Citroen Teases Mystery Concept: Is This The New DS9 Flagship?

Citroen has released a pair of teaser images for a new flagship in its DS range, but as to its identity... your guess is as good as ours.

Speaking with Britain's Autocar magazine in 2010, Peugeot Citroen design chief Pierre Ploue described a potential flagship based on the then-new Metropolis concept. 

"A large, characterful DS flagship model - we could call it a DS9 to reference the original DS 19 - could do great things for us," Ploue told the magazine.

For now, the French carmaker has offered only that "the future of the DS line is already taking shape at Citroen".

The styling of the concept reveals a clear connection to the Metropolis, with a low and wide front dominated by the familiar chevron grille, stretching across the face and over the headlights.

Along the mysterious concept's profile, the long roofline reaches back into what could be a wagon rear, suggesting either a "shooting break" sportswagon design, or a long limousine.

A stretched saloon could be exactly what's on the cards: speaking with China's Autoweek magazine at the 2010 Beijing Auto Show, Citroen Asia boss Gregoire Olivier said, "The same styling elements [in the Metropolis] will be used for a high-level Citroen car to be developed in China".

"We want to build up the premier line in China. The Metropolis is emblematic of our approach."

If the car teased here is a new DS-badged prestige limo, it could potentially rival the likes of Mercedes' S-Class, BMW's 7 Series, Jaguar's XJ and the Audi A8. 

At around 5300mm, the Metropolis concept is longer than the long-wheelbase versions of all three of its closest competitors. And, measuring around two metres wide, it carries even more girth than the Maybach 62.

The Metropolis is powered by a hybrid system that pairs a 200kW and 375Nm 2.0 litre V6 petrol engine with a 41kW electric motor. A seven-speed dual-clutch transmission transfers the hybrid system's power to all four wheels.

Citroen has yet to confirm a date for the new car's unveiling, or whether it is bound for production.

With the original Metropolis unveiled in Beijing, and this year's Beijiing Motor Show now less than a month away, a Chinese unveiling for the so-called DS9 (Star Trek fans will love that name) looks likely.

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