DS reveals its first global SUV
First images and details revealed for Citroen's facelifted DS4, including a new Crossback version that's odd-on for OzCitroen's facelifted DS4 has been revealed ahead of its world debut at this month's Frankfurt motor show and its Australian release in the first half of next year.
However, the biggest news is not the DS4's upgraded engines or fresh face – headlined by a DS logo instead of Citroen's historic double-chevron badge for the first time – but a new Crossback crossover derivative that's likely to be sold here.
Confirmed for UK release next year, Citroen Australia spokesman Tyson Bowen said the DS4 Crossback – the first global SUV from DS following the China-only DS6 -- is a strong chance Down Under.
“DS4 was always ahead of its time offering a high-riding, coupe-like design and we are certainly considering the Crossback for Australian market," he said.
"It would make a world of sense to us given the buyer preference here for SUVs, so it's certainly something we feel would do very well here, but first we have to negotiate price and availability."
The Crossback is essentially a high-riding version of the latest DS4, featuring 30mm of extra ride height compared to the already-tall small premium hatchback, fitted with expected crossover design cues like matt-plastic cladding around the wheel-arches, 'skid plates', larger wheels and silver roof rails.
Like the DS4, the Crossback remains front-wheel drive, but just two powertrains have been announced so far – a 95kW/230Nm PureTech turbo-petrol with idle-stop and a manual transmission, and a 90kW/300Nm turbo-diesel with manual and torque-converter automatic transmissions.
In Europe, the upgraded DS4 will be offered with the same two powertrains
the 95kW petrol and 90kW diesel engines, the latter replacing the 2.0-litre HDi engine that powers Australia's sole current DS4 DSport (priced from $40,490).
For the first time in a DS model, the MY16 DS4 will also be produced with a 156kW/285Nm turbo-petrol engine with six-speed manual, plus a 123kW/240Nm turbo-petrol, and 111kW/370Nm and 134kW/400Nm diesels.
Other DS4 – and therefore Crossback – upgrades include the addition of Apple CarPlay connectivity via a new 7.0-inch colour touch-screen display, which has allowed Citroen to reduce the number of dashboard buttons by 12.
New features include a reversing camera, blind-spot monitoring, keyless entry and starting, massage seats and Denon audio system.
Both the 2016 DS4 and the Crossback version wear the same DS-specific grille design that first appeared last year in an attempt to separate Citroen and its premium DS brand. It is complemented by a smooth new bumper design incorporating new headlights with LED and xenon technology.
Citroen says it has sold 115,000 DS4s since the car was launched in 2011, accounting for about 20 per cent of all DS sales since the sub-brand was launched with the smaller DS3 hatch in 2009.
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