THE stunning Citroen DS5 DSport Hybrid4 200 has all the ingredients needed to give a car the wow factor.
It is crammed with technical wizardry, packed full of goodies and it even offers decent driving dynamics and an interesting drive.
It boasts modern lines and comes complete with 19-inch black and grey alloys, tinted rear and tailgate windows, LED headlights, twin oval exhaust pipes.This car also came in striking white pearlescent paint which made it stand out even more.
Citroen claims the interior has been inspired by the world of aviation and I certainly found it hard to argue on that score. I have never seen so many switches in one car and it was all a bit over the top for my taste.
The dash is set out like a cockpit and 12 overhead buttons control features like the three-part glass sunroof, interior lighting and emergency functions.
The level of on-board technology is amazing and you cannot fail to be impressed even if you find it all a bit confusing.
The car came with heated leather seats with a quilted black and white finish which looked as if they had been based on a killer whale. A little garish perhaps but they were comfortable enough.
The cabin also offers dual-zone digital air conditioning, a colour head-up display which can be adjusted, cruise control, satnav, electronic parking brake plus a decent sound system compatible with all media devices. It also has a flat-bottomed multi-function steering wheel which looked great but felt a bit odd.
Inside the designers have made excellent use of space and there is plenty room for front and rear seat passengers with bags of leg, head and shoulder space for five adults to travel in comfort.
A large boot comes complete with an under-floor compartment and there are numerous smaller storage areas throughout the cabin including one that runs underneath the central console which separates the front seats.
I enjoyed the excellent all-round visibility and the comfortable ride but I found the lack of a Park on the selector a bit of a nuisance.
You can select from a choice of driving modes and athe automatic transmission offers the option of changing gears manually via steering wheel-mounted paddle shifts.
The DS5s handling was surprisingly sporty for a car of its size and provided excellent comfort for longer journeys
It has a comprehensive list of safety features and driving aids such as a reversing camera and lane departure warning system as you would expect in a luxury brand.
This car is the final piece in Citroen's DS range and was designed to provide a good-looking alternative to the premium German brands.
It certainly stands out from the mainstream and is bursting with technology, as well as being well kitted out.