DS AUTOMOBILES has revealed pricing and specifications for its all-new premium hatchback, the DS 4.

Customers will be able to choose between three stylish variants, with all three featuring with DS’ efficient E-TENSE plug-in hybrid powertrain or advanced PureTech petrol and BlueHDi diesel engines.

The all-new DS 4, the fourth model in the DS’ range, will be available in DS 4, Performance Line and Cross derivatives which features a striking new design, set to make it stand out on the open road or city streets. All derivatives feature a distinctive front end, characterised by a new light signature. Slim projector headlights are complemented by daytime running lights made up of two LED strips on either side featuring 98 LED lights in total.

With the all-new DS 4, customers can choose the powertrain that best meets their needs. The all-new DS 4 is available with a highly efficient E-TENSE 225 plug-in hybrid powertrain with CO2 emissions as low as 34g/km (WLTP). The DS 4 will also be offered with a choice of three advanced PureTech petrol engines, a PureTech130, PureTech180 and PureTech225, and a frugal BlueHDi 130 diesel.

All powertrains are sold exclusively with DS’ smooth shifting eight-speed automatic gearbox.

The DS 4 introduces new premium technology to the segment, including the DS IRIS SYSTEM - an all-new full HD touchscreen infotainment system supported by over-the-air updates and featuring the IRIS personal assistant with natural voice recognition. To make the system even more intuitive, DS SMART TOUCH provides a small, additional touchscreen below the centre console with customisable shortcuts and handwriting recognition.

Available as an option on all DS 4 with PureTech petrol and BlueHDi diesel powertrains, DS Active Scan Suspension is a segment-first innovation. A camera positioned at the top of the windscreen scans the road ahead for imperfections, while four attitude sensors and three accelerometers record every movement, allowing the system to control each wheel independently and thereby delivering a smooth and composed ride at all times.

The all-new DS 4 is available in DS 4, CROSS and Performance Line variants.

Prices for the all-new DS 4 start from £25,350 on-the-road, with deliveries due later this year.

Golden era for vehicle exports

THE Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has called on government to put the automotive sector at the heart of future trade negotiations, after publishing a new report confirming vehicles as the UK’s single most valuable goods trade export.

Vehicle export revenues reached £27 billion in 2020, making them more valuable to the UK than power-generating machinery and gold, even during a year when the global pandemic disrupted trade flows and shut down markets around the world.