If you want sporty looks without running up a huge benefit-in-kind bill then there are a growing number of fast-looking cars that can be bought without high-performance engines.
French manufacturer DS is the latest to offer this, with its DS Performance Line adding a dose of flair and athleticism to its standard line-up.
It rivals Renault’s GT-Line, the newly launched Ford ST Line, and even in-house competition from sibling company Peugeot’s GT-Line.
How much does it cost?
The new trim can be had on the DS 3 hatchback and Cabrio, plus DS 4 and DS 5 models, and fits between Elegance and Prestige trims.
There are no concrete prices yet but DS estimates a starting figure of £17,900 for the 3, £21,600 for the 4 and £30,000 for the 5, so expect your monthly costs to be somewhere between the bottom and top specs. An Elegance DS 4 with a 1.6-litre diesel engine, for example, is £72 a month for a 20 percent tax-payer.
What does it include?
You get an exclusive paint palette with a stealthy two-tone black with matching gloss black wheels, plus more adventurous tones like Ruby Red and Sport Yellow.
Contrasting this is a highlight package taking in the door mirrors, rear spoiler and bonnet, using the DS Performance Line colours of white, gold and carmine red.
More style inside too
The seats feature a new leather and Dinamica cloth seat mix with a DS Performance Line emblem, while the door panels, gearlever and steering wheel feature contrasting coloured stitching.
You can pick different grained or nappa leather as an option and some models come with metallic cabin highlights and door sills.
All cars now offer LED interior lighting, plus there are LED headlamps on the DS 4 and DS 5.
Same engines as before
Best of all, this performance styling can be paired with the standard engine line-up, so you can draw on the variety of efficient PureTech petrol and BlueHDi diesels.
This ranges from a frugal 99bhp diesel in the DS 3 to a rapid (and probably unpopular with your fleet manager) 208bhp THP unit found in the DS 4 and 5.
If you like the look of this new trim, order books for the DS Performance Line are open now.
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