DS, the French luxury brand part of the sprawling Stellantis group, has announced that it will rationalise its line-up into two trim levels for each new model.
Until now, DS has used a variety of specification names and levels, usually named after districts of Paris, including Rivoli and Trocadero (as well as the rather more prosaic Performance Line).
From now on, though, there will be just the two - Pallas and Étoile.
Clarity and legacy
According to DS: “The aim is to provide greater clarity to highlight the key features of these models rooted in a legacy that’s consistent with the brand. Thanks to this new range, customers will have access to the best savoir-faire of the Brand available through two very expressive versions, offering equipment levels that meet their expectations.”
Throwback to the Citroen DS
The Pallas trim is actually a return to DS tradition and harks back to high-equipment versions of classic models such as the Citroen DS Pallas and CX Pallas. First introduced 60 years ago in 1964, Pallas is inspired by an award given to Paris’ finest hotels. “Introduced as a new version, the Pallas was at the time intended to satisfy the aspirations of the most demanding customers. Distinguished by tremendous attention to detail, it remains a benchmark signature of historic DS” says DS. The new Pallas trim will include “comprehensive equipment perfectly tailored to each of the different models’ segments”, we are told.
Only the finest ballet dancers
Étoile is equally historic, although more generally historic than specifically to the DS brand. “It is a symbol of the Place Charles-de-Gaulle, previously known as the Place de l'Étoile, in the middle of which the Arc de Triomphe stands at the top of the Avenue des Champs-Élysées, whose cobblestones form a star when seen from the sky. This square serves the most emblematic Parisian avenues forming a star, according to the design supervised by Baron Haussmann,” says DS. Étoile is also the highest status granted to ballet dancers at the Opére National De Paris since the 19th century.
DS says Étoile trim is all about “art, combined with architectural creativity, excellence and the spirit of high-quality expertise.” All Étoile spec models will get luxurious Alcantara suede trim. Each trim line will come with its own special badge. Pallas cars will get a badge based on both the frontage of a palace, as well as the historic ‘Axis Of Paris’ — the layout of the key streets and areas of the city including the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel, the Concorde Obelisk, Arc de Triomphe and Arche de la Défense. Étoile cars will have a badge which is inspired by the radial layout of 12 broad streets that converge on Place Charles-de-Gaulle, called Place de l’Étoile until 1970.
The first DS model to get these new trims will be the DS 4, starting in April.