Citroën’s DS Brand Will Launch Three All-New Models in a Year in China, No Replacement for C5

The recently unveiled DS 5LS is the first of three all-new luxury models that Citroën’s DS brand will roll out in China over the course of the next year. The French carmaker is planning a major expansion of the DS line that will also include an SUV previewed by the DS Wild Rubis concept and a flagship luxury model inspired by the Numero 9 study.

Citroën’s managing director Frédéric Banzet told Autoexpress magazine that China’s premium sector is a key market for growth and this explains the company’s big investment into a new DS plant in Shenzhen together with Chinese partner Changan. The plant has already started making the DS5 in September, with the new DS 5LS sedan to be produced from March 2014.

“During the downturn we went through some difficult times, and we had to prioritize certain projects. We had to back the investment in China, as the whole business is far too reliant on Europe,” Banzet said about Citroën’s focus on China.

The next model that will be produced in Shenzhen is the production version of the DS Wild Rubis SUV study in the second half of 2014, with the plant estimated to reach a maximum production capacity of 200,000 units by 2016.

Finally, the third DS model that will launch in China will be a large luxo-barge arriving in 2015 and inspired by the spectacular Numero 9 concept.

Citroën doesn’t rule out that some of these models, particularly the SUV, may arrive in Europe at some point, provided that build quality will be high enough. As for its European lineup, Banzet told the UK publication that the C5 mid-size sedan is unlikely to get a direct replacement model because of a huge drop in D-segment sales in recent years.

By Dan Mihalascu

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Citroën Unveils DS3 Cabrio Racing in Production Clothes

Following its presentation in pre-production guise at the Goodwood Festival this summer, the Citroën DS3 Cabrio Racing has been confirmed for production, with orders starting in January 2014.

The production model looks very similar to the concept and follows the same philosophy of combining the performance of the Citroën DS3 Racing with the pleasure of half-open-top driving offered by the DS3 Cabrio.

Since the latter is only 25 kg (55 lbs) heavier than the DS3 hatchback, the difference in performance will be basically undetected.

The DS3 Cabrio Racing features chrome-finish, twin exhaust pipes and genuine carbon finish on several bodywork components – air diffuser, semi-rigid splitter in the front bumper, wraparound body sills, wing flares and others.

Available with an all-new body color, matt Moondark grey, combined with a black roof and gloss-black 18-inch Nemesis alloy wheels, the DS3 Cabrio Racing also features Carmin Red paint on the wheel centers along with the DS logo, and on the doors in a wide strip.

On the inside, Moondark Grey bodywork color is also used on the upper dash, center console, instrument panel and other interior trim items, while the steering wheel inserts and the fascia panel cap have a carbon fiber effect. The headrests of the front seats feature the Citroën Racing signature, while the base of the gearshift lever has a numbered identification plaque.

Under the hood there’s the same 1.6-liter turbocharged engine from the DS3 Racing, but with slightly more horsepower - 207.

Order books open on January 2, with deliveries starting at the end of January. Citroën didn’t say how many units of the DS3 Cabrio Racing will be built, but since the DS3 Racing hatchback is limited to 1,000 units, the open-top variant could be even rarer.

By Dan Mihalascu

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Citroen Officially Reveals its Chinese Spearhead, the New DS 5LS [w/Video]

Sounding like a much sportier car than it will ever be, Citroen's first DS-branded model, the new 5LS, is a bold and brash sedan with a weird face, sleek lines and distinct Alfa Romeo proportions at the back, plus a chrome strip running the length of the car (again, though this time it’s thinner).

It measures 4,700mm in length, 1,840mm in width, and 1,500mm in height, and it will be aimed specifically at the Chinese market; production will exclusively take place locally, in Shenzen.

Its interior is in the vein of the other larger DS models, and from the sole photo we have of it, it looks okay. The funky watch-strap seats like those of the DS5 will be present too, even if we don’t see them yet.

The big talking point will probably be the front-end design, which is said to hark back to the original DS, though, I honestly don’t see it. The plan is to make this the new face of the sub-brand.

Power will come from PSA’s turbocharged 1.6-liter petrol engine with either 158hp (160PS) or 197 hp (200PS) and will be sent to the front wheels exclusively via a six-speed automatic transmission.

It goes on sale in China in March of 2014 and will be available through a 50-strong dealer network around the country. Citroen didn't say if or when it will offer the car outside of China.

By Andrei Nedelea

Live pictures via Autohome

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VIDEO

First Official Photos of Citroën's DS-Branded 5LS Sedan for China

Citroën is supposed to unveil the new DS 5LS luxury sedan today, but the first seemingly official photos have already leaked on the web.

Following the teaser from a week ago that only let us see the design of the alloy wheel, now we can admire the luxury sedan that will be the first DS model sold under the DS badge – the car features no Citroën logos or hints, except for small Citroën lettering at the rear.

We learn that "LS" comes from Luxury Sedan and the "5" from the five themes of the car: "inspiration, dynamism, quality, vanguardism and healthy life".

Based on the same platform as the DS4/DS5 and the C4, the DS LS5 is 4,720mm (186in) long, which makes it 190mm (7.5in) longer than the DS5 and 60mm (2.3in) shorter than the Citroen C5. It’s 1,840mm (72.4in) wide and retains the wheelbase of the C4 – 2,720mm (107in).

The 5LS features design cues from the DS Wild Rubis crossover concept, especially the grille and the headlights. The interior takes inspiration from the DS4. The only engine mentioned is a 1.6-liter turbocharged gasoline unit with 200 hp. The car will launch at the end of March 2014 in China and will be built in Shenzhen.

Stay tuned for official details as Citroën will officially unveil the car later today at the Musee du Louvre in Paris.

By Dan Mihalascu

Story References: Autoblog.nl and TF1

Thanks to Jean-Philippe for the tip!

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