The French brand hopes that fewer options for the available trims will make it easier for their customers to decide
- The new trim structure will debut in the DS 4 in early summer
- The Etoile is the new flagship trim
- DS says both versions will offer “comprehensive equipment”
Those closely watching the news may have observed a trend among automakers to streamline their lineups by drastically reducing trim levels and packages. Taking a bold step in this direction, DS Automobiles has announced that its entire range will be exclusively offered in two trim levels – Pallas and Etoile.
The new trim names are intentionally tied to the automaker’s country of origin, France, and will be joined by distinct emblems on the vehicles.
Starting with the Pallas, it makes a comeback as it was first used in the Citroen DS in 1964. The name is inspired by the “Palace Accolade”, awarded to France’s most luxurious five-star hotels. On the other hand, the logo depicts the door of a large Parisian palace. While it will be the entry-level trim for DS models, it will offer “comprehensive equipment”, in line with the positioning of the brand. Note that DS is one of the three premium brands within the Stellantis, alongside Alfa Romeo and Lancia.
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The Etoile is the new flagship trim of DS, named after the Place de l’Etoile, which is the former name of the Place Charles-de-Gaulle road junction. For those who haven’t visited Paris, this is where the famous Arc de Triomphe sits, overlooking the Avenue des Champs-Élysées. Etoile is also the name of the ultimate status granted to Opera National de Paris ballet dancers. The dedicated logo for the Etoile trim was inspired by the “luminous radiation of the twelve avenues” leading to the busy junction.
DS Automobiles hopes the new lineup will provide “greater clarity to customers”. Still, we wouldn’t be surprised if the Pallas and Etoile would be joined by special editions like the fashion-inspired Espirit de Voyage, albeit with limited availability.
The new trims will be introduced in early summer, starting with the DS 4 compact crossover. The DS 3 subcompact SUV, DS 7 compact SUV, and DS 9 midsize sedan will follow shortly. Besides the existing offerings, the French automaker is expected to introduce a flagship fastback crossover alongside a fully electric version of the DS 4 later in 2024.
