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Citroën·Sedan

DS 21 Pallas

1955-1975
D-Type
D-Type1954-1957
12/175
XKSS1957-1957
XKSS
Citroën DS 21 Pallas 1955 - Front 3/4 viewCitroën DS 21 Pallas 1955 - Front viewCitroën DS 21 Pallas 1955 - Side viewCitroën DS 21 Pallas 1955 - Rear 3/4 viewCitroën DS 21 Pallas 1955 - Rear viewCitroën DS 21 Pallas 1955 - Dashboard viewCitroën DS 21 Pallas 1955 - Interior viewCitroën DS 21 Pallas 1955 - Detail viewCitroën DS 21 Pallas 1955 - Engine Bay viewCitroën DS 21 Pallas 1955 - Gauges viewCitroën DS 21 Pallas 1955 - Trunk view
Front 3/4
Design icon

The Goddess. Hydropneumatic suspension, directional headlights, fiberglass roof, semi-automatic gearbox — all in 1955. 20 years ahead of everything.

History

When the DS debuted at the 1955 Paris Motor Show, 12,000 orders were placed on the first day. Its hydropneumatic self-leveling suspension, power brakes, and power steering were revolutionary. Even the name is a pun: DS in French sounds like 'deesse' (goddess). It survived an assassination attempt on President de Gaulle despite being shot multiple times.

Timeline

1955Paris Motor Show: 743 orders in the first 15 minutes, 12,000 by end of day. Nothing else looks like it
1962Saves President de Gaulle's life: after an assassination attempt, the DS drives to safety on three tires thanks to hydropneumatic suspension
1975Production ends

Production & Heritage

Production Total1,455,746
DesignerFlaminio Bertoni / Andre Lefebvre
Production Period1955-1975
Estimated Value$40K-$120K

Value estimates are editorial assessments based on recent auction results and market trends.

Technical Specifications

Engine2.2L Inline-4 (DX2)
Power109 hp @ 5,500 rpm
Torque154 Nm
0-60 mph13 sec
Top Speed175 km/h
Transmission4-speed semi-automatic (hydraulic)
DrivetrainFWD
Weight1,280 kg
Drag CoefficientCd 0.38
BodySteel unibody, bolt-on panels

Engine Details

Engine CodeDS 21 injection
Displacement2.2L (2,175 cc)
Bore x Stroke86 x 85.5 mm
Compression8.75
Fuel SystemBosch electronic fuel injection

Performance

0-100 km/h13 sec
0-60 mph13 sec
Top Speed175 km/h
Weight-to-Power11.7 kg/hp

Dimensions

Length4,870 mm
Width1,790 mm
Height1,470 mm
Wheelbase3,125 mm

Chassis & Suspension

Front SuspensionHydropneumatic, independent
Rear SuspensionHydropneumatic, trailing arm
Front BrakesDisc, inboard
Rear BrakesDisc, inboard
SteeringPower-assisted, self-centering (DIRAVI)
Tires180 HR 15

Capacity

Fuel Tank63 L
Trunk Volume500 L
Doors4
Seats5

Source: Citroen / Wikipedia

Tags

FWD1970s1960sSedanFront-EngineNaturally AspiratedInline-4LegendaryTechnical PioneerDesign Icon

Designed by Flaminio Bertoni / Andre Lefebvre

From the 1950s

Featured in

Pininfarina, Bertone, Giugiaro: The Holy Trinity of Italian Design

Featured in Collections

Design IconsThe UnderratedBefore 1990

References & Sources

wikipedia.org
Wikipediawikipedia.org
citrocom
Citroen Heritagecitrocom

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