Citroën has disclosed the Divine DS concept car ahead of its official global unveiling at next month’s Paris motor show.
Described by DS boss Yves Bonnefont as being “avant garde” in terms of design, the compact 4-door car is 4.21 metres long and 1.98 metres wide. The vehicle indicates the future styling direction to be taken by the French carmaker’s expanding DS brand.
At the front, the car features the ‘DS Wings’ signature that was first seen on the DS 5LS. In the centre, the radiator grille incorporates floating diamond shapes, of different sizes and in varying shades of chrome, that reflect light to give what the designers call a “spatial effect”.
Viewed from the side, the car’s lines form a sweep along the length of the vehicle. The waistline emerges as a circle around the rear lights and tapers away at the front, while a signature chrome strip also serves to conceal the door handles.
Another key styling feature is the roof, whose form is meant to recall the scales of a reptile according to the designers. Playing on contrasts, these scales feature alternating effects – matt and satin, opaque and transparent – to play on the light inside and outside the car through changing reflections. The scale pattern extends over the rear window and can also be seen on the door mirrors.
On the inside, a single continuous drape enfolds the console and dashboard, forming a twist as it reaches the door inserts. The airy-looking drape is said to have been inspired by the world of haute couture. Other features include a rectangular steering wheel, toggle switches decorated with gemstones and, in the middle, a digital clock with a stone set in its surround. The seats, meanwhile, represent a new take on the existing DS watch strap design.
Underneath, the Divine DS is equipped with a turbocharged direct-injection 1.6 THP petrol engine that develops 270 bhp and maximum torque of 243 ft lb between 1,900 and 5,500 rpm. The engine is also Euro 6 compliant and emits 145g/km of CO2.
Source: Citroën
