Citroen DS4 & Citroen DS5 – the Crossovers

Citroen Hypnos Concept will be the basis for the new Citroen DS5

Update 12/2/2010: Citroen has now revealed the DS 4 in concept form as the Citroen DS High rider Concept.

The publicity for the push by Citroen for a more up-market position in car buyers minds started in earnest when details of the Citroen DS Inside Concept were first revealed back in February. That was followed up by the reveal of the DS Inside Concept at Geneva the following month, followed by more details of the Citroen DS3 in the following months.

And now Citroen are starting to feed out some information on the DS4 and DS5 which, you will not be stunned to learn, are based on the C4 and C5.

The Citroen DS4 is in effect a production version of the Citroen C-Lounge Concept and will be a high-riding crossover, aimed at the likes of the Nissan Qashqai, and sit at the top of the continuing C4 range along with the Picasso and the C4 hatchbacks.

Check out the Citroen DS5 Photo Gallery

The Citroen DS5 is a production version of a much newer Citroen Concept – the Hypnos Concept – which we saw at Paris last year. This is a ‘Style’ crossover – think BMW X6. In fact, the concept is similar to the plans Ford has for the Ford Kuga Coupe, and is aimed at those who are looking for quality, style and individuality in a more mainstream car. Although unlikely to feature the more off-the-wall (for a mainstream car) concept features like the suicide doors and chameleon upholstery, it will be similar in shape to the Hypnos and the DS5 will feature a diesel Hybrid power plant, as we revealed last month.

The Citroen C-Lounge Concept is the basis for the new Citroen DS4

Meanwhile, plans for the DS3 are moving forward and we should see the Citroen DS3 launch in production form at Frankfurt in September. Citroen say that although the DS3 is based on the C3 it will have a completely bespoke skin and will carry in to production the majority of the features of the DS Inside Concept, albeit in a more practical form.

This whole DS plan is very interesting to watch, but it remains to be seen if Citroen can re-aligh itself to compete in a market currently dominated by Audi. But the GTbyCitroen Concept, which is at Goodwood next month, will also help the public re-think its perception of Citroen, and if the DS cars are special enough we could see a real renaissance for the French car maker.

By Cars UK