Citroen DS 6WR crossover packs its bags for Beijing

Set to make its debut at the Beijing Auto Show is the new Citroen DS 6WR, a crossover inspired by Shanghai 2013’s Wild Rubis concept. This is Citroen’s strongest stab at gaining a foothold in the Chinese market with the DS brand.

Measuring 4.55 metres long, 1.86 metres wide and 1.61 metres tall with a wheelbase of 2.73 metres, the DS 6WR (which the company says is “wild and refined”) is slightly shorter, narrower and taller than the Wild Rubis. It does bear its inspiration clearly, though, judging by the few images provided – the “DS Wings” grille, the basic body shape and much of the surfacing have all been carried over from the earlier concept.

Some of the details have been lost in translation, however, such as the claw-shaped LED headlights and the more aggressive lower air intakes. There are no pictures of the rear so far, although the company did release a teaser of the tail lamps a few days ago. What Citroen does say is that the rear lights “appear to be built into the wraparound tailgate”, which is “underlined at the base by a chrome finish with a twin exhaust”.

Not much has been said about what is under the skin, but we do know that the DS 6WR will not have four-wheel drive – instead, the car is fitted with Grip Control first used in the Peugeot 2008, which “optimises traction on all types of terrain” through the use of the traction control system. Powering the crossover is the familiar Prince engine in e-THP 160 and THP 200 guise, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

The Citroen DS 6WR will be the third DS model to be built in China at its Shenzhen plant in collaboration with Chang’an, and will make its market debut at the end of the year, initially in China. Citroen claims another locally-built model will be unveiled in the coming months.

Live pix by Kwek Chai Li

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