
The Citroën DS of 1955 was the most significant car of the 20th century changing the face of motoring with its futuristic design and cutting edge technology.
Now that name is back as the stand alone luxury arm of the PSA group, that's Peugeot, Citroën, and now Vauxhall-Opel as well. DS models have been produced since 2011 sitting alongside Citroen but since 2014 the brand has been separated and has aimed at the premium sectors.
Are they mad? No, just smart. The decision to go with an SUV was made years ago and before the surprising popularity of this style of car had really taken off.
Now the market is packed with SUVs of all shapes and sizes and is the only sector where sales are on the up so the DS team got that bit right.
The big question is whether the designers have conjured up something that embodies the same French spirit of adventure that took the world by storm in 1955.
Because of its lineage there is an expectation to produce something special, not easy in a high sided SUV. Going as radical as the original DS would probably have been a step too far so DS7 is fairly restrained on the outside but anything but ordinary on the inside.
Not that this is car without a presence. It has a strong, distinctive face with stunning LED light features. At the front three individual ice cube style modules on either side that do all sorts of wondrous things as well as providing fantastic illumination, and a fabulous 'diamond' strip at the rear.

The real wow factor is reserved for the cabin. This is French chic in full flow with a variety of classy materials and attention to detail. Here diamonds are DS 7's best friend. The theme is everywhere, diamond shaped dials, screen graphics, door panels and dashboard covering. It sounds over the top but as a visual spectacle it works and backed up by ambient lighting in just about any colour.
A 12-inch touchscreen commands the dashboard with quick keys to make selections easier, and there is voice control as well.
The driving side throws up even bigger challenges because of the strength of the opposition, Volvo, Audi, Range Rover Evoque, and that is just scratching the surface.
It works but on some roads can be a disadvantage. The car has three drive modes, normal, sport and comfort with the monitoring operating in just the comfort setting. On roads with poor cambers and pitted surfaces the ride can become unsettled and fidgety.

The line up is Elegance, Performance Line, Prestige and Ultra Prestige with two 1.6-litre eight-speed auto petrol engines with 180 or 225bhp, and two diesels, 1.5-litre 130bhp and 2.0-litre 180bhp. Clean ones at that with CO2 emissions ranging from 107-134g/km.
Prices start at £28,050 for a 1.6 diesel Elegance and topping out at £43,535 for a 180bhp diesel.
The DS 7 Crossback is a big statement on the premium SUV front and the range will soon be joined by an all-wheel drive 300bhp plug-in hybrid.
Did it excite me as much as its Peugeot 3008 cousin? That blew the opposition away and exceeded expectations. DS 7 Crossback met expectations.
Facts
DS7 Crossback Ultra Prestige
Engine: 2-litre BlueHDi 180bhp
Performance: 0-62mph 9.4secs; 134mph
Economy: 57.6mpg combined
Emissions: 128g/km. Road tax £140
Insurance group 31
Price: £43,535
By Steve Rogers
Previously published on Welsh News Extra, Welsh Icons, and Wales Express.