French giant Citroen is taking its luxury DS range to the next level! The company is set to launch a new flagship saloon to compete head-on with Mercedes’ S-Class, as well as the Audi A8 and JaguarXJ. And Auto Express has learned it will be badged DS9.
Designed to show just what the upmarket DS sub-brand is capable of, the newcomer will take its lead from the Metropolis concept, which was revealed at the Shanghai Expo back in May. And it will also be built in China.
Speaking to Automotive News China, Citroen’s head of Asian operations, Gregoire Olivier, said: “The Metropolis will happen, it will become a real car."
“The styling elements will be used for a high-level Citroen to be developed in China. We want to build up the premier line in the country, and this concept is central to this approach.”
The Metropolis uses the C6 executive saloon’s platform, and is 5.3 metres in length – that’s longer than an A8 LWB. It has a 2.0-litre petrol V6 mated to an electric motor, which delivers 460bhp and CO2 emissions of 70g/km.
A similar powertrain is expected in the DS9, although details have yet to be finalised. Scheduled to enter production in late 2012, the DS9 will be built as part of Citroen’s joint venture with the Changan Automotive Group in Guangdong province.
