New Citroen DS5 - SCOOP in AutoExpress

[andmcit]

TAKE a look at Citroen’s electric dream! Auto Express has learned there will be a hybrid diesel model in the french firm’s showrooms by 2011 – and it’ll be this flagship four-wheel drive DS5.

The largest model in its eagerly- anticipated DS premium range – kicked off at the Geneva Motor Show with the MINI-rivalling DS3 – the DS5 will boast a striking body, inspired by the C-Sportlounge concept car, first revealed at the 2005 Frankfurt Motor Show.

And to go with its head-turning looks, it’ll boast the eco-friendly diesel hybrid powertrain, which pairs an HDI diesel engine with an electric motor that drives the rear wheels.

The unit will also be used in sister brand Peugeot’s 3008 crossover vehicle (driven in Issue 1,060). The French firms’ parent company PSA said: “The innovative technology delivers a multitude of benefits - considerable fuel savings and around a 35 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions.”

The Peugeot will be the first to market in early 2011, and will have the honour of being the world’s first diesel hybrid passenger car. And while the firm remained tight-lipped on price, its spokesman revealed: “French HQ has always said that it wants the price premium over the diesel version to be less than £2,000.”

The transmission – officially known as the PSA HYbrid4 diesel-electric technology – is being developed at two existing factories in Mulhouse and Sochaux, France. Teams at both are currently working on how best to set up the production lines to manufacturer the new cars, and other future models, which will get the hybrid system.

Seems Citroen is being more adventurous with it's production models for a welcome change notwithstanding it's nice concept cars
such as the C-Sportlounge - the basis for the SCOOP image above - it's quite a thing from the near identical pictures seen below
although I'd much prefer to see a production C- Metisse than YET another people carrierish type Citroen. Mind I do like that
4x4 inspired "crossover coupe", the Hypnos...









Andrew

[andmcit]

As if to contradict the previous info in the AutoExpress article, the following mixes up references to the concept cars a bit:

http://www.carsuk.net/citroen-ds4-citro ... rossovers/

The publicity for the push by Citroen for a more up-market position in car buyers minds started in earnest when details of the Citroen DS Inside Concept were first revealed back in February. That was followed up by the reveal of the DS Inside Concept at Geneva the following month, followed by more details of the Citroen DS3 in the following months.

And now Citroen are starting to feed out some information on the DS4 and DS5 which, you will not be stunned to learn, are based on the C4 and C5.

The Citroen DS4 is in effect a production version of the Citroen C-Lounge Concept and will be a high-riding crossover, aimed at the likes of the Nissan Qashqai, and sit at the top of the continuing C4 range along with the Picasso and the C4 hatchbacks.

The Citroen DS5 is a production version of a much newer Citroen Concept – the Hypnos Concept – which we saw at Paris last year. This is a ‘Style’ crossover – think BMW X6. In fact, the concept is similar to the plans Ford has for the Ford Kuga Coupe, and is aimed at those who are looking for quality, style and individuality in a more mainstream car. Although unlikely to feature the more off-the-wall (for a mainstream car) concept features like the suicide doors and chameleon upholstery, it will be similar in shape to the Hypnos and the DS5 will feature a diesel Hybrid power plant, as we revealed last month.

Meanwhile, plans for the DS3 are moving forward and we should see the Citroen DS3 launch in production form at Frankfurt in September. Citroen say that although the DS3 is based on the C3 it will have a completely bespoke skin and will carry in to production the majority of the features of the DS Inside Concept, albeit in a more practical form.

This whole DS plan is very interesting to watch, but it remains to be seen if Citroen can re-aligh itself to compete in a market currently dominated by Audi. But the GTbyCitroen Concept, which is at Goodwood next month, will also help the public re-think its perception of Citroen, and if the DS cars are special enough we could see a real renaissance for the French car maker.

Read more: http://www.carsuk.net/citroen-ds4-citro ... z0LcALMGSq