Paris show: Citroen's Divine DS concept revealed

THE Divine DS concept has been unveiled ahead of its Paris motor show appearance, giving the world an insight into the design direction of DS as it prepares to split from Citroen to become a separate brand.

DS already operates as a separate entity in China, but in the rest of the world it’s a division within Citroen marketed as its premium line of vehicles.

In his “Back In the Race” announcement earlier this year, the new chief executive of Citroen's PSA parent company Carlos Tavares announced that development of DS as a stand-alone high-end brand would be stepped up.

The Divine DS’s unveiling in Europe could signal the start of the brand’s new separate life outside China.

The striking four-door concept is 65mm shorter than the current DS4 at 4210mm in length, but it’s not a hatch back – the roof extends all the way to the bumper. With no rear window, a camera displays the view out the back for the driver.

The Divine DS is as much fashion statement as transportation with the diamond-pattern roof made of alternating satin, matte and opaque textured materials. Down the side of the car a swage line hides the door handles and below it a fin extends from the base of the front wheel arch to rear door.

At the front the grille features diamond shapes which is said to be designed with a conservative look for Chinese buyers, while the headlights use laser technology.

Scissor door openings reveal an extravagant and avante garde cabin with a dashboard that folds and twists its way to the centre console.

A 10.4-inch touchscreen provides driving instruments, while doors are trimmed with ‘Swarovski Crystal fabric’ and the lack of rear window creates what DS designers call a “sophisticated cocoon” for rear-seat passengers.

While the powerplant is yet to be confirmed, the Divine DS will reportedly be powered by the same 199kW/330Nm 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine found in sister company Peugeot's RCZ R.

The Divine DS is set to make its official motor show debut in October at the Paris show, but before then it will appear on Sunday at the Chantilly Concours d’Elegance in France.