Secret plan for fresh DS three SUV exposed

The DS brand revolution proceeds, and with the thrust upmarket will come a range of fresh products. The existing DS Three, DS four and DS five have all been revamped for 2015, but next on the agenda for PSA’s freshly formed luxury brand is a DS three SUV. Our sensational pictures demonstrate how it may look.

Citroen confirmed DS would become its own premium brand last year, with ambitions similar to those Toyota had with Lexus back in the late eighties. But there’s been no all-new products launched as yet, bar the DS four Crossback – which is essentially a jacked-up version of the revised DS Four.

However, with the request for SUVs in China and Europe seemingly insatiable, DS is prioritising a more conventional budge into that sector. And we understand that a dedicated DS three SUV will arrive alongside an all-new DS three supermini in 2018.

Given the current DS three was launched in 2009, it means a long lifespan for the existing MINI Cooper rival, but the wait is necessary for PSA to design a fresh scalable platform (known as Common Modular Platform or CMP) as a base for up to ten fresh future models.

These include the two DS 3s and even the next Peugeot 208. The investment will come from PSA’s alliance with Chinese state-owned brand Dongfeng. The smaller, sportier DS three hatch is expected to retain the same three-door layout as before, while the SUV will get a more practical and roomier five-door design.

Tell-tale DS styling touches include the DS 3’s shark fin panel (shoved back from B to C-pillar), curvy lines and chrome-covered hexagonal front grille, but it takes on a more purposeful stance with a raised rail height and figure cladding.

Sources say DS has identified the MINI Countryman as one key rival, but that cars such as the Mazda CX-3 and forthcoming Audi Q1 will also be potential targets.

Despite the extra ground clearance, we understand that four-wheel drive won’t be suggested on the DS three SUV, as it would cost too much to adapt the modular platform from front-wheel drive. Besides, DS claims that when four-wheel drive is suggested on smaller, more fashion-led SUVs such as this, it isn’t often taken up by customers.

What we will see are major revisions to the current DS engine line-up, as two thousand seventeen marks the introduction of tougher Euro 6.Two emissions regulations. It’s expected the relatively fresh 1.2-litre PureTech petrol engine will be carried over with only minor efficiency tweaks, but the 1.6-litre THP petrol may see major alterations – or be dropped.

Given the two thousand seventeen regulations are set to be tougher on diesels, PSA will have to invest in upgrading its 1.6-litre BlueHDi engines for the next DS Trio.

Both cars will be produced at the factory in Mulhouse, France. Details are scarce on the overall cabin updates, but DS’s priority to suggest “refinement and avantgarde design” will likely result in improved quality. Rest assured that the company’s distinctive French style will be carried over, too.

Given the premium aspirations of DS, we can expect a kicking off price of inbetween £18,000 to £20,000. As a result, it’ll sit ahead of the likes of the Renault Captur, but in line with Mazda’s CX-3.

Read our group test of the cars that the fresh DS three SUV will have to hammer here.

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