Spyshots: 2011 Citroen DS5

Scheduled for a September debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show this year, the new Citroen DS5 is undergoing extensive winter testing at the arctic circle. After the well received DS3 and the recently unveiled DS4, Citroen’s DS5 is the third model in the DS-line and, like his little sisters, it looks differently than the C5 it is based on, although these first spy pics from Scoopy leave much to the imagination.

While the DS3 is a three-door hatchback model, and the DS4 is more of a five-door crossover hatch, the DS5 will undoubtedly take the crossover theme into an estate platform. The company has previously described this as a “luxurious grand tourer”, proving that the DS range didn’t have to stick to the original roots of the cute DS3.

At the base of the DS5’s design stands the C-sports lounge concept, first revealed by the French carmaker in 2005.

We don’t know for sure what will power the new Citroen model, but the DS5 will most likely feature the new HYbrid4 technology. This could consist of a 2.0-liter HDi engine that is coupled to an electric motor, together developing around 200 horsepower. The system, which was developed for the Peugeot 3008, would also include four-wheel drive as standard.

Other powertrains will be fitted as well, with the 1.6-liter mill developed in partnership with BMW looking like an obvious choice. Citroen could also consider the 2.0-liter HDi with 140 horsepower or 163 horsepower plus a 2.2-liter HDi unit with 204 horsepower. The DS5 is designed to be somewhat affordable, with the model expected to cost somewhere around €27,000 ($37,000).