This week, Stellantis owned DS has launched its first saloon car, with the DS 9. Sales started on Thursday this week here in the UK, with prices starting at £40,615. Big French saloon cars have always had a certain appeal to them, with Citroen launching the iconic C6 back in 2006.

DS is looking to take on the same segment in the market as the E-Class, 5 Series and the A6 with the DS9 offering a good choice of engines and electric options. The DS 9 has two engines on offer, a 1.6-litre petrol engine with 222bhp which can only be had as a combustion only version, or a 1.6-litre petrol with 178bhp which is combined with an electric motor, which has an 11.9kWh battery and a 108bhp electric motor.

At some stage in the DS 9 model life, DS will be offering a much more powerful version, again in hybrid form but with 355bhp. That model will also have four wheel drive.

Inside the car, the standard model has 19-inch alloy wheels, black Alcantara seats, LED headlights, 12.3-inch infotainment screen, keyless start and unlock, reversing camera and much more.

The DS 9 is on sale now, from £40,615.