65th birthday of the DS “Tiburón”

Last Tuesday marked the 65th anniversary of the unveiling of the DS “Tiburón” at the 1955 Paris Motor Show.

DS Automobiles is known as a luxury brand that embraces the most advanced technology and always stays at the forefront of design and safety. We have seen this in current models such as the new DS9 and DS7, and in upcoming ones such as the DS Aero Sport 2020.

But now let’s talk about history. Back in 1955, at the Grand Palais, the French firm unveiled a model radically different from anything seen until then. Before journalists and visitors who crowded the surroundings, the DS “Tiburón” was presented, what is today considered one of the most unforgettable events in the brand’s history.

Why?

On the very day of the presentation at the Show itself, visitors placed 12,000 orders. At the same time, the press unanimously praised the design and behavior of this new model. Perhaps it was unsurprising to impress in an era when there were not so many models, but 65 years later, it remains one of the icons of 20th-century French automotive design.

This model was the fruit of the creativity and ingenuity of André Lefèvre and Flaminio Bertoni. Since the 1930s, this engineer and sculptor respectively had left their mark on legendary models. In the 1950s it was the turn of the DS, which would later reshape the automotive landscape.

The fusion of aesthetics and technology produced a perfect harmony in which aerodynamics, comfort and precision combined into unparalleled functionality. Journalists of the time praised its dynamics and its ride comfort. Today’s journalists do too. The French model has aged very well.

Inside, the DS showed meticulous attention to detail. The dashboard and instrument cluster are still a work of art today. Moreover, this car is a benchmark in ergonomics. The driver can reach all the car’s controls without letting go of the steering wheel. For many millennials this is normal, but in an old car it was practically unthinkable.

But without doubt, technology was the defining feature of the event. The suspension, steering and brakes were the most outstanding elements of this legendary car. The hydropneumatic suspension replaced traditional damping springs with spheres, considerably increasing comfort, and its road behavior was outstanding. Another novelty was power steering, quite similar to that of today’s models.

And finally the disc brakes, something previously seen only at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. They were fitted as standard to the front brakes of the DS from its launch. Linked to high-pressure hydraulic power steering, they provided greater comfort and excellent deceleration power.