BEIJING MOTOR SHOW: Citroen 'DS2'

Citroen has confirmed it will unveil a new SUV concept at next week’s Beijing motor show (starting April 20). The SUV will be based on the striking Wild Rubis concept and destined for production this year in China – its biggest market.

However, it has not shed any light on the origin of four seemingly official sketches that surfaced on the internet last week, revealing a sleek compact five-door SUV bearing a new take on Citroen’s double-chevron grille motif.

Wearing obligatory modern crossover design cue like chunky roof rails, massive alloy wheels with low-profile tyres and matt-black plastic wheel-arch and lower body protection, the vehicle in the sketches could be the next member of Citroen’s DS line, positioned below the C3-based DS3, C4-based DS4 and C5-based DS5.

The French car-maker has not confirmed the legitimacy of the renderings, but they appear far too professional to be frauds and could preview an all-new small premium SUV, perhaps based on sister company Peugeot’s 2008 crossover and possible badged the DS2.

Indeed, Citroen and its Chinese joint-venture partner Dongfeng has confirmed it will reveal an SUV inspired by the Wild Rubis concept, which will enter production in China by the end of this year.

So far confirmed only for Chinese consumption, it will be the third DS model produced at Shenzhen -- alongside the C4 L and C-Elysée -- but could easily become a global model.

Citroen said it will mark 20 years in China (and its best-ever sales in 2013) with a huge presence at this year’s Beijing show.

“Dongfeng Citroën will continue this momentum at the Beijing motor show, revealing a concept car that previews a new production model – also to be made in China – which is set for launch at end of 2014.”

Dongfeng Citroen sold a record 280,000 cars in China last year – up 25 per cent and well ahead of the overall market’s 19.1 per cent growth – through 435 dealerships, making China its biggest market.

“The 2014 Beijing motor show is a key event for DS as China is the premium brand’s number-one growth priority,” said Citroen.

Less than two years after its launch in China in June 2012, Citroen has established 56 DS outlets in Beijing, Shanghai, Canton and Shenzhen, increasing the number of retailers by 65 per cent in the last six months.

The brand’s flagship ‘DS World’ opened in central Shanghai a year ago.

Alongside the Wild Rubis-based, near-production SUV concept, Citroen will also reveal a new D5 5LS R concept, which it describes as a high-performance, luxury sports sedan based on the recently launched DS 5LS.