THE arrival of a new DS 4 marks the second chapter for the French company that gained its own prestigious identity in June 2014.

Until that date, all DS models carried the Citroen badging along with its styling traits such as the company chevrons.

But those days are a distant memory as the DS brand marches forward with its aim to design and create premium vehicles in France.

And the new DS 4 comes in two very different guises. The traditional hatchback is a dynamic, elegant and eye-catching model aimed at customers seeking a premium quality car with sleek styling and great driving dynamics. But there is also an all-new DS 4 Crossback version with go-anywhere looks and a raised driving position.

The hatchback, priced from £19,495, boasts flowing lines, flashes of chrome trim along with two-tone roof and body options, which means customers can select from 38 different colour combinations.

The car also has the signature front end that was introduced on the larger DS 5 saloon including a vertical grille with the DS emblem, distinctive energy-saving LED and xenon lighting technology and a panoramic windscreen for greater visibility.

Move inside and there is luxury at every turn with a clutter-free interior with a seven-inch touchscreen controlling many of the in-car functions.

There are 12 fewer buttons and the screen offers access to features such as music and sat nav etc.

In addition, the DS 4 is the first car in the PSA Group to offer Apple CarPlay compatibility to iOS devices from the iPhone5 onwards. MirrorLink technology can also duplicate both Android and iOS content onto the screen.

Other luxurious features include a soft-touch dashboard, clear instrumentation with adjustable colours, the finest leather upholstery with heated and massaging front seats finished in the stand-out watchstrap design, a full colour reversing camera and plenty more besides.

Customers can choose from two richly-equipped trims - Elegance and Prestige - along with a selection of six Euro6-compliant engines with carbon emissions from 100g/km and combined fuel economy up to 74.3mpg. There is also a choice between manual or fully automatic gearboxes.

The Crossback, costing from £21,745, is based on the Prestige model, but adds a number of more robust styling traits. It has a 30mm raised ground clearance, large black wheels, special wheel arch trims, black mirrors and door sills, a rear spoiler, aluminium roof rails and the CROSSBACK lettering along the tailgate.

We tried a couple of models - one hatchback and one Crossback - on a range of country lanes, fast-moving dual carriageways and quaint villages.

First up was the all-new DS 4 Crossback BlueHDi 120 six-speed sopt/start manual priced at £23,495 (£24,315 with options).

This diesel model can sprint from 0-62mph in 10.9 seconds and tops out at 117mph. It can achieve combined fuel economy of 72.4mpg with carbon emissions of 103g/km.

First impressions are vital and the Crossback really looks the business with its sporty, yet rugged stance and bold action-ready features.

The 1,560cc engine delivered plenty of power and acceleration through the gears was smooth and responsive. The steering was beautifully precise and the road-holding very assured although a little bouncy on particularly poor road surfaces.

All the controls and dials are perfectly placed for driver-usability and the comfort levels within the cabin are excellent. That said; back seat passengers of the taller variety will find the legroom a little restricting.

Elsewhere storage options are good with a deep boot capable of accommodating 385 litres of luggage - a capacity that can be increased with the 60:40 split-folding rear seats dropped flat. And there is a small glovebox, central bin and door pockets to stow away other items.

Next was the DS 4 Prestige PureTech 130 S&S six-speed manual in hatchback form priced at £20,745 (£23,615 with extras fitted). This petrol model can reach 62mph from a standing start in 9.9 seconds and has a top speed of 123mph. It can deliver combined fuel economy of 54.3mpg with emissions of 120g/km.

This three-cylinder 1,199cc model was an absolute delight to drive. It was sharp, responsive and delivered great driving dynamics. It was the car that could be thrown into corners and the handling actually seemed more assured on bumpy roads in comparison to the Crossback model.

This model also featured the Habana full leather pack costing £1,550 which introduced the finest leather watchstrap design seats with massage function and heater feature. It's these extras that truly give the DS range the premium status it is striving to achieve.

We must wait until 2017 for the first all-new DS model to emerge as the company heads towards a six-vehicle line-up, but for now it's the rebranded Citroen DS vehicles with some upgrades and design tweaks that we must make do with.

But like the new DS 5 the latest DS 4 is already displaying a more premium character and seems very capable of standing alone and shaking off any Citroen links.