Citroën introduced the Citroën DS at the 1955 Paris Motor Show. Designed by Italian sculptor and designer Flaminio Bertoni with engineer André Lefèbvre, the DS attracted enormous attention because of its futuristic aerodynamic body and advanced mechanical systems.
The car used hydropneumatic self-levelling suspension, which allowed it to maintain ride height under different loads. Its braking, steering, and clutch systems were also connected to a high-pressure hydraulic system. The DS offered unusual comfort and stability for its era, although the engineering complexity made maintenance demanding.
The DS name is pronounced in French like “déesse,” meaning “goddess.” Citroën sold the model alongside the simpler ID, which shared much of its body but used less complex equipment. The DS remained in production until 1975 and became one of the defining French designs of the twentieth century.