We review the DS Divine (from Citroen) from price to economy and all its features
WHAT dress code does you car adopt?
If it’s a Golf GTi, smart casual perhaps? Black tie? If it’s a Mercedes E-Class, I guess so.
Oh, sorry, didn’t you hear? Apparently cars now come with a dress code. At least, the DS Divine concept car from Citroen does.
That’s the car you see on the left. Looks pretty bonkers, huh? In fact, the DS Divine has three interior dress codes to choose from — Male, Parisian Chic and Fatale Punk.
“At last,” I hear you cry. “A car which understands my needs for changeable attire. Driving from the kebab shop to The Oscars has been a nightmare until now.”
OK, I’m being cheeky. A concept car is exactly that — a concept. You’re not about to spot one outside Asda any time soon.
But don’t think this outlandish machine doesn’t relate to you, the car enthusiast. Concept cars are exactly the same as the bizarre outfits you see on the catwalks at Paris Fashion Week — no one will wear them but they inform the clobber which will be in the shops soon.
The shapes, patterns and materials filter down to the factory production line.
You’ll remember from that DS is Citroen’s tilt at a luxury brand — not a Citroen, we are constantly reminded, but something better and aimed at the discerning customer.
I’m predicting the big grille with sweeping headlights will soon be a reality
So the DS Divine is a good indicator of what’s to come in the range, which Citroen say will take shape over the next ten to 20 years with a steady stream of new models. You can bet these “dress codes” are a hint that DS cars of the future will go big on changeable interiors. So to a degree, it will be up to you how it will look.
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What else can we deduce from the DS Divine? Well, I would say the shape is something which you will definitely see on the roads, perhaps on the future DS4.
From the front, the Divine looks beautiful and it wouldn’t look at all out of place on a production car today, so I’m predicting the big grille with sweeping headlights will soon be a reality.
I was lucky to join the tiny list of people who have driven the Divine. While I had a blast at the test track (at 30mph because the brakes and suspension weren’t factory standard) I spoke to Damien Frassard, the Citroen designer who came up with the car.
The use of chrome as a material is something we will take seriously
He explained his thoughts behind it: “This is a representation of the themes which you will see in the DS range. So the use of chrome as a material is something we will take seriously, and inside the design reflects how we will approach the interiors.
“We want to focus on flair and fashion. We think certain higher-end brands can be boring.”
That pretty much sums up Citroen’s mission statement with the DS brand. They aim to compete with BMW and Mercedes by paying attention to the car’s looks, going for a more cutting-edge design.
They use words like “cosy” and “avant-garde” in the hope Beemer customers are ready for a break from the no-nonsense approach.
It’s a bold aim and a tough market to chase, but they might be on to something. I think the bigger struggle will be persuading customers not to think of a DS as a re-badged Citroen. But, if the DS Divine is anything to go on, they’re on the right lines.