Tuesday 24th March 2015

Citroen DS5: Guilty Pleasures

The cars we like that we know we shouldn't - Matt kicks us off with the Citroen DS5

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How would you define a PH car in a sentence? Tough one, isn't it? For me it's something that's driver focused, a car that places an emphasis on fun and enjoyment for the person behind the wheel. Amongst a deluge of automotive white goods the engineers have ensured driving this car will put a smile on your face. From Suzuki Swift Sport to McLaren P1, I think that's what piques the collective PH interest.

Not like anything else and that's why it's great!

Moreover, we as PHers are willing to compromise for a dynamic thrill. That exhaust that booms on the motorway but sings on a Sunday morning, the pads that squeal when cold but withstand lap after lap and the new dampers that hate that speed bump at work but excel on B-roads. We don't mind, because the good drives easily make up for it. I did 8,000 miles over seven months in a Caterham last year; the lows were horrendous but the highs were simply spectacular.

Anyway, the point in these blogs is to celebrate the cars we admire that would never, ever otherwise grace the pages of PH. Because we all love some things we shouldn't, right? There are no real criteria; indeed they could even be performance cars that flopped but we like anyway (the Rover 25 GTI, for example). They are simply cars we like for reasons other than usual PH hitlist. As always, it would be great to hear your thoughts on them, experiences and suggestions for similar cars we may not have considered.

Where to begin? The Citroen DS5. In at the deep end... Having never driven one it's impossible to be authoritative but the big DS is hardly renowned as a Citroen great. Too harsh to be relaxing in the big Citroen way but too vague to be sporting like a DS3, it's rather in no man's land as a dynamic prospect. And the reviews on the Hybrid4 powertrain, aimed at fleet buyers with its low CO2 emission, aren't exactly glowing. It must surely depreciate at a terrifying rate too.

When did you last see one?

And yet I find myself drawn to the DS5 again and again. Simply put, it's the Frenchness of it that appeals. It's defiantly individual and I love it for that. An MPV/estate/coupe really shouldn't work as a design prospect but the DS5 pulls it off. The French have done it before with the Renault Avantime, of course. Luxurious without being grotesque, funky but not weird, handsome yet without any aggression; I think it's marvellous.

The interior too is a treat, making for just the car for long distances while ensconced futuristic luxury. If it wasn't for the ride. And the apparently jerky changes in the hybrid.

No matter. Even as a more resolved overall package I suspect the DS5 would struggle. Unfortunately the French making overtly French cars aren't as popular as their German or Japanese counterparts. Shamefully I suspect more 3 Series GTs have been sold than DS5s.

What a way to travel

Hopefully the DS5 and the DS brand can prosper though. Individuality should be celebrated, because the world would be a jolly dull place without it. Unfortunately tedious competence is what sells cars rather than style and eccentricity.

So yes, I'm rather fond of the Citroen DS5. I'd have a plain diesel one actually, on big wheels because it will look best like that. Some of you may agree, some of you may not, but that's entirely the point. Dan will be along with his first four-wheeled confession in due course but in the meantime I feel like some PH credibility might need to be reasserted. Where's that Caterham gone?

Matt

[j90gta]

Totally agree. I think as a piece of automotive design it is quite superb. A big French car that I wouldn't be embarrassed to be seen in. I do hope that the depreciation is epic as there will be some bargains to be had. Sometimes they do manage to do large quirky cars like the Avantime and the C6 quite brilliantly, but they are also capable of utter dross such as the Vel Satis and the Peugeot 607.