Citroen has today released images of the new DS 5 which will be unveiled next month in Geneva. The DS 5 marks the introduction of the DS brand standing alone.

The new DS 5 comes with many additional features, like the sculpted, vertical grille with the DS logo in the middle. It comes with full Xenon headlights (in a new headlight design), a touchdrive interface and a range of high-performance engines.

As always the exterior lines are strong, sporty and impressive and we’re told that the interior is extremely refined.

In July of last year we saw a new headlight design in the DS 3 and we see that it has been brought into the new DS 5. According to the brand the headlights are supposed to replicate, and remind people of, jewels.

The new touchdrive interface reduces the number of buttons by twelve inside the vehicle. We’re told that the new screen uses Mirror Screen technology, which copies smartphone content onto the screen in front of you and allows drivers to safely use “relevant” apps while driving.

We’re told that the interior brings to mind “the world of aerospace design”. The car features a cockpit roof, where some of the main controls are placed overhead. Controls are also at a low level near the gear selector. DS tells us that specially designed buttons, dials and toggle switches were inspired by the aerospace industry.

In terms of safety, the new DS 5 will come with equipment including; blind spot monitoring system, lane departure warning function, automatic high beam control, turning headlights that work with the static cornering lighting to optimise illumination, hill-start assist, stability control, intelligent traction control, a reversing camera and a head-up display.

Engines offer between 120 and 210hp and are said to offer on-paper fuel economies of between 3.8l/100km and 4.3l/100km in their diesel models. We have been informed that there will also be a DS 5 Hybrid 4x4 which achieves sub-100g/km of CO2 and the on-paper fuel economy is 3.5l/100km.

Yves Bonnefont, CEO of the DS brand said, "The New DS 5 is more than just a new car. It is the car introducing our brand identity. Sixty years on from the original DS, the new DS 5 carries all the genes of DS. Above all, it is a clear statement of our ambition: to revive the tradition of French premium vehicles."

This new model is set to arrive in Irish showrooms in July 2015.