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When I saw the DS5 for the first time, I needed some time to get used to it
Those distinctive lines needed to sink in before I could share my opinion
As time passed I got more and more excited about this car
and at some point I just called Citroën to make an appointment to film and test this car
I was really excited because I loved the interior with gorgeous leather seats and lining, head-up display and an amazing sunroof
They promised us one with all of that so we could really highlight those features
but when we arrived we got one without all of those options
so now we have an Hybrid4 with a kind of disappointing interior
considering this, we'll try to focus on the hybrid part of the car and the overall looks
As you can probably hear, or not hear, we have the hybrid version with 200BHP
163BHP from the 2.0 HDI engine and 37 BHP from an electric motor.
it is also very interesting to have as company car because it has very low emission
But, that 200BHP isn't entirely true
It really doesn't feel like 200 BHP
we have made a comparison in acceleration times
from 100 to 150 Kph
and then we saw that in this 200BHP DS5 it takes 3 seconds longer than in a 136BHP diesel Audi A4
So why is that?
well, there is one critical component
the gearbox
it is outright horrible
when you have it in Manual mode, with the flappy padles behind the wheel
you are not allowed to shift up when you have your foot down
you have to lift while you shift
and when you keep it in auto mode and floor it
which you will considering you have "200BHP"
it jerks around like the old Fiat "Selespeed" gearbox from ten years ago
It shifts slowly and rattles aswell
I really think that when you let someone who is used to a DSG box, drive in this
he will think that the gearbox is broken
I you are not sold on the design yet, let me take you around the car and show you some of the features
For example this chrome strip that starts at the headlights and flows down the side
also these air inlets
which are real and open
they usually are closed and just for the sake of design
when you stand in front of it, it looks like someone has gone through it's hair with their hands
and pulled them back
looks great
these wheels are 17" which are the ones I would choose
it keeps the car a bit more sober
and a common complaint is that the 18" wheels don't benefit the ride quality
Further back we see a nice roof line that goes in to this tinted window in the back
and a subtle spoiler
very nice
when you are behind the car, the first thing that catches the eye are those exhausts
quite large and a bit conflicting with the whole hybrid concept
but just looking at the design, it's a winner
Inside we have the "Hybrid control system" and gearleaver
this system let's the driver choose between an automatic setting, a sport setting
that speaks for itself
the 4WD setting, which activates the four-wheel drive system in which the electric motor powers the back
and the diesel powers the front
and finally the ZEV setting
this allows you to drive fully electric to the shops for example
so no gas wasted there
the used materials are not superb, like in an Audi, but it's sufficient
what is superb, are the overall shapes and patterns in this interior
but of course, in this particular car, we really miss the beautiful sunroof with those airplane-like buttons and the leather seats
maybe it feels as if I'm telling you not to buy this car
but that is not the case
I think this is a very amusing car
it's very attractive to drive as company car
and the overall ideal of this car appeals to me
the spacious interior, lots of light combined with the hybrid technique
it's very unique, like a lot of French things
when you try to not let the little mistakes annoy you
you can see how this car should have been
and than you forgive those mistakes
I have those moments myself, even though I'm quite harsh
the styling is great, it looks very original
those lines and curves can only be conceived by Citroën
they should have put just a little more money and effort into it
maybe this Hybrid4 should have been €10.000,- more expensive
so they could have polished and perfected it
then this car would be, as it should have been