The name is rather odd and at a glance it looks like any of a dozen mid-sized SUVs on the road out there. Nevertheless Citroën will launch the 6WR DS, exclusively for in the Chinese market, at the Beijing Auto Show on April 20.
The DS 6WR comes about as part of a ‘Back in the Race’ plan announced by new PSA chairman, Carlos Tavares. where the ‘DS’ will be emphasized as a premium sub-brand for Citroën. The 6WR takes styling cues from the Wild Rubis concept of 2013; the DS nose, which was first revealed in the Chinese-market 2013 DS5 and it will be featured on all DS models around the world. The hexagonal grille, with its chrome detailing that extends into the headlamps, helps to distinguish its DS brand from Citroën’s C-line models.
The 6WR is slightly smaller than the Wild Rubis concept but about the same size as a Toyota RAV4. Built on the same platform as the DS5 its 4.55m length, 1.86m width and 1.61m height make it bigger than the BMW X3.
The 6WR will be offered with two engine choices: a 197bhp 1.6-litre turbocharged direct-injection four-cylinder, and an e-THP (160 hp) version of the same powerplant both mated to a a six-speed automatic transmission. The e-THP was shown in the Wild Rubis, where it made 225bhp and was mated to a 69bhp electric motor.
There are no pictures of the rear so far, although the company did release a teaser of the tail lamps a few days ago. What Citroën does say is that the rear lights “appear to be built into the wraparound tailgate”, which is “underlined at the base by a chrome finish with a twin exhaust”.
Interior details are also to be announced at the Beijing Auto Show.
Either engine spec will use a six-speed sequential gearbox and offer Citroën’s ‘Grip Control’ anti-skid system that Citroën claims, negates the need for all-wheel drive.
The DS 6WR will be the third DS model to be built in China at its Shenzhen plant in collaboration with Chang’an, and will make its market debut at the end of the year, It will be built on the same platform as the other two models built at PSA’s Shenzhen, China, factory – the DS5 and DS5 LS.