BEIJING MOTOR SHOW: Citroen's first DS SUV

Citroen has revealed its first DS-badged SUV, the 6WR, following the appearance of sketches across the internet earlier this week.

Confirmed to make its word debut at the Beijing motor show on April 20, the DS 6WR will become the third DS model to be built at Shenzhen in China, alongside the DS5 and DS 5LS.

So far the first DS SUV has been confirmed for sale only in China – by the end of this year – but expect other markets, including Australia, to follow.

The 6WR was previewed by the even more strangely named Wild Rubis concept revealed at the 2013 Shanghai show and will be joined by another locally built model to be unveiled in the coming months.

Although the Wild Rubis measured 4700mm long and, because it was larger than the DS3, DS4 and DS5, was expected to be badged the DS7, the 6WR is much smaller at 4550mm long, 1860mm wide and 1610mm tall.

According to Citroen, its long 2730mm wheelbase, 19-inch wheels and “generous dimensions meet the needs of premium SUV buyers in terms of space, versatility and dynamics”.

Instead of all-wheel drive, the front-drive 6WR employs Grip Control, which is claimed to benefit fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

Two four-cylinder turbo-petrol engines – the e-THP 160 and THP 200 -- will be offered in China, both matched with six-speed automatic transmissions.

Design features of the 6WR include a chrome-finished side signature motif with aluminium bars, highly sculpted rear wings and a new grille design featuring two chromed ‘DS wings’ that connect it to the xenon headlights with ‘tuning fork’ daytime running lights.

DS initials are embossed on the side of each tail-light cluster, while the wraparound tailgate is underlined by a chrome finish and twin exhaust outlets.

Citroen celebrates 20 years in China this year and, with its local joint-venture partner Dongfeng, sold a record 280,000 cars there 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.

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.