DS Automobiles is expanding its model range with a new executive saloon, which is poised to take on popular company cars like the Audi A6 and BMW 5 Series.

The newcomer is priced from £40,615 and can be ordered from April 8.

It is based on an extended version of the EMP2 platform that underpins the Peugeot 508, with its longer wheelbase greatly benefitting rear passenger space.

Two powertrains are offered at launch: a turbocharged petrol and a plug-in hybrid. Both deliver 225PS and are front-wheel-drive.

A second plug-in hybrid model will join the range later in the year, with 360PS and all-wheel-drive.

The car comes with high level of standard specification and a focus on comfort and luxury, rather than sports and performance.

CO2 emissions are 155g/km for the PureTech 225 petrol and from 33g/km for the E-Tense PHEV. The plug-in car has an electric range of up to 34 miles and is therefore placed in the 11% Benefit-in-kind (BIK) tax bracket.

Despite having more torque, the E-Tense has a slower 0-62mph acceleration time that the PureTech (8.3 seconds vs 8.1) due to the extra weight of its 11.9kWh battery.

Charging speeds of up to 7.4kW enable the battery to be recharged in 1hr 30 minutes.

There are two trim levels available: Performance Line+ and Rivoli+. The latter is the most luxurious and features a leather-clad cabin, heated and ventilated seats and semi-autonomous driving systems.

The Performance Line+ still comes well appointed, offering active LED headlights, keyless entry, blind spot detection and DS Active Scan Suspension, which reads the road ahead using a camera to adjust the dampers.

Prices for the E-Tense start at £46,100 in Performance Line+ trim, while the Rivoli+ costs £49,200.

The car’s interior is dominated by a 12-inch touchscreen infotainment system, while touch panels and physical switches remain for some functions. There is also a BRM timepiece analogue clock, adding to the upmarket feel.

DS has low sales aspirations for the newcomer, expecting to shift less than 1,000 units per year. Around 80% of DS 9s are expected to go to fleet customers and more than 60% will be E-Tense models.

The DS 9 will arrive on demonstrator fleets in August and be ready for delivery in September.