In South Africa, we are already well acquainted with the Citroën DS3, while CAR will be attending the launch of the new DS4 next month. The latter is bigger than the compact hatch DS3 and is billed as a coupé. To round off the DS range, the French automaker has just shown the biggest model so far, the five-door hatchback DS5, at the Shanghai Auto Show.
According the Citroën, the DS5 will slot into “the executive segment and target customers looking for a truly bold and assertive car”. From the three pictures so far supplied, you can definitely see that the word “bold” suits this car. Few manufacturers are as daring as Citroën, after all. Filling the aggressively styled hatch’s arches is a range of 16- to 19-inch wheels.
On the inside, the distinctive design continues with several nifty combinations of colour and materials. Just have a look at the steering wheel, facia and those door inserts!
However, the design isn’t the only selling-point. The DS5 will use a hybrid drivetrain consisting of a small-capacity diesel engine and an emissions-free electric motor. Full details aren’t available yet, but Citroën has confirmed that the system will have a power output of 149 kW and a CO2 figure of 99 g/km.
Citroën SA is planning on bringing the DS5 to South Africa but nothing has been confirmed. If it does make it to SA, expect it here in early 2012.
