The Citroen DS Wild Rubis has been revealed ahead of its Shanghai motor show public debut next week, previewing "the vision of a future DS SUV".
Designed as a full plug-in hybrid SUV, the Citroen DS Wild Rubis measures 4.7 metres long, 1.95m wide and 1.59m tall. The concept wears 21-inch alloy wheels and rides on a 2.9m wheelbase.
Citroen has confirmed that the hexagonal front grille with a bold chrome border now represents a "new front-end identity" for the DS line, having already been seen on the Numero 9 concept. A 'DS' badge adorns the central grille, with the Citroen chevron badge on the bonnet. Future DS models will wear this grille.
Complementing the chrome on the grille, a side chrome 'signature' and various sculptured metal finishes including the rear lights encased in chrome are intended to be like a "jewel" around the ruby red bodywork.
The DS Wild Rubis shows an angular front headlight design with C-shape frosted-white daytime lights wrapping around four LED headlight modules.
Described by Citroen as teaming the "the powerful appearance of an SUV with the refined codes of the DS line" on the outside, the company also promises a "feature-rich and versatile cabin" – although no interior pictures have been released.
It was originally believed the Citroen DS Wild Rubis concept was a more production-ready extension of the Numero 9 sports-wagon concept previewed at the Beijing show one year ago.
While the DS Wild Rubis takes many styling cues from that concept, it is much taller and more obviously off-road oriented.
It is unclear whether a production version of the Numero 9 or DS Wild Rubis concept will make it on sale first, but Citroen has confirmed it will continue to expand its DS model line.
A production version of what would be the range flagship in the DS model line could be badged DS6 and utilise the Ford/PSA-developed 3.0-litre twin-turbo-diesel V6 engine used in the now superseded Citroen C6 sedan.
