60TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DS: THREE ICONS TO OPEN THE FESTIVITIES

This year marks the sixtieth anniversary of the 1955 DS. Three icons  ?  the original DS,  DS 3 WRC and Sébastien Loeb  ?  are joining forces with the DS brand to celebrate the anniversary of this legendary car and support the launch of the new brand.

All three icons will be in Monte-Carlo this month: the DS 3 WRC and Sébastien Loeb today, for the start of the 83rd Monte-Carlo Rally, and the DS 21 in a few days for the 18th Monte-Carlo Historic Rally.

This year will see a variety of meetings, shows and special events, along with other surprises yet to be announced by the DS brand.

On 6 October 1955, the DS 19 made its debut under the glass dome of the Grand Palais in Paris. Visitors rushed to buy the car, which sold 12,000 examples in one day. The styling and high-tech innovations of the DS made it a legendary car, one that is still talked about today. “It was only natural for us to celebrate the anniversary of the historic DS at a time when the brand is beginning its first full year of existence. We are building the brand on the exceptional heritage of this car to bring customers cars that combine outstanding styling and technology, comfort and driving sensations, premium materials, refinement and attention to detail,” explains Yves Bonnefont, DS CEO. For this reason, a multitude of events are planned around the world in 2015 to celebrate this sixtieth anniversary.

THE DS BRAND BRINGS TOGETHER THREE ICONS IN MONTE-CARLO

Opening the festivities, three icons will be present in Monte-Carlo this month:

DS 3 WRC with its new 2015 livery featuring a large “60” on the rear wings and Sébastien Loeb – nine-time World Rally Champion – will both be on the starting line for the 83rd Monte-Carlo Rally today.

A sports version of the 1966 DS 21 will be taking part in the 18th Monte-Carlo Historic Rally (28 January - 4 February). Stamped with the brand logo and carrying the number 21, the DS will be on the starting line at Reims on 30 January, with Bob Neyret at the wheel. A nod to history, as Bob Neyret has already claimed two victories in the Monte-Carlo Rally at the wheel of a DS.

INTERNATIONAL MOTOR SHOWS IN THE SIXTIETH ANNIVERSARY COLOURS OF THE DS

DS is also taking part in events dedicated to vintage car enthusiasts, such as Rétromobile (Paris, France, 4 - 8 February) and Techno-Classika (Essen, Germany 15 - 19 April), as well as international motor shows in Geneva (Switzerland, 5 - 15 March), Shanghai (China, 22 - 29 April) and Frankfurt (Germany, 19 - 27 September). The brand will be celebrating the 60th anniversary of the DS with original exhibitions of vintage vehicles, with new vehicles placed alongside the historic DS.

FAN MEETINGS TO CELEBRATE THE SIXTIETH BIRTHDAY OF THE DS

DS enthusiasts all over the world will be celebrating the 60th birthday of the DS, as in Belgium (on 26 April) or in Australia (2 and 11 October). One of the main international events, set to take place on 22 and 23 May at the historic Montlhéry track in France, is set to bring together 700 vintage DS vehicles.

DS WEEK: A MAJOR EVENT TO CELEBRATE THE SIXTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DS AND LAUNCH THE BRAND

Between 19 and 22 May, the DS brand will be welcoming representatives of its global network to Paris, the home of DS. On the weekend of 23 and 24 May, the brand will be organising events for the general public in the heart of Paris.

The meeting place will be the Tuileries Garden.