Citroen DS DS 23 Pallas

Citroen DS DS 23 Pallas

The Citroen DS 23 Pallas with manual transmission represents a distinctive choice within the DS range, combining the most powerful engine option with the direct engagement of a conventional manual gearbox. While the majority of DS models were equipped with the brand's innovative semi-automatic transmission, the availability of a true manual option appealed to drivers who preferred the traditional connection between hand, clutch, and gear selection. The manual DS 23 Pallas is consequently one of the rarer and more interesting variants for the dedicated DS enthusiast.

Powered by the 2,347 cc inline four-cylinder engine producing 141 horsepower in its highest state of tune, the DS 23 was the most powerful series-production DS. The manual gearbox allowed drivers to extract the maximum potential from this engine, holding gears to higher RPM and selecting ratios with a precision that the semi-automatic system, for all its sophistication, could not quite match. The combination created a DS that felt meaningfully more sporting than its semi-automatic counterpart, while retaining all of the model's legendary comfort and refinement.

The Pallas trim level brought its full complement of luxury appointments to this sporting specification. Leather seats, enhanced sound insulation, additional chrome detailing, and the comprehensive equipment that defined the Pallas experience created an interior environment of quiet sophistication. The juxtaposition of this luxury with the manual transmission's engagement made for a particularly satisfying ownership proposition, the driver could revel in the mechanical act of driving while passengers enjoyed supreme comfort.

The hydropneumatic suspension system continued to define the DS 23 experience regardless of transmission choice. The self-leveling capability, adjustable ride height, and extraordinary ride quality remained unaltered, and the manual transmission's deletion of the hydraulic clutch actuator actually simplified the hydraulic circuit slightly. The inboard disc brakes, powered directional steering, and headlamp directional system all continued to draw from the central hydraulic supply.

The DS 23 was produced from 1972 to 1975, representing the final evolution of the DS before its replacement by the equally innovative CX. During this period, Citroen was undergoing significant corporate turmoil, eventually being acquired by Peugeot in 1974. Despite these organizational challenges, the DS 23 represented the most polished and refined version of the design, benefiting from two decades of continuous improvement.

Manual transmission DS 23 Pallas models are among the rarest DS variants, as most buyers opted for the convenience of the semi-automatic system. This scarcity, combined with the enthusiast appeal of the manual gearbox, has made well-preserved examples particularly sought-after in the collector market. The manual DS 23 Pallas offers a driving experience that is uniquely engaging within the DS range, combining the model's legendary comfort with a level of driver involvement that the semi-automatic cars cannot quite replicate.