Citroen streeetches the DS5

Good news if you're planning a hen party with a quirky Gallic twist: Citroen has released a stretched version of its DS5.

Named the DS5LS, it's some 17cm longer than the standard DS5, measuring a vast 470cm from nose to tail. It also previews the new face of the DS5 range, which Citroen says ‘allies force with sophistication' and we say ‘looks a whole lot calmer than the current DS5's sharky nose'. 

However. Unless you're planning to head to China for your hen party with a quirky Gallic twist, tough luck: the DS5LS has been designed for the Chinese market alone, a clear sign that Citroen is focusing its attentions on the world's fastest-growing car market in the face of stagnant European sales.

And with the Chinese preferring to appreciate cars from the rear rather than the front seats, it's no surprise Citroen's first Sino-specific DS is a stretched saloon. A rather luxurious stretched saloon, too: the DS5LS smuggles a whole lot of luxury including massage front seats, reclining rear seats, airliner-style headrests, an air ionizer and on-board DVD player.

All of which sounds rather nice, doesn't it? Any non-Chinese rather liking the idea of a big, wafty, luxury-stuffed French barge? Because, hey, it's not like literally no one bought the C6, is it?