DS CELEBRATES ITS 60TH ANNIVERSARY IN 2015
DS turns 60
The DS is celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2015 with its first big celebration taking place in London this week. The DS was ground breaking and got people in a flurry when the vehicle was first launched at the Paris motor show in October 1955. Citroen in France reported that it took 743 orders for the futuristic-looking car in the first 15 minutes of the show, while orders for the first day alone were 12,000 units.
As well as those looks, the DS was technically innovative and continued in production for 20 years. It was front-wheel drive, a novelty for the time, and featured hydropneumatic self-levelling suspension along with hydraulic operation of the clutch and gearbox (as well as the brakes and power steering).
The DS was the first mass-produced car with front disc brakes, mounted inboard to reduce unsprung weight, and all-round independent suspension.
Whichever way you look at it, it was nothing short of sensational.