Ds & Sm Heritage

DS & SM HERITAGE DS HERITAGE The story of the DS began long before 1955. The origins of the car go all the way back to 1938, when Citroën Chairman and CEO Pierre Boulanger was thinking about the successor to the Traction Avant. He was convinced that the new car above all had to be comfortable. And so a new project was launched, with the code name VGD, short for «Voiture de Grande Diffusion», or «mass-produced car». He entrusted the project to André Lefèbvre, an aeronautics engineer by training. Alongside these two men, the Citroën team also featured other talented individuals, notably Flaminio Bertoni (sculpture) and Paul Mages (suspension). But with the advent of war, and the ensuing occupation and wartime restrictions, the VGD project was put on hold. The project gradually got back on track after the end of the war. In 1952 L’Auto-Journal published a scoop, in the form of a drawing of the future Citroën and its technical characteristics. Citroën did its utmost to hush up the affair by taking the magazine to court. The brand wanted to keep the project a secret at all costs. 4 In October 1955, a bombshell hit the 42nd Paris Motor Show. A car took centre stage on the Citroën stand: the DS 19. A flying saucer, with bright colours and a magic word, «oleo-pneumatic», a system that appeared to do everything in the driver’s place. From the suspension and brakes to the steering and gearbox, softness was the keyword. Only the engine was conventional. But it wasn’t just about technology. The body styling of the DS 19 was utterly singular – and has remained so ever since. Not only was the body original, it heralded disruptions in the fields of aerodynamics, liveability, comfort and equipment. Even the detailing was astonishing, including the attachment of the wheels with a simple central screw. The public flocked to the stand, having awaited the new model since 1952. The result was 750 orders after just one hour and 12,000 by the end of the day. DS HERITAGE 5 LE LA DESIGN TECHNIQUE The shape of the DS was informed The technology of the DS by sculpture, Flaminio Bertoni’s other revolutionised the standards passion. But the design obeyed the laws of the time. The central high- of aerodynamics, which at equivalent pressure system necessary to the power levels provided higher speeds, hydropneumatic suspension was a less fuel consumption and more silence key innovation of the DS, its power for passengers. Every detail was studied fuelling the suspension, steering, from both an aesthetic and functional braking and automatic clutch and standpoint, including the front air gear selector. The system made the intake and the positioning of the rear car’s controls supple and easy to use indicators. The cabin respected the for drivers.Relative to suspension laws of a new science, ergonomics, systems until that point, the DS 19 bringing travellers greater comfort and struck an ideal compromise between safety. In its first few years, the DS was ride comfort and roadholding. available in all-new colours, including Featuring nitrogen-swelling spheres Champagne, Daffodil, Spring Green, in the place of conventional springs, Aubergine, Rosé Grey and Nasturtium. the car’s hydropneumatic suspension made road imperfections disappear and maintained the body at a constant ride height. The DS gained The cabin “ a new gaze in 1967 with its famous respected directional headlamps. The auxiliary lights turned with the wheels to light “the laws of a up corners, while the main lights were equipped with an automatic new science, levelling system so as not to dazzle ergonomics… other drivers. DS HERITAGE 6 COMFORT POWERTRAIN AND SPACIOUSNESS It wasn’t for nothing“ The DS is renowned for its consummate comfort. That The DS 19 is a heavy vehicle, and the 75 bhp developed by its 1.9 litres that the DS was reputation owes to a great extent to the car’s hydraulic would seem insufficient to propel the car’s 1,150 kg. The engine was General de Gaulle’s suspension, but the ultra-soft comfort of the seats is based directly on that used for the Traction 11D. But owing to its aerody- “ not to be overlooked. The DS also scores top marks on namics, the car is able to reach a respectable top speed of 143 km/h. favourite car spaciousness, even compared with more modern saloons. But looking beyond performance, the engine is appreciable above Leg room is excellent both front and rear, while head all for its roundness, making a perfect fit with the four-speed room is more than respectable. It wasn’t for nothing that hydraulic gearbox equipped with a hydraulically controlled clutch. the DS was General de Gaulle’s favourite car. The boot With synchronised 2nd, 3rd and 4th gears, the gearbox matched is quite simply huge, measuring 500 dm3. The DS can practically all driving styles. travel with heavy loads without appearing laden down The engine was upgraded throughout the car’s lifetime, through to thanks to the magic of hydropneumatic suspension, the 2,300 cm3 engine with electronic injection (September 1972 which maintains the vehicle at a constant ride height. to April 1975) for a top speed of 180 km/h. DS HERITAGE 7 COMFORT AND ROADHOLDING The Citroën Traction Avant was famed for its excellent roadholding. At the time, it seemed inconceivable to do better. But the DS did just that! With its well-balanced chassis, low centre of gravity (thanks to light and innovative materials) and, above all, its hydraulic suspension, the DS succeeded the «Queen of the Road» with brio. The DS 19 continues to boast top-flight ride comfort and honourable on-road performance compared with present-day cars, with a road feel that remains inimitable. The principle of hydraulic suspension has remained unchanged since the DS. A liquid from the central storage system compresses a gas contained in the spheres to a greater or lesser extent depending on the road, load and manual levelling control. DS HERITAGE 8 Right after launch in 1955, “ the streamlined styling of the DS “made it a symbol of France, in the same way as the Eiffel Tower CAR TO THE STARS The DS was a headlining presence at the first film festivals, contributing to the very idea of «star». An accessory of the modern hero, its styling appealed to the greatest directors, who gave it leading roles in hundreds of films. Meanwhile, photographers fought over its image, which made all the front pages. Right after launch in 1955, the streamlined styling of the DS made it a symbol of France, in the same way as the Eiffel Tower. It went on to become the darling of film directors in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. As the car of the big boss, the public figure, the senior civil servant, the cop, the gangster or the Parisian taxi driver, the DS played every role, each one with its inimitable grace. On screen as in real life, it stood as the epitome of the French high-end car. DS HERITAGE 9 Citroën’s image as the car of French presidents owes but it continued to drive on, miraculously escaping EMBLEM in part to General de Gaulle. And Charles de Gaulle’s the assailants. De Gaulle would never abandon the car. preference for the DS 19 over other cars owed in part OF POWER to the role it played in the attempt on his life in Petit Throughout its lifetime, the DS was the vehicle Clamart. The car’s outstanding roadholding even saved of leaders, company heads and ministers in France the President’s life. Bullets exploded two of its tyres, and internationally. DS HERITAGE 10 the DS played every role, each one with its inimitable grace.“ “On screen as in real life, it stood as the epitome of the French high-end car THE DS AND MOTORSPORT The motorsport career of the ID and DS models lasted over 18 years from 1956 to 1974 and was punctuated with a host of victories. It won the Monte Carlo Rally in 1959 and again in 1966. Internationally, the DS won numerous road races, including the Tour de Belgique, Tour de Corse, the Rally of the Thousand Lakes and the Morocco Rally. DS HERITAGE 12 THE DS IN THE USA The DS was an immense success in Europe but had a tougher time in the USA. As a high- end model, it lacked the features expected by the targeted customer base. During the period the DS was available in the USA, US law prohibited a number of innovative systems including hydraulic mineral fluid and aerodynamic headlamps. Also, the price of the DS was comparable to that of a Cadillac. Nevertheless, some 38,000 units were sold in the country. DS HERITAGE 13 THE DS AND THE ARTS The DS starred in a number of films at the cinema. A complete list would take too Les Tontons long, but the highlights include Les Tontons Flingueurs, Fantomas se déchaine, The Samurai, Flingueurs, The Brain and Rabbi Jacob. Fantomas “ More recently, a number of TV series have “ capitalised on the remarkable presence of the se déchaine, DS, among them Buffy the Vampire Slayer and .. The Mentalist. le Samourai, The DS has also been celebrated in a host of literary works, such as Mythologies by Roland le Cerveau, Barthes and Paper Tiger by Olivier Rolin. Rabbi Jacob... A design icon, it has also inspired outstanding creations such as Chico MacMurtrie’s «Totemobile», Mexican artist Gabriel Orozco’s «DS reduction», and the work of the Brandpowder company which assembled a Porsche 911 and DS into a single car.

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