The DS4 in France
A few times a year I hire a car. I drive a 1995 Land Rover Discovery, which could hardly be describes as sporty. Occasionally I drive Fiona’s Seat Altea – but not too often at the moment as the gearbox went on our last outing – so much for the reliable modern car. So I look forward to getting into a newish car with luxuries such as air-con that works, gears that don’t require two arms to operate and brakes that do more than suggest slowing down.
Invariably I a disappointed. Last year I upgraded to an Alpha only to be given a Renault Modus - which was like driving a Smiths song around.
Earlier this year my hopes were raised in Nice. Will a Meganne coupé be big enough for you sir? I grabbed it quick with images of Nicole and va-va-voom knowing the same Modus or a Scenic were lurking in the next bay.
What French idiot decided the words Diesel and Coupé could be used in the same room – let alone the same car. Worse was to follow – a six speed gearbox ensured you were never quite in the wrong gear. Car also seemed to roll badly through corners.
My love for it didn’t improve when I reversed it into a wall resulting in a heavy excess bill – not really the cars fault.
So, when I arrived at Barcelona last week I was given an automatic. With a 300 mile motorway drive ahead of me I took it – how bad could it be?
Well, once I’d walked back to the desk and told them about the scratches in the huge car which, when I tried my key in, turned out to be the wrong one, everything turned out OK.
Once you’ve worked out to get past third gear and stop the engine screaming you need to put in “A” then it’s a six speed diesel, but in automatic form it works great as you’re always in the right gear.
I later discovered you can put it in flappy paddle mode – but why would you want to? (Perhaps I’m reaching that automatic age.)
The DS4 In Spain
I did have a C4 a couple of years ago – my only complaint was the ugly digital speedo in the middle. The speedo here was in the right place, had digital and analogue (lit) and a rev counter all a nice shade of blue and green.
Plenty of room in the back and boot held two big suitcases. Bluetooth stereo – first good use of Bluetooth I’ve ever seen meant I could use spotify, hands free mobile and Google Navigate (Sat Nav) from my HTC.
On the motorway superb, comfortable and plenty of grunt. On the French and Spanish A roads plenty of acceleration to pass trucks and caravans.
Went around a few twisties in the hills around Toulon, for a high car it held the road well – OK, I’m not a rally driver, or even a boy racer, especially with my family on board, but none the less, the car felt firm and stable through the corners and didn’t roll as I expected it might because of its height.
No Handles
Looks nice – and is cleverly disguised as a two door. In fact I spent some time trying to work out how the seats folded when I picked the kids up in Nice! Handles in back door are hidden!
Back windows didn’t roll down which was a bit strange.
No dents (yet)
Has reversing sensors to stop me crashing into walls. Actually I turned this off when parking as it just beeped. Also had some sort of eco thing that turned the engine off when stopped – always seem to start in time.
So, after 1800km or so – I have to say – great car!
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