Citroën DS4 Named 2012 Gay Car of the Year in France
French site Ledorga awards the Citroën DS4 its annual Gay Car of the Year prize for 2012, with the Range Rover Evoque and Mini Coupé following behind.
The Citroën DS4 has been voted the 2012 Gay Car of the Year by French website Ledorga, securing 396 points in the annual poll and placing ahead of the Range Rover Evoque and Mini Coupé. The result was announced in January 2012, with the DS4 taking the top spot among a field of ten contenders.
Citroën DS4 Wins 2012 Gay Car of the Year in France
About the Award
Ledorga’s Gay Car of the Year is decided by a poll of readers and contributors from the French LGBT community. The award, now in its eighth year as of 2012, aims to highlight vehicles that resonate with this demographic, whether for their design, image or perceived lifestyle fit. While the criteria are subjective, the poll has become a regular feature in the French motoring calendar and is recognised for its focus on style and identity in car culture.
How the Citroën DS4 Secured the Title
The Citroën DS4, launched in 2011, is a compact hatchback with premium ambitions, positioned above the C4 in Citroën’s range. Its distinctive styling and upmarket interior were cited by Ledorga as factors in its appeal. The DS4’s victory was by a margin of 31 points over the Range Rover Evoque, itself a high-profile new entry in the premium compact SUV segment at the time. The Mini Coupé completed the top three, reflecting the award’s emphasis on style-driven models.
Citroën’s DS line was developed to offer a more design-led and luxurious alternative to its mainstream models, and the DS4’s coupé-like profile, bold front end and distinctive detailing helped it stand out in a crowded market. The car’s appeal to the LGBT community, according to the poll, lay in its combination of modern looks and an image that aligned with contemporary urban lifestyles.
The DS4’s win is seen as recognition of Citroën’s efforts to inject flair and individuality into its line-up, and the award brings attention to the importance of image and design in car buying decisions, particularly among style-conscious demographics.
2012 Gay Car of the Year: Top 10 Ranking (Ledorga.fr)
| Position | Model | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Citroën DS4 | 396 |
| 2 | Range Rover Evoque | 365 |
| 3 | Mini Coupé | 347 |
| 4 | Citroën DS5 | 295 |
| 5 | Volkswagen Beetle | 222 |
| 6 | Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster | 169 |
| 7 | Audi Q3 | 146 |
| 8 | Lamborghini Aventador | 134 |
| 9 | Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet | 129 |
| 10 | BMW 1 Series | 127 |
Previous Winners and Broader Context
The Gay Car of the Year award has previously gone to the Peugeot RCZ in 2011, Fiat 500C in 2010, Alfa Romeo MiTo in 2009 and Fiat 500 in 2008. The list of past winners shows a mix of compact cars, convertibles and style-led models, with the Aston Martin DB9 and Alfa Romeo Spider among earlier recipients. This diversity suggests that the award is not restricted by price, segment or performance, but is instead focused on cars that make a statement or have a certain design cachet.
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2011 | Peugeot RCZ |
| 2010 | Fiat 500C |
| 2009 | Alfa Romeo MiTo |
| 2008 | Fiat 500 |
| 2007 | Alfa Romeo Spider |
| 2006 | Aston Martin DB9 |
| 2005 | Mini Cabrio |
The 2012 shortlist included a broad range of vehicles, from the Volkswagen Beetle to the Lamborghini Aventador, indicating that the award’s criteria can encompass everything from city cars to luxury sports cars. This breadth reflects the varied tastes and priorities within the LGBT motoring community and highlights the wide appeal of design and image across different types of vehicles.
Citroën DS4: A Closer Look
The Citroën DS4 was introduced as part of Citroën’s push to rejuvenate its brand image. The DS4 features a raised ride height, hidden rear door handles and a driver-focused cabin. The car was marketed as blending the practicality of a hatchback with the style of a coupé, and it was available with a range of petrol and diesel engines. The DS4’s interior was notable for its use of high-quality materials and customisation options, which were intended to appeal to buyers seeking something more individual than the average family car.
| Body style | 5-door hatchback |
|---|---|
| Engines | Petrol and diesel options |
| Notable features | Distinctive styling, upmarket interior, customisation options |
| Market positioning | Premium compact segment |
Significance of the Award
The Gay Car of the Year award is a unique recognition within the automotive industry, shining a spotlight on the intersection of car culture and identity. For Citroën, the DS4’s victory provided valuable publicity and underlined the success of its strategy to appeal to style-conscious buyers. The award also demonstrates the influence of LGBT communities in shaping trends and preferences in the automotive market, particularly in France.
