Shanghai 2017: Citroen DS Unveil DS 7 Crossback for Asian Market

Citroen’s sister brand, DS automobiles has unveiled the DS 7 Crossback crossover SUV just ahead of the 2017 Shanghai Auto Show, for the first time in Asia. The first model of the second generation of DS cars, it will go on sale in Asia in the next few months, following its European launch.

DS plans to introduce the DS 7 Crossback initially, in China, a market where it offers the DS 6 model, currently a bestseller for the company.

Yves Bonnefont, CEO of the DS Brand added, “The Shanghai Motor Show is an essential event for our brand. With DS 7 Crossback, unveiled for the first time in Asia at the salon, we are celebrating the opening of a new phase in our worldwide development. Designed in Paris, this car will be in production in Shenzhen within a few months. This new addition will consolidate our range of SUVs.”

The Crossback will feature a number of new DS aesthetic highlights – at the front, the vertical DS Wings features a newly-designed diamond-shaped radiator grille, with the DS emblem at its centre, is set in a hexagonal frame. The front hood features two prominent central midribs, centered on the DS logo, while bold front and rear wings lend definition to the SUV’s flanks.

At the rear, full LED the tail lights incorporate a three-dimensional motif that looks like scales to form the lighting signature.

The DS7 will also feature a number of technical innovations such as the DS Connected Pilot suite which adds adaptive cruise control, with lane-keep assist and an automatic parking system.

DS Active LED Vision headlights feature pivoting LEDs capable of projecting a beam that changes length and breadth depending on road conditions and vehicle speed. DS Night Vision, in addition, provides greater visibility during night driving (up to 90 meters) thanks to an infrared camera located in the front grille.

The Crossback is underpinned by PSA Peugeot’s EMP2 (Efficient Modular Platform), which also sees duty on the Peugeot 308 hatchback. The Crossback will also introduce the DS Active Scan Suspension; a system of adaptive dampers capable of scanning and anticipating imperfections in the road surface by use of a camera.

The DS 7 Crossback will be offered with two petrol engine options, producing 180 and 215 horsepower respectively.

There is no confirmation on the displacement of the engine, however, considering PSA Group’s 1.6-litre turbocharged (THP) petrol engine, optimised for the EMP2 platform, is currently available with engine tunes ranging from 150hp to 270hp, it likely could feature in the Crossback too. The engine is coupled to the latest-generation eight-speed automatic gearbox (EAT8) from Aisin.

The Crossback’s interior will feature two 12-inch screens – the first allows for easy navigation and operation of the multimedia interface, while the second screen will be devoted to the driver as the instrument display. The Crossback will also feature a sound system from French acoustics company, Focal.

The DS 7 Crossback was designed and developed in France and will be manufactured in Shenzhen (China) and Mulhouse (France).