorists, all of which have been tailored to suit local tastes, with leather interiors and alloy wheels standard throughout the range.
The DS3 launches with a turbocharged 1199cc three cylinder petrol motor, while the DS4 Crossback and DS5 both enter the country with a 2-litre diesel - all paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission.
"We don't have the flexibility to have both petrol and diesel model variants at this time with just 100 units planned for NZ". Says Rose.
DS New Zealand range
| DS3 | $42,990 |
| DS4 Crossback | $54,990 |
| DS5 | $64,990 |
