DS First PSA Brand To Receive Autonomous Driving Tech

PSA Group has revealed its second-generation autonomous driving tech will make its debut in next year's DS 7 Crossback model before filtering down to Peugeot and Citroen vehicles.

When the DS 7 Crossback crossover goes on sale early next year, it will get some semi-autonomous systems, such as self-parking, called Park Pilot, and a system monitoring the vehicle’s position on the road, called Connected Pilot.

The information was confirmed to Automotive News by PSA spokeswoman Marguerite Hubsch, who also said the technologies will appear in Citroen and Peugeot models soon after their debut in the DS 7 Crossback.

Currently, the French manufacturer is only offering systems from Level 1 of autonomy, described as “driver assistance.” Those include adaptive cruise control, active braking, and lane-keeping assistance, which are available on many Peugeot and Citroen models, like the Peugeot 208 and 308 hatchbacks, and the Citroen C3, C4 Picasso, and Spacetourer.

Interestingly, PSA Group is taking a somewhat more conservative approach to adopting autonomous technologies compared to other major companies in the industry. For example, the French carmaker says it won't introduce Level 3 features, which are already legal on European roads, before the end of the decade.

One possible reason for that is the fact that PSA is now focused on its global expansion as a company. The conglomerate recently acquired Opel and Vauxhall from General Motors and is beginning its American affair with car-sharing services, which will be followed by promotion and launch of Peugeot. Meanwhile, the Group continues talks with Proton and Lotus for another acquisition.

Peugeot and DS are skipping this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show in another attempt to find new ways of promotion, as the two brands will focus on digital and social media advertising. Citroen will attend the event and will reveal a new product.

Source: PSA via Automotive News