New DS 4 and DS 4 Crossback Step Forth in Frankfurt

How do you improve on the officially proclaimed ‘Most Beautiful Car of the Year’?  That’s the conundrum that faced DS after its A-Class and 1 Series-rivalling premium hatchback, the DS 4, took the aforementioned accolade at the prestigious 2013 International Automobile Festival in Paris. The pressure was always bound to be on then, ahead of the release of that car’s facelifted successor at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show.

In an interesting move, Citroën ’s stand-alone premium sub-brand has not only brought us a refreshed DS 4 to sink our teeth into but is also debuting an entirely new crossover variant of the luxury hatch; the new DS 4 Crossback.

First under the microscop is the new DS 4 base-model which debuts a number of styling revisions aimed at enhancing its beauty-queen looks still further. The redesigned front end, which ditches the old chevrons for good in return for a wider ‘DS Wings’ grille, sports a set of new  LED headlamps whilst for the first time, customers can plump for the same customisable two-tone colour scheme that helped make the DS 3 such a head-turner on today’s roads and whose popularity inspired a plethora of imitations. In all, four colours are available for the roof, rear spoiler, door mirrors and wheel centre caps with another nine options for the rest of the body. Inside, Nappa leather upholstery and the choice of ‘watch strap’ leather seats, continues the premium theme.

Joining the new DS 4 hatchback in Frankfurt is the all-new DS 4 Crossback. In DS speak, the Crossback is an ‘urban and extra-urban adventurer’, but rest assured, this DS 4 derivative falls categorically into the soft-roader end of the admittedly far-reaching crossover spectrum. Like the Mercedes-Benz GLA, the Crossback aims to offer an alternative to conventional hatchbacks in the premium segment, the main draw being its 30mm higher ride height that’s tailored specifically towards the increasing number of buyers used to an elevated, crossover-esc driving position. The new Crossback isn’t simply a jacked-up DS 4 however, and does feature black wheel arch trims, a slightly revised front end, grey roof bars and a black rear spoiler, lending it a burly appearance.

Both DS 4 variants will share the same stable of powertrains, offering up to a maximum of 210hp; that’s a 10bhp improvement on the previous DS 4’s top performing 1.6 litre turbo petrol.

We expect the new DS 4 and its Crossback sibling to be with us here in the UK sometime in early 2016, shortly after European sales get underway.