Citroen will launch its DS line in China this year and to get things started, the French manufacturer will unveil the hybrid-powered Numero 9 concept at the Beijing Motor Show later this month.
Currently the Citroen DS line comprises DS3, DS4 and DS5 models but according to Citroen, the Numero 9 provides indicative styling cues to the next three variants – C and D-segment premium sedans and an SUV.
The radically styled Numero 9 is another of the reincarnated ‘Shooting Brake’ wagons. Riding on 21-inch alloy wheels, the startling Numero 9 stands just 1.27-metres tall, but its 4.93-metres overall length and 3.0-metre wheelbase afford plenty of interior space.
Power comes from a hybrid drivetrain capable of running for 50kms in electric mode but with 220kW of power on-tap. The petrol engine is a 1.6-litre petrol-turbo with 165kW/275Nm and Citroen says the lithium-ion batteries can be re-charged in 3½ hours.
Performance sounds impressive – zero to 100km/h in around 5.4 seconds and automatic all-wheel-drive in tricky conditions (electric motor driving the rear wheels and the petrol engine driving the fronts).
