A Brief History of the DS Engine

The DS was originally designed to have a horizontally opposed 6-cylinder engine, which was to be mounted in front of the front axle. The engineers developed both air and water colled versions. Unfortunately neither was successful, and when time ran out they had no choice but to use the 20 year old Traction Avant inline 4-cylinder engine, fitted with a state-of-the-art cylinder head. It was configured similarly to that of the Traction Avant, behind the front axle, as this was the only place where it would fit. Prototypes of both 6-cylinder boxer engines still exist.

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